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Building democracy through the media - A guide for political leaders

(PDF version)

By Peter du Toit, published by Internews – East Timor

Forward by Internews

Internews Network is an international non-profit organization formed in 1982 and it has been active in East Timor in 1999 – before the post-referendum violence. Worldwide, the Internews Network comprises 22 offices in 19 countries, all of which work to enhance tolerance and understanding between countries and citizens by:

• Supporting the growth and development of independent media in emerging democracies;
• Producing and distributing innovative media programming; and
• Using the media as a tool to reduce conflict within communities.

All Internews projects are based on the conviction that vigorous and diverse mass media form an essential cornerstone of a free society. Following hundreds of years of foreign domination and with Independence only just behind us, Internews is working closely with the journalists and government Ministers of East Timor to help them begin a fresh relationship based on freedom, democracy and mutual trust.

The media is a critical information channel for Ministers to understand and utilize in getting news of the government’s work to their electors. But in a democracy, the media needs to be much more than simply a passive communication channel. The role of the media is to analyze and scrutinize the government’s decisions and actions. The people of East Timor need to feel they can rely upon the news media they receive because they trust the journalists to have acted on their behalf in asking key questions.

This scrutiny, which can sometimes make Ministers who are new to the role feel uncomfortable, is actually a blessing in disguise. An active and free media that is vigilant in watching and reporting on government builds the credibility of the government. Objective news reporting allows the people of East Timor to decide for themselves when or if their Ministers deserve their trust and admiration.

Internews is very proud of this clear and easy-to-follow guide designed for the members of the new government. I trust it will become an important reference tool for Ministers as they assist in the nurturing of a free and independent media in the newly democratic East Timor.

Lyndal Barry
Country Director
Internews East Timor
August 2002

Forward by José Ramos Horta

Seeing the world through the eyes of both a journalist and a politician, I found this booklet invaluable as a guide to understanding and effectively utilizing the media.

As a brand new, independent government we have a unique opportunity to learn from the lessons provided by history. We know that in some countries the relationship between the government and the media is hostile; in others it is submissive and subservient.

We, as politicians have an obligation to cooperate with the media in this country to ensure our people get the information they need to make informed decisions about their lives and their nation. We encourage our media to ask questions of us – even difficult questions – to ensure our people feel they can rely upon us to be accountable as their elected representatives.

We are committed to free media, accountability and mutual trust based on honesty and integrity between East Timor’s political leaders and its journalistic community. I would like to thank Internews for their hard work and dedication in producing this guide. I know will help us all more effectively reach out to our people through the media.

José Ramos Horta

Contents

A brief introduction

1. The role of a journalist in democracy-building
2. What journalists need from you
3. Working with the media
4. Getting information into the media
   4.1 News releases
   4.2 Press Conferences
   4.3 Press Statements
5. When journalists approach you
   5.1 Interviews
   5.2 Coming across clearly on radio
   5.3 Coming across clearly on television
6. Avoiding mistakes
7. Handling mistakes

A brief introduction

While the relationship between politicians and journalists is not always an easy one, both groups are crucial players in the establishment and maintenance of democracy.

This booklet is intended to be a resource for politicians to guide them in their interactions with the media. It is also written with a view to journalists’ needs.

There are numerous techniques political leaders can use to manipulate the media and dodge difficult questions. None of these are covered here. Instead, this booklet examines how leaders can work with journalists to promote development and democratic values.

It gives a brief overview of the roles journalists can play in democracy-building, and how and why leaders need to build relationships with the media. It also provides useful tips on getting information into the media, coming across clearly in interviews, and avoiding misrepresentation.

We hope it will help you work with journalists to ensure citizens are well informed and able to participate in political affairs.

1. The role of a journalist in democracy-building

Journalists play a number of vital roles in a democracy to promote the institutionalization of democratic principles and to ensure they are safeguarded. These roles include:

• Keep people informed
  Journalists have a responsibility to provide up-to-date, relevant and accurate information so that people can make informed decisions about their lives. This means journalists must tell people about the decisions being made by the political leadership and the way the decisions are being implemented.
• Educate people about complex political issues
  A journalist’s responsibility goes beyond conveying information. He or she must deliver the information in a way that helps people understand it. Journalists must educate people about their rights and obligations under the law and the workings of government.
• Encourage citizens’ participation in governance
  Journalists also need to keep leaders informed about citizens’ needs. By publicizing the problems citizens are facing and creating opportunities for them to express their concerns, journalists encourage people to participate more actively in the democratic process.
• Monitor leaders’ effectiveness and conduct
  Journalists have a responsibility to ensure that leaders in the political, social and economic sphere are acting in the best interests of the people. This means monitoring leaders to see if they are conducting themselves responsibly and exposing the misuse of positions of power and privilege. This enables voters to make informed decisions at election time.

