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Radio Interviews Via Phone

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By Doug Weller

 

Don’t let mobile phone issues negatively impact your radio interviews.

Who doesn’t have a mobile phone these days?

Most of us can’t live without them – we feel like we’ve lost a limb if we are without a mobile phone for even a short time.

They’re as beneficial and convenient as they are intrusive.

Smart phones have definitely made it easier to reach our media audiences in record time.

Journalists and ‘Citizen journalists’ now use mobile phones to film and live stream dramatic events as they unfold. The audience experiences the news in real time. It really is incredible!

Poor quality news footage filmed on mobile phones has become acceptable. Now, poor quality footage is better than nothing – if it’s dramatic.

This isn’t the case with radio interviews.

Radio interviews obviously rely on sound only.

If the sound quality is poor, the message is diluted or even lost.

Why spokespeople should avoid mobile phones for radio interviews

1. Poor reception / Call dropouts

For all the advances in technology, many mobile phone connections are still pretty wobbly.

You don’t want to risk losing a connection in the middle of an interview.

Some people even engage in radio interviews using a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle, increasing the call drop-out risk – crazy!

If you must use a mobile phone for your radio interview make sure you’re settled in a quiet stationary space.

2. Poor sound quality

Your audience shouldn’t need to work hard just to hear you on the radio.

Conducting a radio interview using your mobile speaker function can make it almost impossible to understand you.

The speaker phone can pick up surrounding noise that will compete with what you’re saying and distract listeners.

As a listener, I’ve switched off radio interviews being conducted using a mobile phone because the sound quality was so bad.

3. Battery issues

You’d think it would be a given that you would have your mobile phone fully charged and ready for your radio interview.

But many people get nervous at the thought of doing radio interviews and it’s easy to just focus on performance and forget to charge your phone.

Imagine your phone battery dying in the middle of your interview. It’s happened.

Again, avoid mobile phones for radio interviews.

If you don’t have a choice, make sure your phone is fully charged.

4. Call waiting

Beep…beep…beep…

In the middle of your interview the call waiting alert can start as a new call comes in.

This is extremely distracting for you, the radio interviewer and the audience.

Straight away your message loses its impact as the call waiting alert becomes the focus.

If you must use your mobile for a radio interview, turn the call waiting function off before you start.

This goes for landlines too.

5. Radio studios and landlines are best

If you’re conducting a radio interview, do everything you can to get to a landline – going into the studio is even better.

If your interview has value for you it’s worth doing well.

Don’t let mobile phone issues trash your media opportunity.

The vast majority of the time, a landline conversation is going to be much better quality.

Listeners will be able to clearly hear what you’ve got to say and absorb everything without battling bad mobile reception.

If possible, go into a radio studio. The sound quality will be perfect and you’re able to build rapport with the announcer.

You’ll probably be given more interview time too.

Remember

Always remember the value for you in conducting radio interviews.

Ensure it’s a quality job to maximise the value to you.

Further Assistance

If you want to know more about engaging with the media, contact Corporate Media Services for more information about our media training programs and services. Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 913

Media Language – Drowning in your own words

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By Doug Weller

Media players, listen up. You can learn a lot about media language from the Eddie McGuire/Caroline Wilson ‘drowning’ saga.

Eddie McGuire is a media guru. A high profile Australian TV presenter, radio commentator, Collingwood Football Club President and former TV network CEO.

With that much media experience, Eddie should understand the influence and effect of his media words and know what is clearly inappropriate.

But Eddie McGuire has a history of media gaffes.

Yet again he has made media headlines, this time for his ill-considered comments about drowning female journalist, Caroline Wilson.

So what can we all learn from this episode?

For many people, the more media experience you have, the more relaxed you become.

When you’re comfortable being surrounded by microphones, you become less aware of them – they become part of the furniture.

There’s a long list of high profile people who’ve been recorded making private, flippant or highly inappropriate comments when they thought their mics were off.

President Obama was recorded during private exchanges with world leaders including Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev  and French President, Nicolas Sarkozy 

Australian Minister for Immigration, Peter Dutton, was caught joking about climate change with then Prime Minister, Tony Abbott when they failed to notice a boom microphone.

But Eddie McGuire wasn’t unknowingly recorded by a live mic. His blunders resulted from intentional comments during public broadcasts.

McGuire’s inappropriate comments about Caroline Wilson sparked national outrage and the fallout was substantial.

Female journalists were insulted, social media erupted and politicians weighed in.

