I have always been proud to work with the media and have taken every opportunity to promote the importance of participating in media requests because I believe wholeheartedly in what a free press means to a democratic society. There are also other (less lofty) benefits, both for institutions and for individuals, when we maintain good relationships with reporters.
Lately, though, it’s been more challenging to keep up the same level of enthusiasm. Media missteps, inappropriate behavior by journalists, and the infiltration of fake news are starting to take a toll. The news media seems to be changing, and along with it, how we do media relations on college campuses is different.
I shared more thoughts on this subject, including how we can respond, with Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action blog.