The Kinsey Institute has put out a helpful tips sheet for sexuality researchers when working with the media. The list includes:
-Ask questions to assess the reporter’s knowledge and where the article might be headed.
-Be explicit about your concerns, and ask for a fact check. Be easy to find, and give good contact information
including a phone number for quick follow-up.
-Though it is your research, the reporter’s outlet owns the story. Although you may influence the approach the
journalist chooses to take, you cannot dictate it.
READ MORE FOR THE FULL LIST.
-Get media training “ learn to convey complex messages simply without losing accuracy, to handle difficult questions, and understand how the media works.
o Identify your specialty â“ do not speculate or feel obliged to speak outside your area of expertise.
o Be prepared for interviews â“ if you get a phone call, schedule your interview for another time. Most phone interviews last 20 to 40 minutes.
o Know the perspective of the journalist, and of the institution or outlet behind the reporter.
o Prepare yourself ahead of time by jotting down a few of the most important points you want to convey about your work. Think about relevant headlines.
o Ask questions to assess the reporterâs knowledge and where the article might be headed.
o Review the rules of engagement with the reporter. Remember you are always âon the recordâ unless you ask to go âoff the recordâ and the reporter grants your request.
o Recognize that most journalists are generalists, writing for a lay audience. Be able to explain your research for public understanding, and provide context for the readers. Explicitly state what your study is about.
o Though it is your research, the reporterâs outlet owns the story. Although you may influence the approach the journalist chooses to take, you cannot dictate it.
o Ask about deadlines and respond in a timely manner, or decline if you are too busy.
o Describe the limitations of your research, and ask the reporter to include these in the story.
o Be explicit about your concerns, and ask for a fact check. Be easy to find, and give good contact information including a phone number for quick follow-up.
o Suggest other reliable sources who might comment on your study.
o Have realistic expectations and know what the news will not be about.
o Be wary of red flags about the reporter, eg, if the journalist is uninformed, unable to re-iterate your statements, or asks uninformed or vague questions.
o Be wary of red flags about the story; if the questions are too obscure or off the topic of your research, say so. If the reporter is clearly biased, asking loaded questions, or trying to provoke sensational responses, point it out. If it
continues, end the interview.
o If there is an error in fact or context, request a correction. If you disagree with the perspective of the story, you can talk to an ombudsman, send a letter to the editor, or propose your own op-ed piece in response.
References:
Boynton, P. M., and Callaghan, W. (2006, August).
Understanding media coverage for sex: A practical
discussion paper for sexologists and journalists. Sexual
and Relationship Therapy. 21 (3): 333-346.
McBride, K. (2006, 29 Sept). Sex Research: Better
Stories than Jokes. Poynter Online: http://
www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=111002
Turning Sex Research into News: Sexual Science for the
Publicâs Interest. (2006, June). Kinsey Institute for
Research in Sex, Gender & Reproduction:
http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/service/KIJ/index.html
