Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Confirmation: A Case Study for Media Trainers

From Wendy Roundtree, writing for PR News…

Her name has dominated newsrooms and households for weeks–and rightfully so.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is one of the most qualified judges nominated to the Supreme Court. In addition, she is the only Black woman ever nominated.

No matter where you stand in the sand on her confirmation, the moment is historic. Confirmation hearings were also a live lesson in how to handle high-stakes interviews. Here are some of the most powerful takeaways.

Remain calm

Nerves of steel. There is no better way to describe her grace under pressure. Despite off-topic questions and interruptions, she remained composed. And despite some questions being steeped in poor taste–Do you attend church regularly?– Judge Jackson often began many answers with Respectfully, Senator …

For many of those communicators represent, interviews last just minutes. But, as we are keenly aware, it takes only a moment to end up in hot water over something you said or did on camera. (Will Smith and the slap heard around the world.)

Judge Jackson’s ability to maintain decorum after hours of questioning might be a stress test worth including in media training.

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