Journalists do not purposefully try to
trick people, but there are questions which are
difficult to get out of, because of the way
they are phrased. This page has some common trick questions
and guidelines for how to answer them.
Note that our main goal is to follow our agenda. To do this
we need to take control of the interview. Taking control
means talking about what we want, and not what the journalist
wants. If you just focus on answering the question you will
be on the defensive most of the time and not in control.
If answering head on serves your agenda, then go for it,
but this is not typically the case.
This page just contains small examples for answering trick
questions. For detailed answers go to the
KeyMessages or
AnticipateQuestions pages.
Asking a question where both alternatives are false. For example:
"Do ashers encourage suicide or are they just too focused on
themselves to realize the effect of the group on its readers?"
Respond by ignoring the alternatives and focusing on your message.
By doing this you take control instead of allowing the journalist
to take control. For example:
For an agenda of attracting potential ashers:
"Ashers share experiences and feelings openly in a way which
is not possible even with psychologists or close family members.
Many friendships have been formed in ash, and some couples
have even married."
For the "counter-attack" agenda:
"It is psychologists who encourage suicide by limiting discussion...
Stating a questionable statement as if it was a fact, and
then continuing the question, based on that "fact". For example:
"Ash has a negative influince on its readers. So, why are you
still participating?"
Answer by correcting the questionable statement, and countering it. For example:
"I think Ash plays a positive role in the lives of
its members. At least that is what I personally
feel from my participation."
A question which is based on a quote from an absent
party, for example, a psycholgist or a survivor, whom the
journalist interviewed earlier. For example:
"I interviewed psychologist James Lemely who said
that forums like ash encourage suicide even if the
participants do not do so explicitly, what are you
doing to prevent suicides?".
If you cannot respond to such a quote, don't argue
with them. Instead, turn to something else.
For example: "I'm not familiar with that remark,
but ... (bridge to one of your key messages).
Asking a question, which when answered in detail
can produce a negative quote. For example:
- question: Did you provide drugs to the late Jim Crane?
- answer: I did not provide drugs to Jim Crane.
- Article headline: Member of internet newsgroup
claims he did not provide drugs to Jim Crane.
The solution is not to repeat the words that the
reporter used to phrase the question. Try to answer
on neutral terms. For example: "That is a question
that I will not dignify with an answer".