2. What journalists need from you

If journalists are to help promote democratic governance, political leaders need to ensure they are able to fulfill their roles effectively. Here are several ways you can help ensure the media is effective:

• Respect journalists’ roles in society
  Even when coverage is critical, leaders need to respect the contributions journalists make to democracy-building. Journalists are responsible to their audience. It is their job to produce fair and balanced stories and to ask challenging questions on behalf of their readers and listeners. This may be frustrating for you, but fair and balanced journalism promotes public debate and citizen participation.
• Promote a culture of openness
  Journalists provide a crucial communication link between citizens and their representatives. To do this, they need leaders who are willing and available to provide them with information. If you are reluctant to answer questions and provide information, this will lead to a breakdown in communication between the leadership and the people.
• Defend their independence
  Credibility is a journalist’s most important asset. People must believe journalists are fair to everyone and willing to give everyone a voice. Without this credibility, people won’t believe what is broadcast or published in the newspapers. You can help journalists by ensuring that no legislation is passed that curtails their independence. You can also help by discouraging other leaders from using their powers to interfere with a journalist’s right to access and publish information that is in the public interest.

3. Working with the media

Before we look at specific tools for good media relations, here are three tips for working effectively with journalists:

• Build relationships with journalists
  This is probably the most important step you can take to ensure that the issues you feel are important get into the public eye. This is a two-way process. Don’t expect journalists to listen to you if you are not helpful when they approach you for information. And always remember: just because you think an event or issue is important doesn’t mean a journalist will see it that way.
  This also means treating the media with respect. Journalists should not let their feelings interfere with their reporting, but they can build up resentment towards people who are rude or disrespectful to them. This can have an impact on how or whether they cover an issue or event.
• Keep journalists updated
  Since journalists cannot know everything that is happening in a society, you can help by briefing them on important developments. Tell them about upcoming events and provide them with background information that helps them understand complex issues and processes. Make time for informal meetings where you can explain these issues. Ensure they have access to documents such as draft legislation and discussion papers as soon as they become public.
• Keep the relationship professional
  Never offer journalists money or other rewards to cover a story or to keep information from being published. This is unethical and will ruin a journalist’s credibility. If you want to control information, pay for an advertisement or buy space so you can control its content. Never use friendships and family relationships to influence reporters.

4. Getting information into the media

There are many ways to get information to journalists. Your choice of technique will depend on the information you want to get across. For example, you may choose news releases, press conferences, press statements, letters, news events and site visits. In this guide, we have chosen to focus on the first three most important techniques.

Unless you can pay for an advertisement, the only way to get information into the media is to ensure it is newsworthy. Giving journalists information is not enough. You need to give them information they can use. When they receive it, they must be able to answer ‘yes’ to the following questions:

Is this new? If people already know the information you are providing, why would they buy a newspaper to find out about it? ‘New’, in this case, refers to things that have just happened or will happen, or to information that has not yet been published or broadcast.

Is it relevant? Is the information significant to the readers, viewers and listeners? Will it make a difference to their lives? Is it important or interesting enough to be worth publishing or broadcasting?

Does it pass the ‘So what?’ test? When presented with information, the first question a journalist asks is ‘So what?’ or to put it more politely, ‘Why would my audience be interested in this?’ You need to make it clear why people should care about what you have to say.

In the next few pages we focus on tips for writing news releases, organizing and hosting press conferences, and preparing statements for the media.

4.1 News Releases

News releases, or press releases, are often the most effective way of getting information to journalists. A news release is a written text you prepare for journalists to use as the basis for a news story, or that prompts journalists to contact you for more information. News releases are cheap to produce and can be sent to many different media organizations at the same time.

