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<font face="Trebuchet MS">As someone who is often in the position of
having to write press releases and press statements for a wide variety
of organizations I agree with Ronnie's point about 'spin'. However,
that doesn't preclude us from being clear about what we want to say and
saying it clearly and forcefully in a language that the press will
understand. We can't control the way our message is written up but we
can reduce the possibility of being misunderstood and misquoted ( and I
know that some media will write what they want anyway etc..). We can
also be conscious of the difference between a statement and a news
release. I think civil society organizations have to get used to
producing copy that doesn't have all the nuances and qualifications if
we want to get into a form that the press can actually use.<br>
<br>
We should have press strategy for Geneva and for Tunis. <br>
<br>
I don't know if I'll be in Tunis but I hope to be in Geneva for the
second week and am willing to help..I'm sure there must be others on
this list who have some journalistic/pr experience.<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
<br>
Jim McDonnell<br>
</font>
<address><font face="Trebuchet MS">Dr Jim McDonnell, MCIPR</font></address>
<address><font face="Trebuchet MS">Director of Advocacy and Public
Relations</font></address>
<font face="Trebuchet MS">SIGNIS (World Catholic Association
for Communication)</font><br>
<br>
Ronald Koven wrote:
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type="cite">
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Dear Bertrand --
What makes you think we are pleased to be manipulated by pols ?
The general disillusion with politics starts with the attitudes of the
press, and that stems from the perception that politicians try to
manipulate us journalists. When they actually succeed for a time (as they
inevitably must occasionally do since they control so much information),
that only increases the resentment once we realize we've been had.
Journalists are only (all too) human.
When things go wrong for politicians -- toutes tendances confondues, one of
their first lines of defense is to blame it on the stupidity, venality, or
whatever of the press. Surely, you don't mean to fall into the trap of
accepting that old political trick, do you ?
Best, Rony Koven
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