Can journalists be trusted?
25/05/2016
Short answer. No.
One of the great mistakes that many people make in public life – or when the media invade their private life – is that they think that the reporter/journalist at the other end of the ‘phone/email/door is a potential friend.
They are not. Their sole intent is to get their story.
And some (not all) are none too fussy as to how they get it. Some have even trained with disreputable English tabloids in the dark arts of media subterfuge.
They are trained to be, in effect, amateur psychologists, taught how to gather news stories, both at polytechnic/university and in their own newsrooms. Most especially, they are taught to pretend to be your friend.
And because New Zealanders are fairly trusting individuals, most people are friendly back.
We want to help, it’s in our nature.
As a result, we will often say things that we probably shouldn’t. Or in a way, especially if we’re flustered, that we definitely shouldn’t.
The result? We are too open for our own good, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Or we say something that we didn’t intend, with a meaning that wasn’t what we were thinking at all.
Over the years, tens of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders have woken up the next day – glanced at the news story that involves them – and been horrified at the outcome.
Your words seem to have been twisted, misrepresented, misunderstood. But too late: the damage is done.
And if we are in a genuine disagreement with someone else, then those words have just taken on a life of their own. The other group or individual are now irritated, upset or annoyed.
So a destructive war of words starts … that leaves both you and them somehow lessened in the public eye.
The only happy person is the reporter. They’ve created a story and a grievance, and that grievance has given them a new story.
And they’re still not your friend.
So, the first lesson when the media contacts you?
Breathe.
Think.
Then breathe again. And if it feels like trouble … call us.
We will shape your message. We will be your messenger.