• What to include
  Every release must answer six key questions if it is going to provide all the information a journalist needs to write a story. If you don’t answer all of these questions, there is a good chance your news release will not be used.
  Six key questions for any news writing
  WHO? Who is involved? Who was involved?
  WHAT? What has happened? What is going to happen?
  WHY? Why did the event take place? Why was the decision made?
  WHEN? When did the event happen? When will the event happen?
  WHAT? What is going to happen? What did happen?
  HOW? How did it happen? How will it happen?
  
  
• How to begin
  Journalists frequently get more news releases than they can use. It is thus the quality of your writing and the information you provide that will convince them your release is worth publishing. You need to catch the reader’s attention from the first line and keep him or her interested. Your opening sentence should answer the all-important ‘So what?’ question.
  
  
• Tips for news releases
  
  • Label and date the news release - Write the words NEWS RELEASE clearly on the top of the page. The date should appear on the right-hand side.
  • Provide a headline - This should be one short phrase (about five words) that summarises the content. Headlines help editors decide if a story should be covered and who should cover it.
  • Keep it short - Try to keep the news release to one page. Two pages should be the maximum. Journalists don’t have the time or space to deal with long releases.
  • Spell out acronyms - Write out names of organizations in full before using an acronym. For example, refer to the Popular People’s Party by its full name before using the acronym PPP.
  • Use ordinary language - Avoid using jargon and technical language. Avoid words ordinary people will struggle to understand. Keep your sentences short and include one idea per sentence.
  • Indicate the origin of the release - At the end of the release, identify the person or organization that has issued it. For example, say that it has been issued by Xavier Fernandes, the Press Secretary of the People’s Party.
  • Contact numbers - Be sure to include the address and contact numbers of the person issuing the release. It is also important to provide after hours contact numbers.
  • Get someone to edit your work - Mistakes make you look bad. Never send a news release until someone else has checked it for factual, spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Include photographs - or suggest photographs that could be taken to help illustrate the story.
  • Submit your release early – Familiarize yourself with the deadlines of media organizations and send your releases to them well before these deadlines.

4.2 Press Conferences

Press conferences are a vital means of getting information out through the media. By providing face-to-face exchanges, they are also an important way of developing good relationships with journalists.

There are two types of press conferences you may want to arrange:

• Regular briefings
  These are held on a regular basis to update the media on the progress that has been made on a political or social issue. Organising these press conferences is a fairly simple process: arrange a time and a venue for a regular meeting with journalists and then stick to the plan. The advantage of regular press briefings is that you don’t need to invite journalists every time. However, you will find that unless you have something newsworthy to offer journalists at every meeting, they will soon stop coming. Journalists will also get extremely irritated if these briefing are cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.
  
  
• Press Conferences for special events
  These are press conferences you call to make special announcements to the media about new policies, activities or plans. Since journalists know they have been organised to draw attention to an important event, these press conferences have more impact than regular briefings,
  You should only organise one of these press conferences when you have something important to announce. If you can pass on the information just as easily with a news release, then do so. Journalists do not have time to waste on press conferences that do not produce worthwhile stories.

Tips for organizing press conferences

• Timing – Try to arrange a press conference at a time that does not clash with other important events.
• Venue – make sure the venue is easy to find. The room should include a main table or podium for the speakers and rows of chairs for the journalists. It should be big enough to accommodate everyone and have space for television cameras and microphones. Do not clutter the main table with flowers that obstruct photographers and people with recording equipment. A simple banner draped across the front of the speakers’ table, or a backdrop behind the speakers, looks good on television and in photographs.
• Who should be there – Don’t have too many people sitting at the main table. If possible, have one person to facilitate the discussions, one main speaker and one other person who has specialized knowledge of the issue being addressed.
• Chairing a press conference – The facilitator of the press conference should welcome the journalists, introduce the speakers, and ensure each journalist gets a chance to ask questions. Allow each reporter to ask one main question and if possible a follow-up question. Once everyone has had a turn, the chairperson can invite journalists to ask additional questions.
• The process – Begin the press conference by reading out a statement about the issue you want to discuss. Copies should be made available to journalists. Once the statement has been read, invite journalists to ask questions.
• Start press conferences on time – Frustrated journalists and editors are less likely to cover your story or give you positive coverage.
• Always be polite - You may not like the questions being asked, but making cutting remarks to journalists can antagonize the media and cost you important support.

