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How To Handle The Media
12 years ago
So, this is just a little something I've had floating around in the back of my mind for a while now, and I'm finally putting pen to paper (metaphorically speaking) so that I can get all of these thoughts in one place.
Why should we listen to you?
I've been the media liaison for Furry Fiesta since the convention was first formed. I've dealt with everything from television stations to newspapers to student groups, from friendly people who were willing to work with me to spoiled brats who wanted their story now now now and couldn't wait ten minutes, and I think I've done a fairly decent job of portraying us - and helping others to portray us - thus far. I also do a panel called Furry Common Sense at both Furry Fiesta and Oklacon, wherein I cover many of the topics I'm going to mention here.
First, I'm going to cover a variety of different places you might be approached by the media about the furry fandom, and how to handle each one.
---
I am at...a convention!
Is a member of staff with the reporter?
NO - Encourage the reporter to come with you while you find a member of staff. Do they follow?
......YES - Awesome, hand them off to the staffer and keep the matter quiet; nothing panics furries quite like "ZOMG THE MEDIA IS HERE", and for all you know, the staffer will politely show the reporter the door.
......NO - Try to memorize the physical appearance of the reporter, and immediately find a staffer and relate the experience to them. Again, keep quiet and let them handle it.
YES - Pause for a moment and consider your options. The odds are very good that you're about to represent the entirety of the furry fandom. Are you confident enough in your public speaking ability that you're sure you won't accidentally put your foot in your mouth?
......YES - Conduct the interview, on the condition that it is done in a closed area - no lobby interviews, please - and that at least one member of staff is present at all times. Remember that you have accepted a big responsibility; don't lie, but choose your words carefully. A slow interview is fine.
......NO - Politely decline. Remember, the media is not your enemy! They aren't necessarily out to get you; in fact, given that they're accompanied by a staffer, they're probably okay. You needn't go into detail, just say "I'd rather not, thanks" and move on.
---
...a furmeet!
In general, this is a no-win situation. It's rare that any reporter worth his salt will follow around furries in an attempt to get coverage, and the coverage they're looking to get will seldom be flattering. If you're being filmed, harassed, or otherwise made uncomfortable by a reporter - or really, by anyone - while you're in a restaurant, bowling alley, or other place of business, STOP!
Yeah, you heard me. Before you take any action, check your privilege. Are you, or is anyone in your group, acting in such a way that warrants stares? Are you making the people around you uncomfortable with what you're doing? If so, the problem might not be the people around you. Furmeets are awesome, but if they're in a public place, you have a responsibility to act like a civilized person within the paradigm of the area. (Running around in a park - fine. Running around in a restaurant - not fine.)
That said, are you and your group well-behaved and just plain getting picked on? If so, talk to the manager and - in as polite and neutral a tone as you can muster - inform them that your group is being bothered by someone, and ask them to do something about it. Be aware that this will seldom see the manager asking the person to leave right away; they will usually ask the person to stop what they're doing. If it then continues, make mention of it again and the person will often (not always) be asked to leave. If the manager does nothing, you should probably seek a different venue for your furmeet.
Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence. Don't be too paranoid about this, just be aware of what to do if it happens.
---
...my computer, checking my e-mail!
Congratulations! You have just entered Media Contact - Easy Mode.
First of all, if you're not interested? Don't reply. Delete the e-mail and pretend it never happened. Simple as that. The interested party will usually move on without so much as a second word.
If you ARE interested, the first thing you should do is go ahead and do some research on the reporter's past work, credentials, and anything else you can find out. You have the internet at your fingertips, and you should use it! If this seems like too much work or you can't find any information, you should probably seriously consider passing up this opportunity.
Furthermore, make sure to save all correspondence sent both to you and BY you; CC yourself on anything you send. Why not BCC, you ask? Because you're likely to spark the reporter's interest if they see that you're sending copies to yourself. If they ask why you're doing that, just casually reply that you're keeping records.
If they're legitimate, they won't mind. If they're a creep, you just scared them off. See how that works?
