I ran for public office last November. Very little in this article appears to be useful, except as "one reporters rant" - i.e. take it with a pinch of salt. With one exception, every newspaper interview I had was conducted via email.
If that book isn't available, get any book you can from the library and/or local bookstore on media appearances. The skill you use when interviewing for a job isn't that different from being interviewed by a journalist.
One of the essential points is that you have a few (hopefully compelling) set of "talking points." The ranter called it "stick religiously to some pre-cooked three point memo and ignore all other questions". Sticking to them "religiously" is wrong, but having 3 (and three is an extremely powerful storytelling number) points is important. The key is to not sound like a drone reading a powerpointless slide.
As for the "off the record" remark... nothing is off the record. Ever. You might say it is, but it will get printed anyway if the editor wants it in.
One of the books available at my public library, which I felt was helpful is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Make-Most-Every-Media-Appearance/dp/00...
If that book isn't available, get any book you can from the library and/or local bookstore on media appearances. The skill you use when interviewing for a job isn't that different from being interviewed by a journalist.
One of the essential points is that you have a few (hopefully compelling) set of "talking points." The ranter called it "stick religiously to some pre-cooked three point memo and ignore all other questions". Sticking to them "religiously" is wrong, but having 3 (and three is an extremely powerful storytelling number) points is important. The key is to not sound like a drone reading a powerpointless slide.
As for the "off the record" remark... nothing is off the record. Ever. You might say it is, but it will get printed anyway if the editor wants it in.