On 24/10/06, Will Chapman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Nigel
>
> We are concentrating on the campaign. This, in my opinion is part of the
> campaign. Just today I was interviewed by a journalist and posed the
> scenario that Defra will never reverse the cuts and that Brown will
> just ignore the argument that Defra's losses should be covered by
> contingency reserves.
>
> Last week I would have been lost for an answer. Today I was able to put
> forward ideas and arguments that have been discussed in this thread.
> So please, share your arguments with us.
>
> You sound as if you have special knowledge on the issue; if so, your
> contribution would be especially relevant.
>
> Cheers
>
> --
>
> Will Chapman
> Save Our Waterways
> www.SaveOurWaterways.org.uk
Will
All I'm saying is there a danger in getting sidetracked - just as
there is a danger with other campaigns (eg Oxford) getting in the way
of the simple "stop the cuts" message.
And if everyone bears that in mnd I certainly do not want to stop any
interesting discussion in semi-private on this list - and I may chip
in.
I don't claim any specialist knowledge of BW that I'm holding back,
though I do know quite a lot about how government works and how to
influence this as it's my day job - and I do chip in on this when I
think it's helpful, (though I claim no monopoly of wisdom.)
I do also know quite a bit about "media handling", and my advice is
don't always answer the question asked as you shouldn't always feel
you have to accept the logic of the question.
While I'm sure you did a great job in the interview, I think my
response would have been more along the lines of "we're not accepting
that can happen. I have every confidence that the huge campaign we are
organising can stop these DEFRA cuts and that's where we are putting
our energy"
While it would be a mistake to publish it widely I would advise SoW to
have some briefing notes for interviewees on how to handle tough
questions. You don't have to appear like a dodgy MP escaping a Jeremy
Paxman grilling, but you are always in a competition in an interview
to get your view across, and if necessary contest the interviewer's
approach. They are likely to ask tough questions as that's how you
make interesting TV and radio. Fair enough, but it's also your job to
get your points across and not be distracted.
--
Nigel Stanley
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