tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477340016457488840.post6334113557995539271..comments2023-03-24T10:16:25.888-04:00Comments on ALS Spread the Word: The One Willing To Speak Up In This Conversation...ALS Grumpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197310566321587027noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477340016457488840.post-11784970320010116802008-04-12T16:53:00.000-04:002008-04-12T16:53:00.000-04:00From DPK Public Relations website http://www.dpkpr...From DPK Public Relations website <BR/><BR/>http://www.dpkpr.com/en/art/?271<BR/><BR/>Why "No Comment" is Never an Acceptable Response <BR/><BR/>I frequently have participants in our Media Interview Skills Training sessions challenge me on my insistence that "no comment," is never an acceptable response to a question from a journalist. <BR/><BR/>As a former journalist and an avid news junkie, I can tell you that "no comment" is the audio equivalent of blood in the water for sharks. Get ready for a feeding frenzy.<BR/><BR/>Saying "no comment," sends a bunch of messages that the interviewee probably doesn't intend.<BR/><BR/>Question: "What did the President know and when did he know it?"<BR/><BR/>Answer: "No comment."<BR/><BR/>Audience hears: "He knew much more/less than we would ever admit and much sooner/later than we want anyone to know."<BR/><BR/>In other words, the audience will always assume the worst when the interviewee refuses to comment. That goes for journalists, too. Instead of closing a door to further inquisition, it paints the door bright red and sticks a sign on it that reads, "Wouldn't you love to know what's in here?"<BR/><BR/>To get to the root of why a non-response of "no comment" is a major interview don't, you need to examine the rationale for interacting with the media in the first place. To put it simply, the media can be a conduit through which an organization can deliver its message. Every question -- even the ones that you would rather not have to address -- presents an opportunity to get your message out there.<BR/><BR/>And there's no better time to be communicating your message than when you are fielding questions that you'd rather not have to deal with. In fact, any time your gut tells you to say, "no comment," your brain needs to be shouting, "Hey, let's take full advantage of this opportunity. I've got something to say!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com