Dealing with the media

[Susan Gawarecki <loc@icx.net>]

Jeffrey may be right, but I've found that with a little effort, you (as
a rational scientist) can connect with local media and be the one called
for an opinion when something like this happens.  When you see a local
news story that is biased, call or e-mail the reporter and give him/her
the scientific perspective on the story.  Be nice.  Be helpful.  Leave
your phone number and promise to comment on future news if called. Do
this as many times as necessary.  Then, when the reporter does call,
provide good information in sound-bite format in lay language.  Speak
slowly so he/she gets good notes.  This is the hard part, as you may be
hearing the news for the first time from the reporter.  Find out the
newspaper's deadlines, so you can follow up with additional information
in a timely manner.  Reporters are people too, and they want to do a
good job and be accurate.  If you can make the science interesting and
forceful, that sells newspapers as effectively as does the
fear-mongering.

> I would disagree,  The main reason UCS is quoted is it makes better news.
> It sells more.
> 
> Jeffrey S. Vollmer

My opinions only.
-- 
==================================================
Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director
Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee, Inc.
136 South Illinois Avenue, Suite 208
Oak Ridge, Tennessee  37830
Phone (423) 483-1333; Fax (423) 482-6572; E-mail loc@icx.net
VISIT OUR UPDATED WEB SITE:  http://www.local-oversight.org
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