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After a month of doing #COVID19 media interviews, here are some random things I’ve learned about talking to the press as a scientist.
A #scicomm reflections thread
A #scicomm reflections thread
Lesson 1: trust is a 2-way street
You’re being interviewed b/c people trust you. Don’t violate that trust by confusing opinion with fact. Be clear if you don’t know.
But it’s also important that *you* trust the journalist—with ur science & with ur reputation (“brand”).
You’re being interviewed b/c people trust you. Don’t violate that trust by confusing opinion with fact. Be clear if you don’t know.
But it’s also important that *you* trust the journalist—with ur science & with ur reputation (“brand”).
Lesson 2: some terminology
“On background” means your comments & quotes can be used but you won’t be identifiable. (This is probably what you mean when you think you want to be “off the record”)
“Off the record” means they can’t use your quotes or comments either—so why bother?
“On background” means your comments & quotes can be used but you won’t be identifiable. (This is probably what you mean when you think you want to be “off the record”)
“Off the record” means they can’t use your quotes or comments either—so why bother?
Lesson 3: timelines
These are *so* much shorter than in academia. If you want to contribute to a story, make sure to reply ASAP.
If you can’t reply until later, don’t be offended or surprised if they end up not using your quotes. It’s not about what you said.
These are *so* much shorter than in academia. If you want to contribute to a story, make sure to reply ASAP.
If you can’t reply until later, don’t be offended or surprised if they end up not using your quotes. It’s not about what you said.
Lesson 4: pick up the phone
Journalist’s requests often include a phone number. Don’t bother with email tag, just give them a call when you have a free moment.
Also, if you’ve talked to journalists by phone, answer *your* phone when it rings—it’s probably another quick request
Journalist’s requests often include a phone number. Don’t bother with email tag, just give them a call when you have a free moment.
Also, if you’ve talked to journalists by phone, answer *your* phone when it rings—it’s probably another quick request
Lesson 5: tracking
Keep track of the articles you’ve contributed to with a Google News alert for your name.
Save the articles somewhere, or if you’ve got a wonderful sister like I do have her do the saving
(
u @mssarahradz)
Keep track of the articles you’ve contributed to with a Google News alert for your name.
Save the articles somewhere, or if you’ve got a wonderful sister like I do have her do the saving
(u @mssarahradz)
Lesson 6: pass the mic
Had a request but don’t have time or expertise? Politely decline & suggest a colleague—preferably an early career, minority, or other underrepresented scholar.
This is a big win-win: maintain a good relationship with the journalist *and* help a friend!
Had a request but don’t have time or expertise? Politely decline & suggest a colleague—preferably an early career, minority, or other underrepresented scholar.
This is a big win-win: maintain a good relationship with the journalist *and* help a friend!
Lesson 7: evaluate yourself
Once the media is out, make sure to read/listen/watch it. Think about whether you used simple words or jargon, talked too fast or slow, looked angry or confused or bored...
Self-evaluation is scary tho, so it’s okay to start with asking your bestie
Once the media is out, make sure to read/listen/watch it. Think about whether you used simple words or jargon, talked too fast or slow, looked angry or confused or bored...
Self-evaluation is scary tho, so it’s okay to start with asking your bestie
That’s a wrap, but if you’ve read all the way here I’m gonna ask you for a favor.
Have you seen/heard/read any articles, interviews, etc I’ve done? What did you think? Was I clear? Confusing? Boring? Obnoxious? What did I do well & how can I improve?
(But plz also be nice
)
Have you seen/heard/read any articles, interviews, etc I’ve done? What did you think? Was I clear? Confusing? Boring? Obnoxious? What did I do well & how can I improve?
(But plz also be nice
)
