Talking to the Press

Number 2 2004 • EDUCAUSE QUARTERLY 61 What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone tells you a reporter wants to talk to you? If you thought, “How can I make this quick and painless?” you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for professionals to equate talking to a reporter with a visit to the dentist. Neither is pleasant, but both are often necessary. Many professionals—not journalists, of course—complain about their news coverage. Perhaps you’ve heard a colleague say, “That story doesn’t get the facts right.” Or maybe, “Reporters always quote me out of context.” “Journalists don’t understand our field well enough to report on it accurately.” And the kicker, “If journalists weren’t always looking for a sensational story and misinterpreting the facts, audiences wouldn’t get so upset about situations that aren’t really serious.” Sound familiar? Still, the answer is not “If it’s a reporter, tell her I’m not here.”