Journalist and national convenor of Women in the Media, Tracey Spicer, found McGuire’s comments “reprehensible” and called for sanctions and penalties.

Australian Social Services Minister, Christian Porter, said “…it is no longer an excuse to say the language was meant to be flippant because it has an effect.”

McGuire’s comments even rippled out to the federal election campaign trail.

Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, cancelled a scheduled radio interview with McGuire and said “I just wish people would think about what they say before they say it”.

Major Collingwood Football Club Sponsor, Holden, reviewed it’s relationship with the club.

Richmond Football Club boycotted Triple M radio station which aired McGuire’s ill-considered comments about Caroline Wilson.

Eddie McGuire’s handling of the media uproar in the aftermath of his comments was also scrutinised and his initial apologies were deemed insincere.

In a further attempt to redeem himself McGuire made a video apology via the Collingwood Football Club’s website.

It would seem from Eddie’s repeated media gaffes that he doesn’t consider his media messages and their fallout.

Whether you’re a media commentator or a media spokesperson, what you say in the media and the language you use, matters – a lot.

Media commentators have the power to influence public opinion on many issues

Combatting violence against women is an important and high profile media topic. Organisations including the Australian Football League (AFL) are actively raising awareness of that issue.

Eddie McGuire is an AFL club President and the AFL itself supports White Ribbon, Australia’s national campaign to stop men’s violence against women.

McGuire’s inappropriate comments about drowning Caroline Wilson were made during the AFL’s White Ribbon round. His words were completely incompatible with White Ribbon’s message of preventing violence against women.

White ribbon released a statement saying the comments were “examples of language that demean women and reinforce violence-supporting attitudes.”

Female co-host of Channel 9’s AFL Footy Show, Rebbeca Maddern, put it eloquently when she said, “I think in the media, we have to be reminded that we are in a very privileged position. We have a voice. That voice is listened to by many people, and people absorb what we say. And in turn, because of that, we have a power to change the conversation and shape the public perception about certain issues.”

Treat media interactions with respect

If world leaders and media industry veterans can make outrageous media mistakes, so can spokespeople, even if they’re very experienced.

All media interactions should be treated with respect regardless of how casual the media moment.

Making inappropriate comments, or using offensive language in the media can result in extreme personal, professional, financial and reputational damage.

Even worse, your choice of words could harm others.

In the media, no matter who you are, think before you speak!

Information Only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Sources

Eddie McGuire’s gaffes file – when the Magpies chief and Channel Nine star’s mouth got him in trouble

Barack Obama microphone gaffe: ‘I’ll have more flexibility after election’

Nicolas Sarkozy complained to Barack Obama of liar Benjamin Netanyahu

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton caught joking about the effect of climate change on Pacific islands

‘These guys live in a bubble’: The AFL’s big blokey problem

Eddie McGuire’s comments ‘incredibly disappointing’, Cabinet ministers say

Eddie McGuire and Caroline Wilson: Bill Shorten snubs McGuire after ice pool remarks

Eddie McGuire: Magpies president to front board meeting as sponsor reviews links with club

Tigers boycott Triple M over Eddie McGuire, Caroline Wilson controversy

Eddie McGuire likely forced to apologise for drowning comments, Caroline Wilson says

McGuire’s Apology

Violence Against Women Is No Laughing Matter

Sam Newman blasts Caroline Wilson over Eddie McGuire ‘joke’ furore

Blog image by Ron Tandberg

Further Assistance

If you want to know more about engaging with the media, contact Corporate Media Services for more information about our media training programs and services. Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 913

Sir Joh

Answer the Question!

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By Doug Weller

There have been some subtle changes in media message delivery over the years – subtle but important.

Back in the days of the former Queensland Premier, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Sir Joh Mediathere were many media players who refused to answer the question, but Joh turned ignoring questions into an art form. Comedians got great mileage out of it, “Don’t you worry about that”.

Then, the easy way out of a tight spot during media interviews was often to ignore the questions and punch away at the key messages. In fact many people still think that is the way to go.

I was shocked when I was asked to speak to some media students about media communications.

During the intro the host said “Now Doug will tell you how to refuse to answer questions during media interviews”. I had to do some fancy footwork to make sure I didn’t embarrass the host because that is not the way to conduct media interviews.

Journalists, and in my view the community, are sick of people refusing to answer media interview questions. The ‘ignore the question’ days are over.

You need to be believable and convincing in media interviews – this means responding to journalist’s questions.

