A motto often quoted by hardened journalists is “never let the facts get in the way of a good story”…usually as a warning to callow enthusiastic young pups tempted to exaggerate.
But politicians rush in where journalists fear to tread. No one more enthusiastic than Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland who told an amazed audience that no less a person than Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations had written to him asking to be allowed to come to Scotland to make a speech in honour of the poet Robert Burns as part of the Scottish Executive’s tourism campaign, called Homecoming.
Beaming with pride, Mr Salmond said “It’s a sign, a symbol, of the power of Robert Burns that the former Secretary-General of the United Nations actually writes to offer a lecture as a contribution to our Year of Homecoming.” But none of it was true. Kofi Annan actually wrote regretting that he would not be able to come to Scotland for the Homecoming celebrations, but would be giving a speech in Scotland on the economy later in the year and was looking forward to that. The First Minister was happy to seize on the phrase “I would like to travel to Scotland to deliver a speech later in the year” as hard evidence that the great man was an ardent fan of Burn’s broad Scots poetry.
Anyway it’s hardly a diplomatic blunder is it? After all, Kofi Anan’s office merely issued a statement to the media saying: ““There has been some misinformation and Mr Annan would appreciate a correction. We are irritated by this.” Jings!
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg scooped the Slot Of The Week by getting a major interview on BBC 1′s Andrew Marr Show last Sunday (January 25th).
But the occasion must have got the better of Cameron-Lite. When asked to explain his view that Britain could survive the recession better by acting more like the rest of Europe he said… (I paraphrase) Well…reducing spending, tackling global warming…in things like HOME INSULATION we’re LAGGING behind. Yeesss….
“In recent years there has been no bigger disaster than the visit of David Miliband.”
- Arun Jaitley, a politician from the Opposition Party BJP
Foreign Secretary David Miliband could have done with some media, and diplomacy, training before he set off on his recent trip to India.
By publicly airing his views on Kashmir, Miliband managed to upset the Indian establishment so much that Indian Prime Minister has allegedly written to Gordon Brown about the matter – although Downing Street denies receiving a letter.
India sees Kashmir as an internal matter and so did not take kindly to Mr Miliband writing in a report for the Guardian: “Although I understand the current difficulties, resolution of the dispute over Kashmir would help deny extremists in the region one of their main calls to arms and allow Pakistani authorities to focus more effectively on tackling the threat on their western borders.”
He then managed to worsen things by going on to say that India needed to “incentivise Pakistan” by showing “some movement on Kashmir”.
Oh dear. The storm that this has caused has overshadowed Business Secretary Peter Mandelson’s current trip to India. Miliband’s comments have been described as “shabby,”, “unacceptable” and “a textbook example of how not to conduct foreign policy.”
It’s the last full day in office for the 43rd president, George W. Bush, who is planning a low profile day at the White House.
For the last eight years however, Bush has been all but low profile – unfortunately for him – for the wrong reasons.
Media Mentor looks back at a legendary era of media mishaps by the world’s most powerful leader.
As the violence in Gaza continues to dominate headlines, organisations on opposing sides of the conflict have spoken to PRWeek about their comms strategies.
The body, an independent organisation that promotes awareness of Israel in the UK, has taken journalists on press trips to Sderot, an Israeli town that has been under rocket fire.
BICOM has a dedicated team in Israel whose members act as fixers for foreign journalists. It is also encouraging Israeli citizens to speak to the media to give a personal perspective on the conflict.
Meanwhile, the chairman of an NGO that defends Palestinian human rights has spoken of the challenge of keeping the protests interesting. Friends of Al-Aqsa is also organising the UK protests against the Israeli offensive.
Friends of Al-Aqsa chairman Ismail Patel said: ‘We are protesting on a daily basis, but that means it is no longer a news item. Instead, we are providing new focal points, like reading out the names of the children killed in Gaza or getting protesters to lie down to depict the dead in Gaza.’
