[Editor's Note] One of our most popular past newsletters involved interview tips for dealing with news media. So here are some more hints and tips. I hope you find them useful.
-- Don Martin
More Tips on News Media Interviews:
Listen carefully to each question. Don't begin forming your response until after you have heard everything.
Stay passive in your facial expressions to avoid the perception of agreement or disagreement with the question being asked. Stay non-committal....it just may have an unexpected ending or statement at the end of the question, while you have been nodding "yes" all along.
Treat all questions equally. Avoid editorial comment such as "that's a good one," or "that's a tough one," etc...
Never hesitate to ask a questioner to restate for clarity. If several questions are asked at once, insist on answering only one at a time. Or simply repeat the question that you intend to answer.
Repeat positive questions verbatim! It ensures you have heard the question and gives a few more precious seconds to consider your response.
Always re-phrase negative questions! Don't let a negative question or comment pass. Rephrasing allows you to take control of the tone and emphasis of the question.
Never repeat hostile language or you just may end up being quoted as having made the statement yourself.
If the questioner is making a speech in lieu of a question, interupt if necessary. Ask "What is your question?" politely but firmly.
You can often end an interview by saying "there have been a lot of issues raised but the key points are these....." then rattle off your main points or positive statement, leaving the interview on a positive note and with your issues at the forefront.
