Chapter 7. TWENTY WHAT-IFS
"I have been cautioned to talk but be careful not to say anything."
As should be clear by now, many reporters and journalists are skilled at duping prospective interview subjects. Leading questions, suggestive questions, and implied dilemmas are just a few of the tricks they use to confuse spokespeople or newsmakers and bolster a prospective story. The danger to spokespeople is when they become increasingly frustrated with the reporter and fall into the trap of acting defensively or ill-tempered. It can be a classic case of winning the battle but losing the war, with trust being a key casualty. At the same time, a potential interviewee cannot tell a reporter, "I want to see your questions in advance," or "I ...
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