With thanks to PR Week
2009 has hardly begun and already the PR blunders are coming thick and fast. Well done The Baroness Vadera who informed a gobsmacked nation on the ITV lunchtime news that she could see “a few green shoots” of economic recovery. Baroness Vadera’s comments came as Barclays announced it was to cut 2,100 UK jobs, Jaguar Land Rover said it was cutting 450 staff and administrators of music chain Zavvi announced it would close a further 18 stores, with the loss of 353 jobs. As always, there’s an excuse. She was asked when we might see “green shoots” of hope…and she repeated the wording in her answer. Now now Baroness. Had she attended a Media Mentor course she would have noted that you NEVER repeat the negatives in an interviewer’s questions. And she’d have practiced avoiding just such a trap. What’s next? A prime minister telling us to Rejoice…Rejoice?
Next up for 2009 has to be the happy-go-lucky “aw shucks” past president of the Good Ol’ United States Of America. What a great leader of the free world George W Bush has been. Terrorism came to the shores of America. Thousands were left homeless in New Orleans. Hundreds died fighting in Iraq. And a financial crisis to rival the Great Depression was visited upon all mankind. Or as George W said in his final press conference: “It’s been a lot of fun”. Eight years being the most powerful man in the world? Or a few ill-chosen words at a press conference. Which of these will he be remembered for?
Closely followed by our own first family whose sole purpose is to fulfil their duty to Great Britain, this jewel set in a silver sea. Burdened by the responsibilities of royal duty, is it any wonder that they make strenuous efforts to show that they are only human? Step forward then Prince Harry whose “hilarious” comments on video show that he is just like the rest of the population – completely oblivious to the damaging effect of ill-chosen words which will almost certainly be published. Best have a word with your wise Dad, Harry. Oh, and his good friend Sooty.
2009 will be a tough year. Those who thrive will be those we trust. Honesty, clarity, confidence can only be conveyed by knowing your audience and communicating with sincerity. Don’t leave it to chance. With media mentor on your side, you can be the one who keeps his head, while all around are losing theirs.
Since Britain’s long-running blooper show ‘It’ll be All Right on the Night’ premiered in 1977, Denis Norden presented five episodes up to 1987, a further seven episodes between 1987 and 1997, and 11 between 1997 and now – a 120% increase. This shows just how easy it is to say the wrong thing at the worst time – on live T.V it is impossible to take your words back!
Our top three T.V bloopers include:
Our media training can help you to prepare for television interviews and appearances. By establishing strong key messages and learning how to promote good news and delicately handle bad news it is possible to avoid these embarrassing and potentially career-threatening situations!
For more please see -
www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2006/aug/25/keepingaweath
Prince Harry wasn’t to know when he spoke confidentially into his camera that his ever-so-hushed tones would make headline news three years later. But he should have. As they often say at the BBC “You’re never alone…with a microphone”. Even the most guarded and experienced public figures can find their mouth issues cheques that their brains haven’t cashed. As you read these examples from across the pond the thought might cross your mind “This could happen to me! Better book some training from Media Mentor…”
‘Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.’
–Mariah Carey
‘Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.’
– Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.
‘That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I’m just the one to do it.’
–A congressional candidate in Texas
‘It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.’
–Al Gore
‘We don’t necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.’
– Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instructor .
Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez has become the latest professional football player embroiled in contractual difficulties with his club. Unfortunately, this in turn has led to some regrettable comments being made.
Tevez, who is owned by an independent company has been at the Manchester club for two seasons on a loan type deal and has been waiting on United to pay the remaining £22m to make the move permanent. However, contractual negotiations have not gone as smoothly as both parties hoped and Tevez went and did something silly:
In two weeks time, George W Bush will leave the White House as president for the final time. Barack Obama will begin his first term in office in what, to many people, will be a welcome change.
For the last eight years though, Bush has been in charge of the most powerful country in the world and gun-hoe-ingly led his allies into the war against terrorism. However, unfortunately for him, he will not be remembered as a righteous leader who took on the evils of the world. Instead, he is more likely to be remembered as a simple man who had the tendency to say rather simple things.
In commemoration of Bush’s time in office, here is a list of ten of his best ‘Bushisms’:
