Another paddler makes the news! There is a lesson to be had from this incident, and one that is not preaching to the choir. We can educate the messenger. In a situation such as this one that features in the mainstream media, we in the know will often find fault with the reports. Understand that the journo writing the article has almost certainly been told the story by someone else, be they emergency services, bystanders, or possibly the concerned party. It would be nice to think that the reporter would then cross-check and verify the details, but the reality is they will have been given the story to write between five other things to do before finishing work. They probably know nothing about paddling, and care even less. This is not to knock the media, it is simply life. I have been in daily newspapers for 17 years, and see it happen every day. What can we do? Make contact with your local media outlets and tell them if you are doing something which they may be interested in. Smaller newspapers, for example, often need photographs for quiet news days, and kayak rescue sessions etc. can make good "fillers". Don't be grumpy if they don't make the paper, in this case that is not the point. You will then be in their contact book, and hopefully you will get a call if they need comment on a situation such as the one that started this discussion. This is your chance to put the record straight, before it is released. A few of words of warning. 1. Once in a contact book, you don't get out. 2. Don't make inflammatory statements. They WILL come back to haunt you. 3. If asked to comment on something about which you don't have the full details, decline until you have those facts. 4. The media is a two-edged sword. They will show no favouritism and it could be you they are chasing next week. To demonstrate how it can work: In December 2002 a kayaker went missing in my local area. Despite sitting metres away from the reporter doing the story I wasn't asked to assist, despite everyone he spoke to outside work referring him back to me. When I heard about it I helped with his story, and a follow-up when the body was recovered. I then contacted the police dealing with the inquiry, and was later asked to prepare a report for the coroner. At the inquest the coroner made very positive references to my report and endorsed my recommendations. This was picked up on by my own paper, and a local TV station. By this round-about means the situation was reported accurately, the coroner didn't make uninformed decisions, and no-one was tempted to suggest silly law changes. Our national organisation, KASK (Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers, NZ inc), has followed my example and is preparing a panel of "expert witnesses" to work alongside any investigating body in similar situations. John Dowd, author and expedition paddler, among many other things, (and of course an ex-pat Kiwi) said at a recent symposium in Auckland that sea kayaking was about freedom. To ensure that freedom in this world of regulation and litigation we need to pick our fights and use our experience wisely. Rather than grumble in a list like Paddlewise, we should use the contacts it offers to influence the decision makers. Anyone interested in my report for the coroner, drop me a line. Cheers JKA -- John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula NEW ZEALAND *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> A few of words of warning. > 1. Once in a contact book, you don't get out. > Not always. There is a local reporter in the NJ area who occasionally does paddling related stories. If you are interviewed for a story, you will never be interviewed again even if you might be the acknowledged resource for that topic. He will dig out another person to interview even if that one might not know much about the subject. His thinking seems to be that you have had your 15 minutes so.... BTW, I don't believe this reporter has ever paddled. Normally this is not a big issue but it does mean that if you have a press release from a club or advocacy group wherein you are trying to "educate the messenger", it vanishes. Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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