Yes, it’s absolutely crucial that you go into your media interviews with clear, concise, jargon free messages. But those messages need to be delivered credibly.

It’s easy to respond to questions and also go to your message.

At the end of the day journalists want to leave any discussion or interview with a clear understanding of what you’re saying about a particular issue.

Responding to journalists or commentators questions is absolutely crucial in live radio, or TV interviews.

In some cases interviewers will simply repeat the question if you refuse to answer it. I’ve heard entire interviews where the journalist asks the same question again and again because it hasn’t been answered.

This doesn’t reflect badly on the journalist, it reflects badly on the interviewee.

Politicians are under increasing pressure to get it right.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Julie Bishop, is normally an excellent media performer.

But when she was asked during a radio interview to explain the nuts and bolts of new ‘transition to retirement’ rules, she attempted to give a vague answer and return to her message – it didn’t work.

Image Source: 3AW693 News Talk

Image Source: 3AW693 News Talk

Sometimes it’s OK to ignore the odd question and go straight to the message, especially in a heated interview. But not during an election campaign and not when you’ve upset the hell out of a stack of retirees.

Politicians, or anyone for that matter, need to be very good at explaining the detail when they’ve delivered painful change.

If you’re in the head space of ‘don’t answer the question, just deliver the message’, stop it. Those days are gone.

The other lesson from the Bishop interview is that giving vague answers and then going to the message no longer cut it, especially with interviewers like Neil Mitchell.

If you want to be credible in the media, send a clear message to journalists and audiences that you are willing to answer questions put to you.

Always deliver appropriate messages that are of value to you and that answer the question.

 Information Only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Further Assistance

If you want to know more about engaging with the media, contact Corporate Media Services for more information about our media training programs and services. Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 913

Julie Bishop

The Julie Bishop Eye Roll Incident

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By Doug WellerJulie Bishop

 

Politicians, especially those in the state and federal arena, do a lot of media interviews – it goes with the territory.

If you spend a lot of time doing media interviews you get an understanding of how the media operates and you quickly learn how to conduct yourself around cameras and microphones.

Federal politicians are acutely aware of where cameras are placed in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In TV news items we often see politicians speaking in those forums and we can often see other politicians in the background.

The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, would be well aware that she is in the background when others are speaking in the House of Representatives – she does sit on the front bench after all.

Ms Bishop is generally a very good media performer and she seems very savvy when cameras are about.

So I can’t understand why she put on the display that she did during Joe Hockey’s parliamentary tribute speech to Malcolm Fraser.

Her eye rolling, head shaking, jaw dropping performance during Joe Hockey’s delivery was really surprising.

Maybe she was jet lagged after a recent trip. Maybe she didn’t care about how it looked? Perhaps she was trying to send a message about cuts to foreign aid?

We may never know since she said she would keep her opinions to herself.

The major point we should take from this is that you don’t need to communicate verbally in the media in order to have a major impact.

Facial expressions and gestures say a hell of a lot.

Understand that your expressions and gestures will send powerful messages especially during face to face presentations, web based videos and TV interviews.

Whenever you are in an environment where people can see you or there are cameras around, be very focused on the visual messages you send.

Remember

• Assume all cameras are live and recording your movements
• Be aware of the powerful messages you can send via non verbal communication
• A picture is worth a thousand words

Further Reading

Julie Bishop makes real life eye roll emoji face as Hockey jokes about budget

 

Obama speaking

Tan Suit Gets In Way Of What Obama Has To Say

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By Corporate Media Services

Obama’s ‘suitgate’ scandal rocked the world! Well, it got a good run in the media anyway.obama tan suit

In a shocking back flip on his policy of only wearing navy, grey and black suits, President Obama had the nerve to wear a tan suit…the cheek of him.

Some people were horrified, a social media storm erupted and his media messages paled beyond a shade of beige as they were lost in the controversy over his outfit.

Reasons for the outrage over Obama’s tan suit varied.

Timing was a key factor as its casualness was considered inappropriate for delivering serious, hard hitting foreign policy messages.

Some thought it was too informal and disrespectful to victims of recent serious incidents and terror related atrocities.

It generated a gender equality debate about the fashion criticism of women  compared with men in the media.

Obama’s famous election rally cry “Yes We Can” morphed into “Yes We Tan”.

Then comedians got in on the act.

Bad day for tan suit

obama seinfeld suit

In all of the noise about the tan suit Obama’s important messages were overshadowed.

