Threatening the Media

[by Howard Fencl, APR]

“Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again, I’ll throw you off this f–ing balcony… I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.” This is not dialogue from “American Hustle.” Inconceivably, it’s a U.S. Congressman threatening a TV news reporter while cameras rolled. Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., was being interviewed by a reporter from NY1 News after the State of the Union address. When asked about a campaign fund investigation, Grimm blew his stack.

Never a good idea. In Grimm’s case, the reporter took the high road and accepted Grimm’s day-after apology. But the damage was done. On camera.

Most people won’t behave this egregiously toward the media. But if you even snap back at a reporter’s line of questioning or push a camera away, beware. That video will be played ad infinitum in news promos, on newscasts, on web sites, Facebook pages and perhaps shared as animated GIFs. It will live on in web archives and YouTube.

To avoid this, never go into an interview unprepared. Even if the topic is positive, think about controversial issues in your sphere. Anticipate tough questions, have answers and messages rehearsed and ready in case you are sandbagged by an aggressive reporter.

And remember, not everyone gets off attacking a reporter as easily as Congressman Grimm. When a video bomber tried it with Weather Channel Jim Cantore, he got a stiff knee to the groin on live TV.