Media relations tip of the week

A journalist’s job is to write a story. That doesn’t mean she’s obligated to write your story.

For example, say city officials decide to install new parking meters. A journalist could lead her story by discussing how community members voiced their opposition to this, calling it "slimy" and "greedy." On the other hand, a journalist could lead with, "To avoid a budget deficit without raising taxes, city officials will install parking meters..."

The first lead seems negative and the second lead sounds pro-government. But neither is factually inaccurate. Yet, when I was a journalist, I encountered government officials who would go as far as attempting to get a reporter fired for writing a lead like the first one.

Such reaction is absurd and, in the end, the government official only looks bad.

-Professor Mark Grabowski

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