[meteorite-list] my response to an approach by a journalist

From: Bob King <nightsky55_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 07:57:37 -0600
Message-ID: <CAG5KyVmVBSnRW4ZPZr3SUwWuNfqpu7_Nz7hsSt4fK0cJXLFxjA_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi everyone,
As a journalist (I'm a newspaper photographer) and someone who works
with journalists every day I have a few thoughts on this topic. In
newsrooms and TV stations across the U.S. the number of reporters is
dwindling. The few left are asked to do stories well outside their
areas of expertise, and although many try to get it right, they
unfortunately lack the background and often the time to provide the
depth needed to satisfy a particular interest group. That should still
not be an excuse. I do know this - reporters hate being wrong. The
last thing they want to see is a fact in their story in the
"corrections column" in the next day's paper. The better reporters
will call the subject back during the writing of or after they've
written the story but before publication to verify they've got it
right.

My suggestions:
1. Carefully frame what you want to say so a reporter fully
understands the essence of the story.
2. Respectfully suggest to the reporter to call you back anytime with
questions or for verification of details.
3. If the story is factually wrong when published, call or e-mail the
reporter and request a correction. If you get flack, ask to speak to
his or her editor.
4. If #3 doesn't work, write a letter to the editor.
5. Remember that in the end you don't control the story. The reporter
will be talking to other experts (we hope!) in your field of interest
and blending in different points of view. Again, a good reporter
should call you back when there's a big discrepancy between what you
say and the other subject's point of view.

Thanks,
Bob




On Sat, Mar 2, 2013 at 7:19 AM, <jim_brady611 at o2.co.uk> wrote:
> I run an ad in Ireland thats been up for a couple of years now and I
> was approached by a journo who wanted to talk to me and maybe do a
> piece.I googled him and saw his work and immediately knew I wanted
> nothing to do with him or his article.You can see my response to him
> about halfway down the comments on my ad.His name was Samuel Hamilton.
>
> http://http://www.adverts.ie/crazy-random-stuff/meteorites-for-
> sale/400040
>
> there are fair and reasonable journalists out there who are interested
> in the truth about meteorites no doubt.Just be careful and do a bit of
> research first would be my suggestion.
>
> all the best from Ireland
> Jim
>
>
> http://www.emeraldislemeteorites.com
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Received on Sat 02 Mar 2013 08:57:37 AM PST