I was contacted by CNN about the ren-faire...

[Celtic Rune Stones]

I received this earlier today. I responded with a YES  - and game them access to some of my photos

Before I speak with them I would like to ask for any/all input/insight from everyone. I will pass on whatever you all desire the world to know about our little bit of heaven...

You can email me privately if you would rather...

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Hi there, I'm a journalist at CNN. I'm working on a story about Renaissance fests and faires (and associated things) and was wondering if you would be interested in speaking with me about them.

If you'd like to be included in my piece, please send me answers to these four compound questions:



1. What is your name/occupation/age/city of residence?

2. How long have you been going to Renaissance Festivals and why? Or are you more of an SCA type? Which events are your favorite?

3. Can you describe the community and your involvement in it? How much commitment do you have to historical accuracy, and do you make any preparations ahead of time? From what/where does your interest in this time period stem?

4. What is your phone number/e-mail?

[Optional 5. Please consider sharing your images with CNN -- visit cnnireport.com]



Thanks so much!

[BubbleWright]

Check the journalist's credentials with CNN! If they are valid, I would ask him/her some questions before I would reply. Questions such as, how did you come to contact me (?), are you doing a story on just my Faire or on different Faires (?), where do you plan to conduct your interview (?), and have you cleared this with the Faire ?  You can't be too careful. Hopefully this is on the up and up.

[balletboot]

As said, I would definitely check on credentials before providing any other information. But this seems like something CNN iReport would do.

I think it's great, honestly.

[Celtic Rune Stones]

Check the journalist's credentials with CNN! If they are valid, I would ask him/her some questions before I would reply. Questions such as, how did you come to contact me (?), are you doing a story on just my Faire or on different Faires (?), where do you plan to conduct your interview (?), and have you cleared this with the Faire ?  You can't be too careful. Hopefully this is on the up and up.

She checks out - she is a reporter for Turner Broadcasting and is assigned to do a piece on rennies...

She initially contacted me through FLICKr and is doing the story on a number of faires - ours being one of them.  

[CapnJack]

How cool!  Can't wait to see what comes of this!  Hopefully it's not some sort of "freak-pointing" article.

[Earl of Surrey]

Celtic,

In my work I have occasion to recieve training on the subject of interacting with the press.  The below are listed on a card I have been issued to have near my phone when I get a call from a reporter.  Obviously it may not all apply, but you might find some of it useful.

DO
-Be responsive
-Appear helpful
-Know in advance what the story is about
-Prepare your key messages in advance - what story you want told - usually no more than three concepts to reiterate
-Stay on track with your messages - regardless of the question link back to your messages
-Anticipate questions
-Ask for clarification if you don't understand the question
-Keep it simple
-Tell the truth

DONT
-Speculate
-Become combative
-Be flippant
-Answer any question for which you arent qualified
-Buy-in to the reporter's assumptions--
-Say too much (know when to stop)
-Use jargon
-Be boring
-Lie

[Ms Trish]

Celtic,

In my work I have occasion to recieve training on the subject of interacting with the press.  The below are listed on a card I have been issued to have near my phone when I get a call from a reporter.  Obviously it may not all apply, but you might find some of it useful.

DO
-Be responsive
-Appear helpful
-Know in advance what the story is about
-Prepare your key messages in advance - what story you want told - usually no more than three concepts to reiterate
-Stay on track with your messages - regardless of the question link back to your messages
-Anticipate questions
-Ask for clarification if you don't understand the question
-Keep it simple
-Tell the truth

DONT
-Speculate
-Become combative
-Be flippant
-Answer any question for which you arent qualified
-Buy-in to the reporter's assumptions--
-Say too much (know when to stop)
-Use jargon
-Be boring
-Lie

A great list of guidelines for any conversation not just those with the press!

[Rowan MacD]

  This is exactly how a Lawyer preps a witness to testify  ^_^. 
  If you've ever had to take the stand, you've had this very same briefing.  It applies to just about any official communications, and is a gold standard for public speaking.

[Merlin the Elder]

After having statements I made to the press taken completely out of context with clever tape editing, I am extremely leery of the press.

[dbaldock]

After having statements I made to the press taken completely out of context with clever tape editing, I am extremely leery of the press.

Did you turn them into a Frog?      

[Bonny Pearl]

After having statements I made to the press taken completely out of context with clever tape editing, I am extremely leery of the press.

Did you turn them into a Frog?      

Who's taking the bets? 


Celtic,
I hope to see more information about this when you know more.  I would love to see this!

[Norfolk]

After having statements I made to the press taken completely out of context with clever tape editing, I am extremely leery of the press.

Yea, verily.  Been there, done that, same result. 

My recommendation is to have the entire interview taped, side-by-side with the CNN crew, by someone you trust.  Then, if the mainstream media types play their (par for the course) editing games, you have the evidence with which to blow the whistle. 

[Celtic Rune Stones]

After having statements I made to the press taken completely out of context with clever tape editing, I am extremely leery of the press.

Yea, verily.  Been there, done that, same result. 

My recommendation is to have the entire interview taped, side-by-side with the CNN crew, by someone you trust.  Then, if the mainstream media types play their (par for the course) editing games, you have the evidence with which to blow the whistle. 

Noted, and will make sure - I have the luxury of a camera that doubles as a video recorder...

Thank you all for the advise.

Will provide the particulars as soon as they are firm.