PR discussions: Re: [prpoint] Shoe thrown on Indian Home Minister during Press Conference

Yes, we can definitely do a lot.

1. Analyse and brief those address press conferences (client/company management) on the possible angry/hate questions particularly in times of crisis management.

2. Keep media analysis of reports on the company at hand and train the company/client on tackling angry/negative questions.

3. Prepare a list of - just not FAQs - but possible negative questions from all angles and train the client/company management on answering them in the best possible manner.

4. Never enter into any argument with the media. You will NOT win. Chidambaram Press Conf is an example. He kept on saying please do not get into debate on this issue, this is not the forum etc etc.,

5. Keep a close eye on the general behaviour/body language of media persons. Like you said, this particular reporter was tossing his shoe....you could foresee the possible problem ahead!

6. There is enough training material available from various PR agencies (including Concept PR) on deflecting the difficult ones and crisis communications (discussed at the last week's PRCI Global meet).

7. Defuse tension with informal meetings, chit-chat before a serious Press Conf begins.

8. Get to know the media persons by their first names. Address them with their first names while answering questions, particularly when you answer difficult/stubborn questions. (You name is music to your ears, isnt it?!).

9. Never think of avenging quarreling repprters. It doesn't work. Adopt forgive and forget attitude.

10. Give a free hand to PR professionals to handle crisis, communication in crisis and of course such media conferences as well.

Hope these ten commandments will be of some use.

Pl do not hesitate to get back to me ( mailbnk@gmail.com) in case you want to discuss further.

Regards

bnk

On 08/04/2009, manoj panjwani <manojpanjwani@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi!

While reading the responses of various members of our community to the issue of a shoe being hurled at Mr. Chidambaram, we have all overlooked a few points.

1. The gentleman (I hope I am entitled to still call him one) concerned had already removed one shoe which he subsequently tossed in the direction of the dais and Mr. Chidambaram. This indicates that he had thought of the action he would take and it was not an instantaneous protest.

2. Almost all the people who have some thoughts to share on the issue have agreed that it was wrong to demonstrate his protest or his feelings in the way it was done, but can we as a community do anything to help prevent similar situations from being repeated. After all, its our job as PR Professionals to ensure smooth functioning of such press conferences. Today its a politician, tomorrow it could be any one of our clients.

Cheers

Manoj

From: Tyagaraj Sharma <tyag52@gmail.com>
To: prpoint@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 8 April, 2009 9:10:04 AM
Subject: Re: [prpoint] Shoe thrown on Indian Home Minister during Press Conference

There are no two opinions on this.As journalists, irrespective of our
own individual ideologies and beliefs,our job is to report the
news/proceedings of press conferences and the like.Accordingly,
Jarnail Singh's act needs to be condemned; frowned upon and
discouraged. Personal beliefs and sentiments should not interfere with
professional work.

Now,after what Jarnail Singh has done, it would be difficult for the
press /politicians and others to interact with one another. An element
of suspicion could always come in the way of free interaction.

Thygaraj Sharma
Senior Journalist, Bangaloru

On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan
<prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:
> dear friends
>
> Few minutes back today (7th april 2009), when Indian Home Minister P
> Chidambaram was addressing a Press Conference at Congress HQ at Delhi, a
> question was asked by one Jarnail Singh representing Dainik Jagran on the
> issue of 'clean chit' given to Jagadish Tytlar by CBI. The journalist was
> not convinced of the response given by the Home Minister and he started
> arguing in the Press Conference. Chidambaram was telling the journo not to
> argue, but only ask questions. Irked by the response of the Home Minister,
> the journalist threw the shoes on him. Fortunately, it did not fall on him,
> but fell slightly away. The journalist was taken away by the Security
> authorities for investigation.
>
> Members may recall that similar incident happened during the visit of
> President Bush to Iraq. It is very sad that a new trend is showing up
> amongst the media. The jounalist covering the event may differ from the view
> of the authorities. His job is only to report the statement and to ask
> questions.
>
> A communist oriented media person may cover the BJP or vice versa. The
> professional dharma is only to report as it is, even if they differ. The
> media can review the policies of ruling or opposition parties in their
> editorial columns or articles.
>
> When I saw this incident live in the TV, i got really shocked. An Indian
> journalist throwing shoes on Indian Home Minister. In the Bush incident,
> Iraqi media person threw shoes on Bush.
>
> In one of the ealier issues of our ezine PR-e-Sense, we published a cartoon
> drawn by Triambak Sharma. In that cartoon, the organisers were asking all
> media persons to remove the shoes and keep outside the press room. Though,
> it was meant for fun after Bush incident, i am afraid, the fun should not
> become reality.
>
> I invite members to share the views.
>
> Srinivasan
> Moderator
>
>
>
>
>
>

Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.

--
Regards
BNK
Call:  CDMA: 93210 48332
                    93200 48332
          GSM:  90221 30842
     Landline: 022-40558914

========
B N Kumar
CEO
Concept PR - Winner of "Agency of the Year 2007"  award from PR Council of India
====================

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