Libel series lifts the lid
By Andy Pearson
Some complexities of dealing with the media are being laid bare in a TV documentary series.
The latest edition of See You in Court aired last night on BBC One and followed two men as they fought cases of defamation in the national press.
Psychic performer Uri Geller was fighting a tabloid and a TV network over allegations they made about his relationship with Michael Jackson.
Questioning
Former Met Police commander Ali Dizaei was seen questioning whether critical Press coverage about him was always entirely fair and accurate.
One strong link was the frustration experienced by high-profile individuals in trying to understand the mind-set of the media.
Last week’s episode – with Sheryl Gascoigne and Lembit Opik – revealed more of the same.
So is it really worth engaging with the media when you know that things can go wrong; when you know that journalists want “negative” stories as well as the “positive?”
Well, yes it is.
Responsible
The vast majority of journalists, in my experience of 28 years working in and with the media, are sound and responsible.
And with guidance from good PR professionals there’s every reason to believe that your good reputation can be upheld and enhanced through engagement with the media.
Yes, there’ll always be mistakes, bad apples and elements of the media which thrive on sensationalism but my advice is: Get to know the good guys and those who match your market; understand which papers, magazines and broadcasters are the best to deal with … and give them material which is mutually beneficial.
That way, they get a good story, you get some positive PR.
By all means tune in for next week’s See You In Court, BBC One, April 12.
And don’t let it put you off!
Tags: Ali Dizaei, BBC TV, Cardiff, defamation, Lembit Opik, libel, Michael Jackson, PR, PR agency, See You in Court, Sheryl Gascoigne, Uri Geller, Wales
