BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWING APAMSA Leadership Development Module

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Radio, television, and the internet gets the news out quickly to a large audience  The interview may be broadcast live or taped  Interesting and unusual stories are most appealing for broadcast media Relations-Oriented Behaviors Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Relations-Oriented Behaviors  Broadcast Media Interviewing Interviewing is a tool to gather information about the story, do not treat as a casual conversation Utilize the Guidelines for Broadcast Media Interviewing to work with broadcast media outlets and prepare your interview Leadership Challenge (29)

Supporting Guidelines For Broadcast Media Interviewing Source: G. Yukl, Leadership In Organizations (New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006, p )  Target the media  Spokesperson  Etiquette  Interview rights  Public service announcements  Crisis media relations

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Target the type of audience to whom the media outlet appeals  Contact the media 3-6 weeks in advance of the news event, talk show, or interview  Briefly declare your event and explain why it is newsworthy  Give a written description of the organization and the person being interviewed Target The Media Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Select an enthusiastic, well-spoken person who is not camera shy  Speak clearly and concisely, pronounce every word fully and state everything as facts  Look at the reporter, not the camera  Turn off all electronic devices and focus on the interview Spokesperson Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Stay calm and collected  Wear cool (soft pastel) and comfortable professional clothing, simple jewelry and light makeup  Do not drink water or chew gum while answering questions Spokesperson Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Stand-up interviews: Keep your hands at your sides, not crossed or in your pockets Keep your feet next to each other, firmly on the ground Do not shift around, fidget, or pick at your clothes Etiquette Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Sitting interviews: Do not swivel in the swivel chair, or just avoid sitting Men cross their legs at the knee, women cross their legs at the ankles with knees together Reporter stands, you stand; reporter sits, you stand or sit Stay at level with the camera Etiquette Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  You have rights to: Decline an interview Ask gist of interview and its use Ask what type of questions will be asked Set the interview time and location Name of the interviewer Have legal and PR counsel present Not answer a question Ask for the question to be repeated Be treated with respect, dignity, honesty, and fairness Interview Rights Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  You have rights to: Clarify an incorrect assumption or statement Stop the interview Not speculate Not know the answer and ask for time to research it Review an issue before answering questions about it Follow up regarding questions or issues during coverage Interview Rights Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  You do not have rights to: A list of all interview questions in advance Speak on behalf of an organization you are not affiliated Be dishonest Review the article or segment before publication or air time Interview Rights Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Low-cost way to reach target audiences with a brief message of community interest  PSAs can raise community awareness about your cause or event Public Service Announcements Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Format: Submit in 10-second (25 words), 20-second (40 words), or 30-second (60 words) lengths Keep the message simple, short, and to the point Type on 8 ½” x 11” paper, double space and 1” margins Your contact information in the upper left corner Public Service Announcements Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Broadcast Media Interviewing  Format: Type release dates in upper right corner “Start” date to begin airing and “Kill” date to stop airing Type the word count and time in seconds at the bottom left margin (e.g., 40 words – 20 seconds) Public Service Announcements Source: Ohio Arts Council -

Relations-Oriented Behaviors  Broadcast Media Interviewing Radio, television, and the internet gets the news out quickly to a large audience Interviewing is a tool to gather information about the story, do not treat as a casual conversation Utilize the Guidelines for Broadcast Media Interviewing to work with broadcast media outlets and prepare your interview Summary

Relations-Oriented Behaviors  Ohio Arts Council dia.asp  Free Management Library Sources