Let's assume they pass the creep test. Next, they're going to want some way to get in touch with you. Be cautious with how much personal information you give out, and remember that once they have it, they have it forever. I generally won't give more than my phone number - no Twitter account, no secondary e-mail, no address - at first; in-person meetings can and should be done in a quiet setting where you're unlikely to bother anyone. A coffee shop can work well for this. (Just make sure to buy something!)
What are some warning signs to watch out for in an interview?
Sometimes, someone with the media can present a perfectly respectable, decent front - remember, these people make their livelihoods doing this, this is how they pay their bills - and turn out to be a scumbag in disguise, with the fact only becoming obvious once they start talking. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for during a discussion with a reporter. Also, keep in mind that none of these are a sign to immediately jump ship...just keep an eye out. If they continue, it may be time to stop.
NEGATIVITY - This one is a bit tricky, and can sometimes be brought up by the interviewee, not the interviewer. Remember that the furry fandom is an amazing community filled with artists, writers, musicians, actors, philanthropists, costumers, and even the media themselves! We give more than a hundred thousand dollars to charity each year (rough estimate, but close enough), our costumers work with sick children and the handicapped to bring smiles to their faces, and we've done everything from rescuing faltering businesses to supporting our own in times of crisis. There are a lot of good things about our fandom. So why focus on the bad things?
INACCURACY - Tell the reporter what we are, not what we aren't. If they refuse to be guided away from topics like sex, past drama, or factual inaccuracies that you've corrected, it's entirely permissible to end the interview. A good reporter will be paying attention to the things you say, will correct any mistakes in their statements, and will generally be happy to learn from you. If the journalist seems to already have preconceived notions that they refuse to relinquish, that is not a good reporter. A bad reporter will write a bad story, and guess whose name will be on it? That said, be patient and remember that in many cases, this is their first exposure to furries. Three strikes is generally a good rule.
INSISTENCE - You are helping the reporter by doing an interview, never forget that. If you don't feel comfortable talking about conventions, say so. If you don't feel comfortable discussing adult matters, say so. If you don't feel comfortable talking about anything, say so. If the reporter is worth anything at all, they'll respect your wishes and move on. There's also a chance that they won't be able to get what they need from you, in which case, that's life! You weren't what they were looking for. By contrast, if they keep coming back to a topic you're not comfortable discussing, or if they keep harping on an issue over and over again after you feel like the conversation on that topic has run its course, they may be trying to get something specific from you...and it will usually be something that you don't want to give. If the reporter will not respect your wishes, they aren't respecting you, and they won't respect us.
So basically, the media is a bunch of scumbags I should avoid?
NO. That is a sentiment that I see all too often among furries, and it's every bit as destructive to the fandom as a whole as the guy who can't stop running at the mouth. The media is not inherently bad! I have, in fact, done some very successful interviews with student groups and bloggers and even a newspaper (Dallas Morning News is a very reputable paper, and for good reason). Just like any other tool, the media is as good or as bad as we make it.
I compare it most closely to a large cat like a tiger or lion.
If you just let it run rampant and do whatever it wants with no limitations, you're going to wind up getting mauled or even eaten outright. Casual disregard is not a workable option.
If you keep it away at all costs regardless of circumstance, you'll be safe, but your experiences in life won't be enriched by their presence. It's not a bad fate, but can't we do better than that?
If you set limits, decide what you will and won't tolerate, ensure that you're properly educated before handling them, and use a healthy amount of common sense when interacting, you'll find that the presence of the media in our fandom can be rewarding and even helpful.
Help! The reporter wants to talk to me about...
Hang on. If you really don't want to talk about it, say so. See what I said about insistence up there? Anyway, assuming that you are interested in discussing it, here are a few talking points on:
---
...fursuiting!
If you don't know much about it, say so. If you don't own one, say so.
On average, about 15% of furries attending a convention wear a full suit.
