Damm, I hate reporters.

Las Vegas Review Journal article, where I'm quoted (Meijin club president, but I sound like a complete @#$%ing gimp)

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-14-Mon-2004/news/24054917.html

Counterpoint, Las Vegas Sun article. same subject different author.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/jun/14/517014589.html?anime


What pisses me off is: I talked to the bitch who wrote the first article for almost an hour and she quotes something from the mere three minutes that I was rambling off stupid shit about Last Exile. Anyone else have this problem?

Wow Mr. Baum, you're one old lookin' dude!



Hah-hah, but seriously -I've dealt with the press on several ocassions and these are my helpful hints:

Good lessons for dealing with the press:
(1) Go in with a game plan: know exactly the points you're going to make and don't deviate if you don't want the deviations to go on the record. If you must, say what you're saying is off the record, but be careful to not come off as a prick otherwise it will taint the reporter's portrayal of you.
(2) in some cases, when they want to talk to you they're sometimes looking for something in particular they think someone in your position will supply. To help make things easier, its perfectly okay to ask a reporter "What exactly do you want my opinion on" or clarify something a little vague. Sometimes a reporter doesn't know what they're looking for so they might just want your general opinion (in which case, stick to my first point).
(3) Try and limit yourself to 3 or 4 points. It will make your points clearer and avoid having things irrelevant made as your main points.

good luck next time
(and you didn't come of particularly bad, you're just annoyed because you know how good you could've come off. I've felt that before)

I generally hate reporters with a passion. They'll tape their own mother being shot in the face if they think it'll help get them the Pulitzer.

One of my favorite vids ever posted here was one by Bobak where some streaker ran right up to a news anchor woman and screamed, and then ran off again. I <3 that guy, and no, not like that you sick bastards

Hey now!
Don't be hatin' on us now, although those two links you posted led me to some truly horrible writers.

Bobak gave some excellent tips, and here are a few things I look for:
1) There is always a summary question. This must be done in as many words or less, or else run the risk of becoming convoluted. A good journalist will ask for clarification on points that may be a tad confusing, but play off the reporter for this one. If it's a technical mag, give the points only absolutely necessary in the terms that would apply to their base users. If a mainstream or news publication, simplify and think, "How would I explain this to a noob?"
2) The technical questions. These are to supplant the previously given knowledge. A technical publication may be familiar with your subject and ask you with pinpoint precision to speak on certain areas that may be of interest to their readers. Most, however, will not know what you are talking about but the lesser reporters will pretend. Gauge them for yourself, and throw a question back at them - Was there anything I should explain further? Was there anything in there that you wanted to ask me about? If they show a moment of confusion, they're absolutely lost. A quick reply shows confidence, whether they are in familiar territory or not.
3) The end. This is where a bad interview can take a turn for the better. If you notice they are trying to wrap things up, throw out something that could be a witty summary, introduction or tidbit to what you had already told them, but only if it is relevant. This could lead the reporter to inquire further, and may develop the angle of the piece, or could even provide them with a solid lead/close and the story would just fall into place.

Unless it's a magazine article or an expose, the interview should not last more than 30 minutes. Expect closer to 15-20, so make sure that the only things you say are what you want the people to know. That way, if you are taken out of context, you know it was the reporter.

I'm no expert by any means, as I am still a young one, but having done at least a thousand of these and watching others, these are some tips for if you ever are interviewed again.

GoSpits said:

Hey now!
Don't be hatin' on us now, although those two links you posted led me to some truly horrible writers.

Click to expand...

That's why I said generally - I still <3 you, man

Don't talk to 'em. Simple as that. If they try to force you tell them to get a real job and stop harassing you. That's what I'd do anyways.

galfordo said:

I generally hate reporters with a passion. They'll tape their own mother being shot in the face if they think it'll help get them the Pulitzer.

One of my favorite vids ever posted here was one by Bobak where some streaker ran right up to a news anchor woman and screamed, and then ran off again. I <3 that guy, and no, not like that you sick bastards

Click to expand...

Most journalists, and please do not group tabloid writers as journalists, by law abide by a legal code of ethics. Unfortunately in today's world, the old school of journalism has been thrown out the window thanks to editors and owners that aren't actually journalists or those in the field, but rather businessmen.
The endless pursuit of money means that the news gets shifted off to the side in favour of sensationalism. The cure for cancer would be pushed to page seven if it meant the second coming-sized headline of Boy Mauled by Wombat and a tasteless photo of the child covered by a tarp while his parents sob at the edge of the scene.
So, in essence, I agree with you, Galfordo, but please remember that there are still those that strive for the truth, aim to report the news in an unbiased manner, and show humanity and tact when handling delicate issues.

Oh, and by the way:

That's why I said generally - I still <3 you, man

Click to expand...

Down boy!
/me sprays Galfordo with water bottle.

galfordo said:

One of my favorite vids ever posted here was one by Bobak where some streaker ran right up to a news anchor woman and screamed, and then ran off again. I <3 that guy, and no, not like that you sick bastards

Click to expand...

http://snkguitarist.com/vids/newsstreaker.avi

SonGohan said:

http://snkguitarist.com/vids/newsstreaker.avi

Click to expand...

.... I take back all the bad stuff I said about you, SG. <3 <3 <3

If someone ever did that to me, I wouldn't be able to stop laughing. I am in print and web journalism, so no video but I'd try and take pictures and post them up on here, much to the chagrin of the party involved.

Hey, if they didn't want the attention, they shouldn't wiggle their parts out in the open, right?

You should know better than to speak to anyone affiliated with the Review-Journal.