Misconducts of unprofessional journalists
By Editor on Dec 3, 2006 in mediarelations
As PR professionals, we deal with journalists more than half of our working time. Sometimes they run after us for client quotes and sometimes they refuse us interviews/stories outright. It’s normal and the relationship is professional. We are after them because we want stories for our clients. They are in touch with us to get feed for their stories. Nothing more, nothing less. However, there are some unprofessional journalists out there who make working with them a pain. Here are some examples of misconducts from such journalists:
1. The desperate romeos – These lot are typical middle-aged men who welcome every PR lady visiting their offices with a sly grin, and think they can say anything to them just because they can guarantee a coverage. I had a chat recently with a female friend, also in the PR industry, who was pro-positioned by a well-known senior journalist in the Delhi office of a popular Hindi daily. He asked her to go out to the movies with him, and promised an exclusive story for her client. When she said he was a father-figure to her, he replied she shouldn’t take him wrong and there was a difference between his love and sex, and so on. He has been calling her saying sorry, and yet still asking her out. There are many other so-called senior journalists like this one in many leading newspaper houses. These type of journalists think that just because PR people run around to get their interview and other requests done, they can get away with anything.
These are the types of issues that PR associations should take up. We have heard enough stories like this from our female colleagues. Maybe we should prepare a blacklist of unprofessional journalists and make it known to the PR industry and stop interacting with them.
2. The VIP wannabe journalists – We know that journalists are hard-pressed for time, and that editorial meetings normally happen around 8pm everyday to decide their schedule for the next day. However, there is a breed of journalists who will never say a yes or a no on anything until the last minute. They love playing the wooed ones, and displaying pomp and air. We might have succeeded in persuading our clients to stop thinking of themselves as another Bill Gates and they should pamper the media. But what do we do with these type of journalists? They can keep everyone hanging on to suit their time table. They will cancel appointments at the last minute. Sometimes, after confirming an interaction, they will never turn up at all and keep their cellphones off.
3. The copy-paste journalists – Journalists are supposed to have good understanding of their beats and have good writing skills. However, there are some who have no clue of what they are going to write about. The best solution to this, as we have often found out, is giving them a ready-made copy. These lot don’t do their homework when they go for interviews and the first question they ask company spokespersons is what their companies do. Oh yes! We have explained the stuff to them earlier and provided lots of backgrounders. We seem to be caught in a fix as there are only one-two journalists assigned to a specific beat in a city. The worst of these lot are those who after listening to hour long interviews, go back and file stories that are not only a complete mess with the English basics but also with the factual information.
4. The bribe-takers – Well, these lot do not come out in the open. So, it’s hard to guess who they are. It’s kinda funny for me to write this because people can allege that it is we who bribe them. But that besides the point, the whole notion of bribing for a story sucks big time. The worst outcome of this coalition is that when a regular PR professional approach these journalists, they are ignored. These journalists have lunch with only certain PR professionals, do their exclusive stories, and are happy living off the expensive gifts.
Well, these descriptions above do not necessarily mean that all journalists are like these. I have also interacted with many intelligent, knowledgeable, and well-behaved journalists in my professional years so far. These are examples of unprofessional conducts of few journalists whom PR professionals tend to come across occasionally; or at worst, stereotypes. I wonder what others have to say.
Popularity: 11% [?]
On Dec 4, 2006, Ram said:
Why can’t you write something about the unethical practices of the PR and marketing companies? It’s stupid to assume that all journalists are bribe-takers and a nuisance and all PR pros are ethical and professionals to the core.
It’s not easy for scribes to get an interview with celebrities. So if a scribe misses a celebrity soundbyte and the rival carries this soundbyte, will you give the scribe a new job?
On Dec 4, 2006, Anonymous said:
While I quite agree with this post, there is much to be said about PR professionals.
- They chase you for stories. They chase you for inane stories, like XXXX becomes a brand ambassador for XXXX brand. Why would it be of interest to a current affairs or business magazine. Heck, why would I, as a reader want to know who is endorsing what? Thats the job of advertising, not a journo.
- They talk about ‘exclusives’, when that story has been done to death.