Considering how many furries don't attend conventions, and the fact that fursuits are largely intended for interaction, the percentage of furries OVERALL who have a fursuit is almost certainly much lower.
A decent suit can cost thousands of dollars and is a lot of work to keep up, repair, and look after.
People in fursuit generally won't be able to communicate very well with the head on. (Yes, I have had people ask if they can interview suiters while said suiters are in costume.)
No, you don't know anyone who does THAT in a fursuit. *cough* Nor does it sound very plausible or desirable.
---
...conventions!
What happens at a convention? Lots of things! Games and get-togethers and performances and parades and informative panels and too many things to remember all of them at once.
A fairly small percentage of furries attend conventions. Some want to but can't, some don't want to, but those that attend tend to keep attending.
Does sex happen at conventions? Sure! Star Trek conventions, anime conventions, sales conventions, industry conventions...what? Furry conventions? Sure, probably, you guess.
Going to conventions is a great way to meet other people who share an interest with you, get things that might not readily be available at home - comics, art, various stuff - and enjoy a fun vacation.
Did you know that most furry conventions have a charity for which they raise funds, often (but not always) in order to help animals in need?
No, you don't need a costume to attend a furry convention. In fact, most people that attend don't wear one!
The largest furry convention, Anthrocon, has more than five thousand attendees on an annual basis.
---
...stuff I don't know anything about!
Tell them that you don't know anything about that stuff. Simple. If they change the topic, cool. If not, see 'signs to watch out for' above.
Thanks for reading all of this, if you did. Hopefully, this will give you some useful tips on how to handle the media wherever they may find you.
Also, remember this useful fact:
THE MORE EAGER SOMEONE IS TO TALK TO THE MEDIA, THE LESS LIKELY THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES DOING IT.
Why should we listen to you?
I've been the media liaison for Furry Fiesta since the convention was first formed. I've dealt with everything from television stations to newspapers to student groups, from friendly people who were willing to work with me to spoiled brats who wanted their story now now now and couldn't wait ten minutes, and I think I've done a fairly decent job of portraying us - and helping others to portray us - thus far. I also do a panel called Furry Common Sense at both Furry Fiesta and Oklacon, wherein I cover many of the topics I'm going to mention here.
First, I'm going to cover a variety of different places you might be approached by the media about the furry fandom, and how to handle each one.
---
I am at...a convention!
Is a member of staff with the reporter?
NO - Encourage the reporter to come with you while you find a member of staff. Do they follow?
......YES - Awesome, hand them off to the staffer and keep the matter quiet; nothing panics furries quite like "ZOMG THE MEDIA IS HERE", and for all you know, the staffer will politely show the reporter the door.
......NO - Try to memorize the physical appearance of the reporter, and immediately find a staffer and relate the experience to them. Again, keep quiet and let them handle it.
YES - Pause for a moment and consider your options. The odds are very good that you're about to represent the entirety of the furry fandom. Are you confident enough in your public speaking ability that you're sure you won't accidentally put your foot in your mouth?
......YES - Conduct the interview, on the condition that it is done in a closed area - no lobby interviews, please - and that at least one member of staff is present at all times. Remember that you have accepted a big responsibility; don't lie, but choose your words carefully. A slow interview is fine.
......NO - Politely decline. Remember, the media is not your enemy! They aren't necessarily out to get you; in fact, given that they're accompanied by a staffer, they're probably okay. You needn't go into detail, just say "I'd rather not, thanks" and move on.
---
...a furmeet!
In general, this is a no-win situation. It's rare that any reporter worth his salt will follow around furries in an attempt to get coverage, and the coverage they're looking to get will seldom be flattering. If you're being filmed, harassed, or otherwise made uncomfortable by a reporter - or really, by anyone - while you're in a restaurant, bowling alley, or other place of business, STOP!
Yeah, you heard me. Before you take any action, check your privilege. Are you, or is anyone in your group, acting in such a way that warrants stares? Are you making the people around you uncomfortable with what you're doing? If so, the problem might not be the people around you. Furmeets are awesome, but if they're in a public place, you have a responsibility to act like a civilized person within the paradigm of the area. (Running around in a park - fine. Running around in a restaurant - not fine.)