4.3 Press Statements

A press statement is a carefully worded comment that spells out your party or organisation’s official position on a given issue. It is similar to a press release but it has a different function: press releases focus on events, while press statements reflect your views and positions on topical issues.

• Who should issue a statement
  Although a spokesperson or party representative may draft a statement, the top leadership should approve it. This ensures that the person releasing the statement is presenting your official position. Taking the time to prepare a statement helps ensure you do not make hasty comments you may later regret.
• Why issue a press statement
  Preparing a press statement enables you to express your position very clearly in writing. This helps to ensure your views are accurately reported. Since you have a written record of what you said, you are also well positioned to demand corrections if a journalist misquotes you.
• When to issue a press statement
  You can issue a statement any time your party or organization wants to comment on a political, social or economic issue. Yet since timing is always important, you should try to ensure your statements reach journalists when the issue is being publicly debated.
• How to issue a press statement
  Press statements, like press releases, can be hand-delivered, faxed or e-mailed to the media. They can also be read over the phone or presented at press conferences.

Tips for press statements
Many of the Tips for Press Releases are also relevant here, yet there are several others that need to be stressed:

• Keep it short – Journalists may not use everything you say in your statement. Instead, they will select the comments they think are most relevant to their audience. If you keep it short, -even one or two sentences - they are more likely to use the information you want published.
• Keep it simple – Since journalists will often quote directly from your statement, you want to make sure you are clearly understood by readers and audiences. Ask someone who has no connection with the subject to read your statement. If it is not clear to them, chances are others won’t understand it either.
• Get straight to the point – Don’t waste time with jargon or rhetoric. State your position clearly. Say what needs to be said and then stop.
• Write for easy reading – Radio and television journalists will sometimes read your statements on air, so your writing should be easy to read out loud. When you are writing your statement, read it out loud to yourself. If you stumble, try to rephrase it so you can read it more easily.
• Prominent personalities attract more attention – Both journalists and their audiences will take your statement more seriously if it is issued by a well-known person in your party or organization. It is better to have the statement signed by the head of your party than by a spokesperson.
• Don’t wait to be asked – You don’t want to be caught off guard. As soon as an issue starts getting coverage in the media, you need to determine your position and prepare a statement.

5. When journalists approach you

Until now, we have been focusing on ways of getting information into the media. Now, however, we will concentrate on how you can get the most out of situations when journalists approach you.

First, here are several things to think about when you are approached by journalists for interviews or comments:

• Make the most of your opportunities
  Every time a journalist approaches you for information, you are presented with a valuable opportunity to explain your views and positions. Make the most of the opportunity. This is especially important if the issue being raised reflects negatively on your organization. This is a chance to set the record straight.
• Respect a journalists’ right to ask challenging questions
  Journalists ask questions on behalf of their audiences, and they are expected to challenge leaders on important issues. You may not like the questions they ask, but you need to take them seriously.
• Be honest
  Some politicians are tempted to lie when they respond to journalists’ questions. Yet this often causes them greater harm later on. Journalists are trained to expect people will lie to them and they will do their best to uncover and expose the truth. If this happens, they can destroy your credibility.
• Be patient
  Don’t get frustrated if journalists ask questions that show they are unfamiliar with an issue. Use the opportunity to make sure they understand the complexities so that they can educate their audience. If a journalist is confused, the chances are their audience also needs more information.

5.1 Interviews

Interviews are the main tool journalists use to get information from you. This is true for both print and broadcast journalists. Interviews can take many forms and can happen in almost any environment. They may range from formal studio interviews to conversations on the street. They may happen face-to-face or over the telephone. E-mail interviews are also becoming common. Regardless of who is interviewing you, where it is taking place or how the interview is being conducted, there are several things you can do to help ensure an interview meets your needs.

General Tips for Interviews

Before the interview starts

• Be clear what the interview is about - Find out what the journalist is after before you start answering questions. You may not be the best person to answer the questions and may want to refer the journalist to someone else. Although journalists are not obliged to tell you the questions in advance, you have the right to ask for a summary of the issues that will be covered.
• Set the boundaries – Once you know the issue a journalist wants to discuss, you may want to say you can answer questions about some topics, but you are not in a position to talk about others. In this case, refer the journalist to someone who can answer these questions.
• Know what you want to say – If you have time to prepare for an interview, think of the two or three most important points you want to get across. When the interview begins, look for opportunities to make these points. Since this allows you to consider your responses in advance, you should also try to anticipate the kind of questions the journalist is likely to ask.