- They call you 100 times for inane stories, but never get back (on time) when valid inputs are needed. Heyy…we guys have tight deadlines too. Are your clients sleeping then?
- They give you wrong briefs for meetings, or very often, the main guy doesn’t turn up for the meeting.
- Many PR guys talk on their mobiles while the meeting is on. That is so distracting. I mean, if you’re not interested (in your own meeting, please step out and let the journalist do his/her job).
- Many of them are highly ill-informed about their clients. They wont even know something as simple as the comany’s turnover!!!
On Dec 4, 2006, hobbit said:
Hi Ram, your opinion about journalists not being able to get bytes of celebrities is justified, but as PR professionals we need to work on something that will help the media and our clients interact in a more amicable manner. The idea behind the post was to highlight that there is a scope of improvement for us.
Hey, I never said all journalists are bribe takers and a nuisance. I have been mentioning throughout the post that these are unprofessional behavior of a few, or even these may be stereotypes that we have about journalists. Please do drop in your views on the unethical practices of PR people and I will be glad to write about it too.
On Dec 4, 2006, hobbit said:
Good feedback anonymous…so these are some of the feed from the other side too. Good it’s all now in the open. Helps us understand each other more.
On Dec 4, 2006, bella said:
Hey Ram & anonymous i couldn’t agree with you people more.
but believe you me….i myself faced a lot of problems with some very unprofessional journalists.
On Dec 4, 2006, hobbit said:
hey bella…great that you drop by.
On Dec 6, 2006, bella said:
Hi..HH, Thnx…
Your post is real eye opener to unprofessional journalist. Hope next time they will think twice before harassing a PR girl, as now they know that their act will be made public on net…. Wish we could create a blacklist for such journalists, but its better to warn them before taking more stringent step.
On Dec 6, 2006, hobbit said:
thanks bella. let’s see what others have to say
On Dec 10, 2006, cutpaster said:
Yes, I have come across worse instances during my career in the press. However, I have always felt that journalist-PR is a symbiotic relationship, and that both parties are to blame for the mess. I would apportion blame at 50:50.
On Dec 11, 2006, Anonymous said:
I have been a journalist for long and have seen both good and bad PR people. There are those like Kishore Hattangadi, who work quietly and in the background, helpful and never demanding.
And there are those who would cajole, push and but space. One can prepare a long list of such people. Those in the PR industry know who they are.
Of course, this is o brief for journalists. There are guys to whom a PR outfit means a good drink, a nice lunch plus a ready-to-use note. I know major corporates have ghost writers who can write the same story in several ways and give it to the journalist to add his so called creative bit.
But should the PR profession do these things and yet complain of the misdeeds of the journo? Why not shun them?
Remember, PR stands for performance Recognition, not Press Report. So guys, when you charge your clients so much for ‘placing’each press note / communique / statement, the tendency to spend for ‘results’ is irresitible. So watch your step. And go easy with the keyboard before your slug out those comments.
To me, the collaboration between PR and journalism is sinful!
On Dec 11, 2006, Anonymous said:
Finally a good piece on how nasty journalists can be. Some of the journalists, senior journalists who commonly hog front page by lines treat PR professionals like their ‘pair ki jootis’ they think that they can humiliate us any where, anytime. This article is a must for every such journalist who thinks like this. A slap in their face. By the way there is a PRCAI, I think, the so called PR’s face in India. They should at least do something to save the dignity of the people who are behind their success, their employees. These associations should have some back bone and not just be networking platforms.
Good piece Hobbit keep it up.
On Dec 20, 2006, Anonymous said:
y not publish names or atleast initials of the corrupt guys in journalism so that everyone knows– PR guys who they can bribe.. and Journos– whom to steer clear off?
On Dec 22, 2006, Anonymous said:
The Indian Media, Business bodies and Indian professionalisms are changing each and every day.
And we have different flavors of PR professionals as well. The core problem lies with top head of the industry.
Somehows there persist high level of insecurity and fake masks in Public Relation’s top guns.
I don not know how many PR agency actually have and practice a core value and defined job roles.
How many practice a proper training , rather than depending on a hit or lose formula of talent selection.
And we end up watching the young talents get kills their capacity and dreams every day.