Office of Marketing & Communications

Top 10 tips for speaking to the media:

Be prepared. Anticipate questions a reporter might ask. Who? What? Where? When? Why (does it matter to the public)?
Have 3 to 5 messages ready that you wish to communicate. Steer your answers toward your messages.
Phrase everything in lay-level (approximately 8th grade) terms, unless the reporter is from a technical journal.
Everything is on the record, every microphone is live, every e-mail could wind up in print – even those not sent to reporters. As a state institution, all e-mails are public record.
It’s ok to say, “I don’t know,” and even better to refer the reporter to someone who does know.
Talk it up! This is your chance to tell your story. Give background information and further sources. Have a fact sheet ready to give to the reporter with pertinent information.
Never say, “No comment.” It sounds suspicious. “We’re looking in to it,” is good, or perhaps, “That’s not public information yet. We’ll let you know when it is.” You can always refer the reporter to the Communications Coordinator.
Tell the truth! If you are unsure of a fact, tell the reporter you’ll get back to them with the precise information.
Remember reporters are on non-negotiable short deadlines, often same day. Return communications ASAP.
On-camera interviews: focus should be on your message, not appearance. Clothing should be nice enough to be professional, but not too formal. Solid low-tone colors are best.

For more information, or one-on-one media training, contact
Communications Coordinator
WSU Vancouver
(360) 546-9602, news@vancouver.wsu.edu