During the Interview

• Relax – An interview should not be a contest of wills. If it feels like a conversation, you will relax and get your information across more clearly.
• Listen carefully to the questions – Journalists get frustrated when you do not answer their questions. They may feel you are avoiding the issue. Listen carefully to what is being asked and respond directly to the question. If you do not understand the question, ask the journalist to repeat it.
• If you don’t know the answer, say so – Never give information if you are not sure it is factually correct. A good journalist will verify what you say, so if you get the information wrong, you may appear to be lying. Refer the journalist to someone who will know the answer, or promise to find the information they need when the interview is over.
• Don’t let journalists put words in your mouth – Journalists often ask questions which require ‘Yes’ or ‘No” answers. When you respond, they may then attribute the entire statement to you.
  Example:
  Question: Would you say the Minister’s behavior might be considered immoral?
  Answer: Well yes, I suppose you could say that to some extent.
  Published: The Minister is immoral, says member of parliament.
  Gain control of the question by saying: ‘I can’t answer that question directly, but what I can say is . . .’
• Keep your cool – You may not like the questions, but you should never lose you temper. This makes you look as though you are on the defensive and have something to hide.
• Never say ‘no comment’ – This looks as though you are avoiding the issue. Explain that you are preparing your response and will release a statement later. Then do so.
• Be brief and to the point – There are many reasons why it is best to keep your answers short. Short, clear answers limit the risk a journalist will make mistakes when he or she reports what you have said. They allow journalists to ask more questions, which means you cover more ground. They also help you remain focused and allow the journalist to guide you back to the issue at hand.
• Make sure you get your message across – If you are clear on the points you want to make, you can look for opportunities to get them across. Breaks in the conversation give you the chance to say, ‘I’d like to add that …’ or ‘One other thing I want to say is …’ Journalists will normally let you finish what you want to say if you keep it brief.

After the interview

• Be careful what you say after an interview – Remember that anything you say to a journalist is on the record and may be used. Even if you think the interview is over, don’t say anything you would not want published or broadcast. Many politicians have been caught saying things after an interview when a journalist’s tape recorder is still running .
• Ask when the story will be published - This lets the journalists know you will be checking the story to make sure it is accurate. But remember that reporters don’t always know when or if a story will be used.

5.2 Communicating clearly on radio

Radio interviews provide you with a wonderful chance to speak directly to people. They can be recorded in the studio or in the field, and then edited later. They can also be broadcast live.

Tips for radio interviews

• Be Relaxed – If you are relaxed, you will sound confident. Breath deeply before you start. When people are nervous, they speak quickly and their voices tend to rise to a higher pitch. Try to speak normally. Speak slowly and pronounce your words clearly.
• Think of your listener – This will help you use language the listener will understand. Try to focus on the one specific person with whom you want to communicate. Be simple, clear and warm. There is no second chance on the radio so the listener has to understand you the first time.
• Smile! - It makes your voice sound warmer and friendlier.
• Use your voice - Because people can’t see you, how you say something can be as important as what you say. If you put expression into your voice, people will know you mean what you say.
• Answer questions briefly – Unless it is a live interview, the journalist probably won’t use everything you have said. If you keep your comment brief, this helps them to select one or two sound-bytes to include in a news bulletin. You should not take more than a minute to answer a question.
• Microphones – All microphones are different, but as a general rule, if you clench your fist and stick out your thumb, you will have established the distance you should usually maintain between the microphone and your mouth. Don’t speak directly into the microphone. Let your breath pass over the top. If you are not sure, ask the journalist for guidance.
• Make eye contact with the interviewer – this helps you to establish a good relationship with the interviewer and helps you communicate with each other.
• Be careful of making other noises – especially when the interview is taking place live. Watch out for rustling papers. If you need notes, make a few points on a single page or on small flash cards. Don’t thump your fist on the table. The listener won’t know what you are doing.
• Find a quiet space for field interviews – Find a space where you can talk without distraction. Background noises from construction work or vibrating air-conditioners can make interviews unusable. Journalists should look for quiet spaces. If not, suggest they do. And remember that some background noise can help create a good atmosphere if it is not too loud, so be flexible.
• In your office – If you are being interviewed in your office, make sure you turn off your mobile phone and take the landline off the hook. Put an ‘Interview in progress, do not disturb’ sign on the door.
• Get there early – If you have to rush to a studio interview to be on time, this will come across in the way you speak - especially if you are out of breath. You should get to the studio at least fifteen minutes before the start of the interview. You can use this time to chat with the interviewer or to think about the two or three key points you want to get across.
• Be careful what you say live on air – because once it is said, you can’t take it back. Be especially careful of language others might find offensive.
• Have fun – when you are enjoying yourself, so will your audience and that will keep them listening.