That said, are you and your group well-behaved and just plain getting picked on? If so, talk to the manager and - in as polite and neutral a tone as you can muster - inform them that your group is being bothered by someone, and ask them to do something about it. Be aware that this will seldom see the manager asking the person to leave right away; they will usually ask the person to stop what they're doing. If it then continues, make mention of it again and the person will often (not always) be asked to leave. If the manager does nothing, you should probably seek a different venue for your furmeet.
Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence. Don't be too paranoid about this, just be aware of what to do if it happens.
---
...my computer, checking my e-mail!
Congratulations! You have just entered Media Contact - Easy Mode.
First of all, if you're not interested? Don't reply. Delete the e-mail and pretend it never happened. Simple as that. The interested party will usually move on without so much as a second word.
If you ARE interested, the first thing you should do is go ahead and do some research on the reporter's past work, credentials, and anything else you can find out. You have the internet at your fingertips, and you should use it! If this seems like too much work or you can't find any information, you should probably seriously consider passing up this opportunity.
Furthermore, make sure to save all correspondence sent both to you and BY you; CC yourself on anything you send. Why not BCC, you ask? Because you're likely to spark the reporter's interest if they see that you're sending copies to yourself. If they ask why you're doing that, just casually reply that you're keeping records.
If they're legitimate, they won't mind. If they're a creep, you just scared them off. See how that works?
Let's assume they pass the creep test. Next, they're going to want some way to get in touch with you. Be cautious with how much personal information you give out, and remember that once they have it, they have it forever. I generally won't give more than my phone number - no Twitter account, no secondary e-mail, no address - at first; in-person meetings can and should be done in a quiet setting where you're unlikely to bother anyone. A coffee shop can work well for this. (Just make sure to buy something!)
What are some warning signs to watch out for in an interview?
Sometimes, someone with the media can present a perfectly respectable, decent front - remember, these people make their livelihoods doing this, this is how they pay their bills - and turn out to be a scumbag in disguise, with the fact only becoming obvious once they start talking. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for during a discussion with a reporter. Also, keep in mind that none of these are a sign to immediately jump ship...just keep an eye out. If they continue, it may be time to stop.
NEGATIVITY - This one is a bit tricky, and can sometimes be brought up by the interviewee, not the interviewer. Remember that the furry fandom is an amazing community filled with artists, writers, musicians, actors, philanthropists, costumers, and even the media themselves! We give more than a hundred thousand dollars to charity each year (rough estimate, but close enough), our costumers work with sick children and the handicapped to bring smiles to their faces, and we've done everything from rescuing faltering businesses to supporting our own in times of crisis. There are a lot of good things about our fandom. So why focus on the bad things?
INACCURACY - Tell the reporter what we are, not what we aren't. If they refuse to be guided away from topics like sex, past drama, or factual inaccuracies that you've corrected, it's entirely permissible to end the interview. A good reporter will be paying attention to the things you say, will correct any mistakes in their statements, and will generally be happy to learn from you. If the journalist seems to already have preconceived notions that they refuse to relinquish, that is not a good reporter. A bad reporter will write a bad story, and guess whose name will be on it? That said, be patient and remember that in many cases, this is their first exposure to furries. Three strikes is generally a good rule.
INSISTENCE - You are helping the reporter by doing an interview, never forget that. If you don't feel comfortable talking about conventions, say so. If you don't feel comfortable discussing adult matters, say so. If you don't feel comfortable talking about anything, say so. If the reporter is worth anything at all, they'll respect your wishes and move on. There's also a chance that they won't be able to get what they need from you, in which case, that's life! You weren't what they were looking for. By contrast, if they keep coming back to a topic you're not comfortable discussing, or if they keep harping on an issue over and over again after you feel like the conversation on that topic has run its course, they may be trying to get something specific from you...and it will usually be something that you don't want to give. If the reporter will not respect your wishes, they aren't respecting you, and they won't respect us.
