Avoid being a headline
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EmailRemember to be on your best behavior when serving in public offices.
"Never argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel” is a quote attributed to Mark Twain. It was a popular saying in politics that means don’t argue with the press, especially newspapers, who publicize information with catchy headlines to engage readership. The phrase is somewhat outdated, as newspapers are not as important as they once were and some newspapers have moved to either exclusive or combined online and print media. The lesson however, is one that remains.
What occurs in a public meeting often becomes the headline of the next day’s local newspaper or in some cases even sooner than next day! As a government representative, either elected or appointed, it is critical to maintain positive working relationships with members of the print media.
Honesty and being forthcoming are the best policy for fostering those relationships. Distortion of facts or covering up a problem will magnify already tense situations. Comments should be presented concisely because providing too much information may confuse the reporter and result in the distortion of facts (National Association of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary Procedure in Local Government Second Edition, 2012 P. 67).
If you are asked a question as a government official that you are unsure of, it’s best to refer the interviewer to the individual they should speak with to answer the question or simply to explain that you do not know the answer. Having a positive attitude will encourage the reporter to put a positive spin on what is happening in the community.
Lastly, remember that any comments made off the record may be printed anyway, so it is best to avoid making such statements or providing documents that will be connected to you.
Michigan State University Extension Educators can provide your organization with assistance in learning more about parliamentary procedure. The Government and Public Policy team also offers training for elected and appointed officials for improved effectiveness in several areas, including various public policy issues and effects of government programs, regulation, incentives, strategies and more. By working together with local elected and appointed officials, and interested citizens, MSU Extension is able to provide education on critical local and state issues. To contact an expert in your area, visit MSU Extension’s expert search system or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
