I don't write about politics or political speech in this blog but this quote from Senate candidate Sharron Angle from several months ago got my attention:
"We needed to have the press be our friend … We wanted them to ask the questions we want to answer so that they report the news the way we want it to be reported." –Sharron Angle, during an interview with Fox News Channel's Carl Cameron, Aug. 2, 2010
Some people seem to get "friendlier" treatment from the media than others and when you build a relationship with a reporter and do a bunch of interviews over time, it may feel like a friendship, but keep in mind, this is a professional association and you both have a job to do.
Don't try to control the media. The only person you can control is YOU. Media training is meant to give you strategies to be more poised and polished in your dealings with media people, but not to learn to manipulate them.
If you're involved in hard news like running for office or do expert interviews where you take a stand on a controversial issue, you should expect tough questions and be ready for them
You may want to control the message, but don't be surprised if the media won't play along.
Janet Vasil
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