The disjointed nature of the NHS Test and Trace programme is just another example of muddled thinking and muddy messaging at the top. Consider the complaint about Test and Trace on the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee website – “the Government does not provide any information on whether there are different rules for healthcare workers”. Heroic […]
5 top tips to help you soar – not stumble – with Zoom
Last summer I was contacted by a major international news channel wanting to interview me about a very important business story – it would be the lead item on their next bulletin. I was sunbathing in my garden at the time, but no-one was really going to be distracted by my flip-flops, my “I love […]
Why the video conference interview is a poor substitute for the real thing
Among the many consequences of the Covid-19 restrictions is a decline in the power and effectiveness of news interviews, at exactly the time when tough questioning is most needed. As this crisis develops, that need will intensify. The physical limits set by the government on the movement of people, while absolutely essential, are having a […]
TV news coverage – the new approach
As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, newsgathering by TV news stations has changed completely. “Social distancing” means the recording of an interview, whether out in the field or in the studio, has to respect the two metres separation rule. It’s no longer safe for a cameraman to place the microphone on the tie or […]
Why calm preparation is the right prescription for organisations in fear of the coronavirus media spotlight
It’s tempting to think James Bond, dentists, car makers and Apple AirPods have nothing in common. But they do. They’ve all been impacted by the coronavirus crisis, according to the Daily Mail last month. The diverse ways they’ve been affected sends a warning to any and every organisation. The knock-on effect of coronavirus – or […]
Retaining impartiality in journalism
The BBC recently announced that it was going to restrict the use of Twitter by its journalists. Indeed, they want to see the BBC’s journalists move away from social media in general. This is a wise move. It seems that the move was prompted by a mistake made by BBC Political Editor, Laura Kuenssberg, who […]
A vision for 2020: 12 resolutions to improve your media interviews
If, like the majority of people, you fail to keep your New Year’s resolution beyond a few weeks, maybe having a new one for every month of the year might help you boost our skills – in this case your ability to perform well in media interviews. So we’ve put together 12 media training resolutions […]
Off the hook – or left dangling? How did Emily Maitlis handle the interview with Prince Andrew?
Acres of newsprint have already been devoted to Emily Maitlis’ interview with the Duke of York, in particular debating whether he should have agreed to it in the first place and, having agreed, whether he succeeded in countering a long list of awkward questions. The near-unanimous verdict is that he failed to offer convincing explanations […]
Interview Dynamics: The differences between print and broadcast interviews
Being interviewed by a newspaper journalist and a television or radio journalist are two very different experiences. The interviewer’s approach is different. The timings are different. The dynamics are different. The main difference, and one that can influence the entire way an interview is conducted, is how long the interview will last. First of all, […]
Dudes, listen up if you want to avoid these naff ways to start a media interview
“Yo! Great to be here bro!” Okay, I admit that’s not the best way to respond to the first question in a media interview, but given Boris Johnson, on becoming Conservative Party leader, declared, “Dude! We are going to energise the country!”, it’s tempting to think informality is the way forward. It’s not. This brings […]