Huffpost tan suit tweet

Obama is a top class media performer. He delivers his messages like a pro and whether in a suit or an open neck shirt, he usually looks sharp.

You wouldn’t think a change of suit colour would be a big deal. It’s just a different colour.

When you’re high profile the reaction to what you wear can be a very big deal. Just ask Former Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who copped endless criticism for her outfit choices.

You’re entitled to wear what you want during media interviews but if you present in a different or unusual way there may be a major reaction that eclipses your message.

Media audiences have expectations and get used to you looking a certain way. It becomes part of your personal brand.

Think carefully before you make major changes, especially prior to making major announcements.

You don’t want attention taken away from your messages because of a new look.

As superficial as it seems, it needs to be taken into account.

It says a lot about how ridiculous we’ve become about presentation but it’s something you need to be conscious of if you want your media messages to hit the mark.

Information Only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Further Assistance

If you want to know more about engaging with the media, contact Corporate Media Services for more information about our media training programs and services. Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 913

Jacqui Lambie and Heart Radio's Kim & Dave

Jacqui Lambie’s ‘Well-Hung’ Moment

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Jacqui Lambie and Heart Radio's Kim & Dave
By Doug Weller – Corporate Media Services

 

Australian Senator, Jacqui Lambie, made some below the belt comments – quite literally, on Hobart’s Heart 107.3 breakfast show with Kim and Dave.

In the interview, the radio hosts asked Senator Lambie about her relationship status and what she looks for in a man.

Her response was blunt; he must be rich and well endowed, or in Lambie speak, he must have “heaps of cash and they’ve gotta have a package between their legs, let’s be honest – and I don’t need them to speak.”

Very interesting Jacqui, although I’m not sure that’s the sort of information the Australian public needs to hear from a federal politician.

She even went on to chat with a 22 year old male caller and asked if he was “well-hung”.

Someone said to me they liked this interaction because they’re sick of slick politicians delivering slick media performances. In their opinion, it was just a bit of fun.

I understand that view. We’re sick of politicians delivering messages like robots.

But do we really want to hear stuff like this from a federal law maker?

Australia has witnessed its fair share of clangers dropped by politicians. Pauline Hanson and former Queensland Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, come to mind. Joh’s interview antics were so famous they were parodied.

There is definitely room in politics for a bit of light banter. US President, Barack Obama, is a pro at this. He knows how to joke around in a media environment without losing the respect of the people.

But politicians, like everybody else, need to be careful about what they say in traditional media interviews or social media posts. Otherwise it can come back to haunt them.

When Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, was filmed winking during a radio talk back call with a phone sex worker, it hit the headlines and he was labelled a creep. He didn’t have to say a word to make a negative impression; his body language did the talking.

Jacqui Lambie seemed to think that she could make a controversial comment in one media format and that’s where it would stay.

”Of course my political enemies will make a big deal out of my comments, but the reality is I was talking with Kim and Dave on Heart FM – not Sarah Ferguson on the ABC,” she commented.

Media interviews are media interviews. The program format is irrelevant. Whether she was being interviewed on a fun-filled radio chat show, or a serious current affairs program, her comments and behaviour are news.

When Ms Lambie eventually offered a public apology to anyone she may have offended, she was disappointed that some of her important key messages on policy hadn’t received media attention.

”I also told Kim and Dave about the $3000 a year that the Palmer United Senate team saved average Australian families at the last sitting of Parliament, but of course those comments didn’t receive nationwide coverage – go figure!”

Go figure indeed, Jacqui. She destroyed any chance of a positive message being picked up once she uttered the words “well-hung.”

Everyone should know there is a line you don’t cross during media interviews.

Jacqui Lambie crossed it.

Remember

  • If you do or say something outrageous in a media interview it can quickly become a headline for all the wrong reasons.
  • Don’t be afraid to engage in polite banter or humour during a media interview BUT be careful about it.
  • A good rule of thumb is something I learned on my second day as a cub reporter – if in doubt, leave it out.

Further Information

Well-Hung?  Palmer United Party senator Jacqui Lambie boards the Oversharing Express on radio station Heart 107.3

President Obama plays straight man to Hangover star Zach Galifianakis

Information Only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Further Assistance

If you want assistance regarding engaging with the media, contact Corporate Media Services for more information or training about  traditional media or social media. Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 913

Ricky Muir struggles

Ricky Muir Fights Back

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Ricky Muir struggles
By Doug Weller – Corporate Media Services

Call me unusual if you like but I find politics really interesting.

