Talking to the Media Talking to the media can help get environmental health messages of health, safety, and equity to your community. Input from experts like you raises the visibility of the expertise of environmental health professionals. Here are some tips on how to talk to the media. If you have a public information office, contact them before responding to the inter - view request. They can help screen the reporter, help you formulate your message, and help you practice it. Umm … hmmm... eheh.... Lets practice. I ’ ll be the reporter. “ How will this chemical spill impact the community? ” Don ’ t worry. Always stick to your three messages. If you don ’ t know the answer, you can say you don ’ t know. I picked 3 main messages, but I ’ m worried they will ask me something I don ’ t know!
Be #1 News moves fast. If you want to be included in the narrative, respond promptly. The more you do, the more likely reporters will come to you in the future.
Take 2 During the interview, if you get flustered, lost, or confused... pause, gather your thoughts, ask clarifying questions, and answer clearly. It’s ok to stop and start again. Remember it ’ s ok to “ take 2 ” if you get lost or flustered. You can always restart a sentence to get your facts right. Let ’ s try it again. Take 2!
Oh wow, the Daily Orbit wants
to interview me about the factory chemical leak! We have to reply right away to make sure they get the story right.
Use these phrases as an alternative to “I don’t know”:
I don ’ t have the answer at my fingertips, can I get back to you on that question?
First stop, Public Information O ce!
I don ’ t know about that;
what I do know is …
Interview your interviewer. Ask them the purpose of the story, the audience, and then schedule a time for an interview.
I ’ m sorry, that ’ s outside my area of expertise.
That isn ’ t something I focus on, but (colleague ’ s name) might be a good person to talk to.
I picked 3 main messages, but I ’ m worried they will ask me something I don ’ t know!
I am not the right person to answer that question at this moment.
Don ’ t worry. Always stick to your three messages. If you don ’ t know the answer, you can say you don ’ t know.
The interview doesn’t stop when the recorder is off. Anything said to a reporter can be reported.
Lets practice. I ’ ll be the reporter. “ How will this chemical spill impact the community? ”
Umm … hmmm... eheh....
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