interacting with the media
TRANSCRIPT
63rd RRC Media Relationsfor Family Members
How to make a positive impression in a media age
Today we’ll cover
• Types of interviews• Things to consider before agreeing to an
interview• Things to Avoid• What You Should Do• What to NEVER Do• Discussion• Questions?
Types of Media Interviews
• Telephone interviews
• Face-to-face interviews
• On-camera standup
• In studio
• Live Remote
• News conference
Things to Consider
• It is your right engage or decline any media interview
• You represent the military as much as your family member
• There is no such thing as “Off the record”
Things to Avoid
• Don’t speculate about future operations or mobilizations– OPSEC
• Please speak only for yourself or your family, and about your own feelings and experiences
• Don’t use acronyms and technical jargon– The general public won’t get it
• Be accurate in your statements. It is okay to say “I don’t know”
• Be positive: talk about your family member and how proud you are of their work
• Remember: You have the right to end an interview at any time.
What You Should Do
You should NEVER
• Air your grievances during an interview
• Reveal classified or sensitive information - this includes deployment destination, prior to leaving (location after return is okay)
• Never say, “No comment”• Don’t argue or get angry
Geraldo Rivera – best known for drawing a map in the sand during OIF I and showing the
locations of hundreds of troops in Iraq. He was temporarily banned from reporting there after
putting countless lives in danger.
Discussion Questions
• What are positive things about your family member that you could discuss during an interview?
• What are some things you shouldn’t reveal about the unit?
• Is there something your unit or family member does that creates a stronger bond during a deployment?
Questions?