I started covering politics when I was a cub reporter and I’ve been following politics ever since.

So forgive me for having another chop at the Ricky Muir/Mike Willesee interview, but the debate which has followed the airing of that exchange is an interesting lesson on dealing with media interactions and interviews.

Since my last blog on the topic, Motoring Enthusiast Party Senator, Ricky Muir, has come out fighting over his interview with Mike Willesee on Channel Seven’s ‘Sunday Night’ program.

In the interview Ricky Muir had trouble answering questions and required breaks to regain his composure and consult his advisors.

Mr Muir has now reportedly described the interview and his treatment as unethical.

Muir’s political advisor, former NSW independent MP and qualified media defamation lawyer, Peter Breen, wanted to lodge a formal complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority over Mr Muir’s treatment. Muir blocked that move saying “… I can either let this get me down or use it as initiative to get better.”

Mr Breen alleged that Channel Seven’s handling of the interview was unfair and allowed Mr Muir to become the focus of ridicule and contempt – “It contained the imputation that he wasn’t up to holding public office because he wasn’t a good media performer”, said Breen.

If you haven’t seen the interview make sure you find time to view it at least 2 or 3 times.

If you’re not involved in the media you might initially think that the interview is unfair or unethical.

But to describe the interview in that way is absolutely ridiculous.

Why?

If you’re going to interact with the media and put yourself forward to do media interviews, you need to have a basic understanding of the role of the free media in a democratic society.

In a nutshell, the role of free media is to observe and report.

You may think some media outlets do that badly but that’s another discussion.

Be very clear about this, journalists who work in mainstream media are not public relations or marketing practitioners. Nor are they involved in advertising -they are journalists.

It’s crucial that you understand that point.

Journalists have access to a wide range of powerful and influential people, including politicians. The vast majority of the population will never have access to these people.

So it’s up to journalists to interview these powerful people and deliver the results of those interviews to the public.

Ricky Muir is in an incredibly powerful position. He’s been elected to the Australian Senate.

He is now voting on laws which will have an impact on every Australian citizen and in some cases, citizens of other nations.

He is accountable to the Australian public.

The questions that Mike Willesee asked Ricky Muir were totally appropriate for someone in Muir’s position.

The interview was not a brash, hard hitting, ‘shock-jock’ style interview; Willesee was not aggressive, or pushy.

Experienced journalist and Executive Producer of Channel Seven’s 7 ‘Sunday Night’ program, Mark Llewellyn, has said that Mike Willesee was actually very kind to Ricky Muir.

Llewellyn is right. The questions were asked in a respectful and even gentle way.

In an interview with Crikey Llewellyn also said that Mr Muir’s assumption that parts of the interview would not get used were unfounded and there had been no deal for Mr Muir to go ‘off the record’.

“When did that kind of cosy deal become journalism — ‘the wink, wink, nudge, nudge, I’ll look after you if it all becomes a little too hard, possum’? What, by the way, are the ethics of censoring interviews and depriving audiences of the complete story? To in effect be part of that cosy club that shields politicians and keeps everyday Australians in the dark.” Llewellyn said.

When Ricky Muir had trouble answering the questions and took a break, this was broadcast as it should have been.

For Mike Willesee or anyone else involved in that interview to edit out any of that material in order to make Ricky Muir look better than he actually was would have been a disservice to the Australian people.

It was up to Ricky Muir and his advisors to ensure that he was adequately prepared before the interview.

As I said in my last blog on this issue, Ricky Muir should never have started his media exposure in a high profile television interview of this type.

He wasn’t ready for the questions and he wasn’t ready for the lights and cameras of a broadcast interview environment.

What Mike Willesee did was ask the questions and show the responses.

Remember:

  •  Make sure that you’re prepared for any questions that may be asked of you in an interview, especially the obvious questions.
  •  If you’re not ready for a daunting media environment such as an intimidating studio style TV interview, don’t do it.
  •  If you ever stuff up in a media interview don’t kid yourself that the interviewer was unethical. Look at your performance and learn from any mistakes. Interesting to note that’s what Ricky Muir said he will do, so good on him for that.

Further Information

Mike Willesee Interview Was Unethical: Ricky Muir

Information Only

Any information presented on our website is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

Further Assistance

If you would like further information about dealing with the media contact Corporate Media Services for more information or training.

Make an email enquiry now… or call 1300 737 9131300 737 913