So basically, the media is a bunch of scumbags I should avoid?
NO. That is a sentiment that I see all too often among furries, and it's every bit as destructive to the fandom as a whole as the guy who can't stop running at the mouth. The media is not inherently bad! I have, in fact, done some very successful interviews with student groups and bloggers and even a newspaper (Dallas Morning News is a very reputable paper, and for good reason). Just like any other tool, the media is as good or as bad as we make it.
I compare it most closely to a large cat like a tiger or lion.
If you just let it run rampant and do whatever it wants with no limitations, you're going to wind up getting mauled or even eaten outright. Casual disregard is not a workable option.
If you keep it away at all costs regardless of circumstance, you'll be safe, but your experiences in life won't be enriched by their presence. It's not a bad fate, but can't we do better than that?
If you set limits, decide what you will and won't tolerate, ensure that you're properly educated before handling them, and use a healthy amount of common sense when interacting, you'll find that the presence of the media in our fandom can be rewarding and even helpful.
Help! The reporter wants to talk to me about...
Hang on. If you really don't want to talk about it, say so. See what I said about insistence up there? Anyway, assuming that you are interested in discussing it, here are a few talking points on:
---
...fursuiting!
If you don't know much about it, say so. If you don't own one, say so.
On average, about 15% of furries attending a convention wear a full suit.
Considering how many furries don't attend conventions, and the fact that fursuits are largely intended for interaction, the percentage of furries OVERALL who have a fursuit is almost certainly much lower.
A decent suit can cost thousands of dollars and is a lot of work to keep up, repair, and look after.
People in fursuit generally won't be able to communicate very well with the head on. (Yes, I have had people ask if they can interview suiters while said suiters are in costume.)
No, you don't know anyone who does THAT in a fursuit. *cough* Nor does it sound very plausible or desirable.
---
...conventions!
What happens at a convention? Lots of things! Games and get-togethers and performances and parades and informative panels and too many things to remember all of them at once.
A fairly small percentage of furries attend conventions. Some want to but can't, some don't want to, but those that attend tend to keep attending.
Does sex happen at conventions? Sure! Star Trek conventions, anime conventions, sales conventions, industry conventions...what? Furry conventions? Sure, probably, you guess.
Going to conventions is a great way to meet other people who share an interest with you, get things that might not readily be available at home - comics, art, various stuff - and enjoy a fun vacation.
Did you know that most furry conventions have a charity for which they raise funds, often (but not always) in order to help animals in need?
No, you don't need a costume to attend a furry convention. In fact, most people that attend don't wear one!
The largest furry convention, Anthrocon, has more than five thousand attendees on an annual basis.
---
...stuff I don't know anything about!
Tell them that you don't know anything about that stuff. Simple. If they change the topic, cool. If not, see 'signs to watch out for' above.
Thanks for reading all of this, if you did. Hopefully, this will give you some useful tips on how to handle the media wherever they may find you.
Also, remember this useful fact:
THE MORE EAGER SOMEONE IS TO TALK TO THE MEDIA, THE LESS LIKELY THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES DOING IT.
I'm that bloke who won't shut his big trap, so I'll steer clear of the sharp dressed lady with the huge camera following her... because I know I'd just crack wise at her. *LOL*
I think asking questions is a good way to deflect questions. I think Whines said something along the lines of, "If you had a nice business suit that cost $3000 and had to be dry cleaned, would you have sex in it?"
IMO, the only people who should be talking with the media are people who are very sharp and clever, smart people who know how to manipulate language, the sort of people who are adept at dealing with people, the sort of people who can breeze through a business interview, who can negotiate effortlessly. These people are fairly hard to find, but they're the ones you want.
Well, the Sports section has been a 'sip rag 'til last year, but that's generally true. =p
Awesome article. If there was an actual Playfur magazine or Fur Sports Monthly I'd recommend you submit it to them. =p