Arizona's Own Espresso Pundit: Simply Unprofessional
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Governor Ducey held a 40 minute press conference yesterday in which he discussed the latest COVID trend lines. His briefing was complex and the tone was serious. The press conference served as both update and warning, but it had a side benefit. The length, complexity and tone of the conference showed how pathetic and unprofessional stunts like this are.
The media rarely cover the events on Ducey's schedule. They use his schedule as a vehicle to ambush him. This tactic provides a win/win for TV Reporters like Nicole. The Governor isn't going to stand in 110 degree heat and give her a private 42 minute briefing, so he will inevitably end the conversation and she will continue to ask him questions while she chases him to the car. That evenings' clip may include one of his answers but the clip and Tweet will always include him ignoring questions while hustling to the car. This tactic makes the interviewer look tough and the politician look defensive. It's a bullying tactic. Brahm Resnik and Joe Dana are especially fond of it.
Here's an example of what happens when a politician stays to answer questions. Here, Michele Reagan stayed to answer questions but Brahm Resnik used a screen shot of her getting into an elevator AFTER the interview to claim that she dodged his questions.
Here is where KPNX corrected the story (after my post) and disclosed that Reagan did indeed stay for the interview.
The media like to argue that chasing elected official through parking lots is the only way that they can get answers. That's clearly not the case with Ducey who has held numerous lengthy COVID updates. In fact, later that same day, he held a press conference in which announced and explained the school reopening procedure that he and Superintendent Hoffman have planned. Then, of course, on the day after Nicole's ambush, Ducey held the 42 minute conference that I mentioned above.
How should elected officials respond? As you saw in the Michele Reagan example, stopping and answering questions doesn't work, and as you saw in the Ducey example, holding a lot of press conferences doesn't work.
Media professionals suggest that the target simply say "no comment". I've pointed out that this response doesn't work.
There are two tactics that elected officials can use in order to stop this abuse. First, Ducey's security team could create space for him to leave by sealing the room for 30 seconds until the Governor is in the car. No one would be allowed to follow him out the door or chase him through the parking lot. This would be perceived as heavy handed and to his credit, Ducey hasn't used this tactic.
Another tactic would be to turn the tables. Reporters have questions that they don't want to answer. Elected officials have plenty social media savvy supporters who could ask reporters about the weakness of their coverage, or the privilege of their background while filming them walking to their car. This tactic is a bit heavy handed as well, however, there is a long history of the right adopting tactics of the left...and then the left complaining that the right has "weaponized" this tactic.
The whole problem would be solved if the media would adopt a simple professional standard. Don't try to make yourself look tough by chasing the Governor through a parking lot.
Arizona's Own Espresso Pundit: Simply Unprofessional
« Team Ducey's Defining Moment | Main | Laurie Roberts in her own words »
Governor Ducey held a 40 minute press conference yesterday in which he discussed the latest COVID trend lines. His briefing was complex and the tone was serious. The press conference served as both update and warning, but it had a side benefit. The length, complexity and tone of the conference showed how pathetic and unprofessional stunts like this are.
The media rarely cover the events on Ducey's schedule. They use his schedule as a vehicle to ambush him. This tactic provides a win/win for TV Reporters like Nicole. The Governor isn't going to stand in 110 degree heat and give her a private 42 minute briefing, so he will inevitably end the conversation and she will continue to ask him questions while she chases him to the car. That evenings' clip may include one of his answers but the clip and Tweet will always include him ignoring questions while hustling to the car. This tactic makes the interviewer look tough and the politician look defensive. It's a bullying tactic. Brahm Resnik and Joe Dana are especially fond of it.
Here's an example of what happens when a politician stays to answer questions. Here, Michele Reagan stayed to answer questions but Brahm Resnik used a screen shot of her getting into an elevator AFTER the interview to claim that she dodged his questions.
Here is where KPNX corrected the story (after my post) and disclosed that Reagan did indeed stay for the interview.
The media like to argue that chasing elected official through parking lots is the only way that they can get answers. That's clearly not the case with Ducey who has held nu
merous lengthy COVID updates. In fact, later that same day, he held a press conference in which announced and explained the school reopening procedure that he and Superintendent Hoffman have planned. Then, of course, on the day after Nicole's ambush, Ducey held the 42 minute conference that I mentioned above.
How should elected officials respond? As you saw in the Michele Reagan example, stopping and answering questions doesn't work, and as you saw in the Ducey example, holding a lot of press conferences doesn't work.
Media professionals suggest that the target simply say "no comment". I've pointed out that this response doesn't work.
There are two tactics that elected officials can use in order to stop this abuse. First, Ducey's security team could create space for him to leave by sealing the room for 30 seconds until the Governor is in the car. No one would be allowed to follow him out the door or chase him through the parking lot. This would be perceived as heavy handed and to his credit, Ducey hasn't used this tactic.
Another tactic would be to turn the tables. Reporters have questions that they don't want to answer. Elected officials have plenty social media savvy supporters who could ask reporters about the weakness of their coverage, or the privilege of their background while filming them walking to their car. This tactic is a bit heavy handed as well, however, there is a long history of the right adopting tactics of the left...and then the left complaining that the right has "weaponized" this tactic.
The whole problem would be solved if the media would adopt a simple professional standard. Don't try to make yourself look tough by chasing the Governor through a parking lot.