Cerritos College Journalism -- Talk to You? A Reporter? Do I Look Like a Fool?

Talk to you? A reporter?
Do I look like a fool?

By Don Ray

Why would someone want to talk to any journalist?

She doesn't want to, but it's her job -- she has to

He believes strongly in his cause.; She wants to get the facts right -- to set the record straight.; He's outraged at something or someone.; She want to defend someone else.; His ego is so big he can't resist the exposure.; She feels guilty and and wants to confess.; He wants to defend someone else.; She want to give the impression that she's not guilty.; He's a lunatic -- doesn't have a clue how foolish he'll look.; She's a sociopath and thinks she can con the journalist.; He has a hidden agenda up his sleeve.; She's obedient and believes journalists have some kind of authority.; He thinks it's just the right thing to do.; She's getting paid by someone to talk.; He's trying to divert the journalists attention from something.; She's punishing another journalist or news outlet.; He hopes the exposure will further his career or reputation.
What would motivate a person to talk with a particular journalist?: He believes the journalist really cares.; She believes the journalist really understands the story.; He believes the journalist is likely to agree with his point of view.; She believes the journalist will somehow pay her for the interview.; He's rewarding the journalist who is more persistent.; She's rewarding the journalist who hasn't pestered her.; He wants to talk to a journalist of a particular race, sex, religion, alma mater, etc.; She cooperates with a journalist who isn't of a particular race, religion, etc.; He is impressed with the reporter's patience.; She believes the journalist will be more accurate than the others.; He believes the journalist is somehow more syphathetic or empathic.; She believes the journalist is more experienced.; He believes the journalist is more trustworthy.; The journalist came highly recommended.; She's read/seen/heard the journalists work and likes his/her work.; He believes the journalist is naive and can somehow be hoodwinked.; She believes the journalist just plain nicer.; She likes the anchors on the journalist's newscast.; He believes he might be able to score with the journalist.; She believes the journalist might help her get a job as a reporter.; He believes the reporter might have information that could be helpful.; She supports the perceived editorial position of the publication/station/network.
Look for the telltale signs of certain feelings, emotions or conditions that may play a part in someone's decision to cooperate --such as gratitude, trust, responsibility, fear, guilt , greed, curiosity, sport, lunacy, sex, ego and/or pleasure.

By Don Ray, P.O. Box 4375, Burbank, CA 91503-4375
(818) THE-NEWS, Fax: (818) 843-3223
Email donray@donray.com -- Web www.donray.com/donray
© 1998, but anyone can feel free to reproduce all or part of this if they include the above lines.
Reproduced here with permission.

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