5.3 Coming across clearly on Television

Many of the points you need to think about for television interviews are covered in the Tips for Radio Interviews. The big difference is that how you look and present yourself is also very important.

• Dress to impress – What you wear is important for two reasons. Firstly, your clothes say something about your personality. Choose clothes that convey the image you want to get across. Secondly, some clothes do not look good on television. Clothes with tight squares or stripes tend to shimmer on the screen, while clothes that contrast starkly with your complexion can also look strange. Wear plain fabrics in neutral colours.
• Be neat – Before entering the studio or starting a field interview, make sure you are tidy. You don’t want viewers to be distracted by dirt on your face or uncombed hair. Find a mirror or get a colleague to have a look at you. Comb your hair, wipe the sweat off your face, and make sure all your buttons are done up.
• Be aware of body language – Think about the image you want to convey and adapt your body language accordingly. Folding your arms signals you are not prepared to be open. Touching your face constantly can make people think you have something to hide. Feel free to use your hands when your talk, yet try to keep them still most of the time. Sit or stand up straight. If you slouch and look too relaxed, viewers will think you are not taking the interview seriously. Don’t smoke!
• Don’t look at the camera – This can make viewers uneasy because it looks as though you are staring straight at them. To create a conversational atmosphere, make steady eye contact with the interviewer.

6. Avoiding mistakes

Here are two other things to consider that will help protect you when you are dealing with journalists:

• On and off the record
  People often talk about something being ‘off the record’. This means the information provided may not be published or that the person providing the information should not be identified. This can be a very useful way of giving a journalist you trust the background information he or she may need to understand a situation properly. Nonetheless, you need to be careful.
  People often make the mistake of saying things to journalists they don’t want published, and then saying, ‘But this is off the record’. It is not. Any time you want to tell a journalist something ‘off the record’ you need to negotiate this in advance. Until a journalist has agreed to keep information ‘off the record’, anything you say may be published.
  The same applies to situations where you do not want to be personally identified. If you don’t want your name used, be sure to make this clear before you pass on any information.
  
  
• Make your own recording
  If you are talking to a journalist about a sensitive subject, it is often wise to record the interview yourself. By placing a tape recorder on the table and openly recording an interview, you are sending a clear signal to the journalist that you will take action if his or her report is not accurate. If you are misquoted, you can then prove the journalist has changed your words.
  In press conferences, it is also very useful to record the questions you are asked and the answers you give. Once again, this can protect you if mistakes are made in the media.

7. Handling mistakes

Mistakes will happen, and when they do, you need to respond strategically. You will want to correct the damage, but at the same time, you must continue to build a good working relationship with the media organization involved. Journalists are professionally obliged to correct errors and will normally do so if you can prove they made a mistake.

Here are some tips you can follow for correcting mistakes:

• Who to speak to - If the error is small and does not affect you seriously, speak to the reporter who wrote the story. This gives him or her a chance to explain the mistake to the editor without getting into too much trouble.
  If the mistake is seriously damaging, take your complaint directly to the editor or station manager. Put your complaint in writing, showing clearly what the mistake was and what you expect the editor to do about it.
  Don’t threaten an editor with legal action unless he or she refuses to correct the mistake. This will only destroy your relationship with the media.
• Published corrections – Although they find it embarrassing, if necessary, all media organizations will publish or broadcast corrections. When an error occurs, it is worthwhile asking for a correction. Yet think carefully before demanding one. When there has been a minor mistake in an article that is generally damaging to you, demanding a correction can work against you. In the correction, the paper will have to explain how it happened, and this may mean repeating the same negative information.
• Legal action should be a last resort – it is expensive, it will ruin your relationship with the media, and it may mean that information comes out in court that you don’t want published.

Publications - Press Freedom