What do you do if you are caught out in the middle of a media interview by a question you can’t answer? It can happen to anyone – you’re not an encyclopaedia. If you don’t know the facts when a reporter calls, admit it – offer to come up with the information later if you can. Don’t lie and make something up! If you are giving a ‘live’ interview for broadcast, this obviously won’t work. Just don’t make a big thing of it – tell the interviewer you don’t have the specific answer in front of you, and try to give a reasonable guesstimate. Then move on to make a related point (‘but I’ll tell you what I do know, and that is …’)
Tom on X
When does a tough media interview become a bullying issue? And how do you make sure you're not on the receiving end?
We can now offer on-camera and autocue skills coaching for spokespeople who have to present online video material or webinars.
