Thread by @JonathanMalloy

Like many political scientists, I get calls from journalists and producers looking for commentary on politics, especially now during #elxn43 in Canada. So here is a series of tips for political scientists (and others) on doing media commentary:

Now, by "commentary" I specifically mean reactions to political news and developments, not features on one's own research.

Political scientists can get a lot of calls on issues in their general area (e.g. Canadian politics), even if it's outside their specific research focus.

Some is what I call "dial-a-quote" commentary. Reporters don't really want our deep thoughts; they just need an expert to supply a suitable quote in the right place. "Party A says this. Party B says that. But political scientist XXX says 'both are kind of right.'"

Dial-a-quote does have its place. But other inquiries are more substantive. Journalists are looking for perspective and expertise, and we can provide that.

So, three packets of advice on this for political scientists, at all career stages (tenure track, PhDs, adjuncts, etc.).

FIRST, do you need to do commentary at all? Do you need to return those emails/calls?

No. But...

Recognize there's a contradiction between parts of the university here. The good people in the communications dept, whose job is to get the university name out there, would certainly appreciate it if you could do some media.

(Good people like @BethGorham and @simplewords000)

But that part of the university doesn't oversee academic hiring or tenure/promotion. While media activity nicely rounds out a file, it will never itself get you a job, or cover gaps.

A little media work is good.
A lot is...still only good. (And I've done a lot)

[There can be a misunderstanding between media and academics on this point. Producers/reporters are sometimes taken aback at how uncooperative academics can be....and academics get mad at how pushy the media can be...

But academics don't get much career credit for doing media. While they are always very conscious of preserving their time for things that do.

In contrast, many people outside academia want media visibility, for career or ego reasons. So they make themselves very available.]

Having said that, I think academics should do _some_ media if asked. Because:

1) It contributes to public understanding.
2) It can help clarify your own ideas and thinking, especially for teaching.
3) Okay, ego. It can be gratifying.

SECOND: Set your boundaries.

-don't feel obligated to do anything outside of business hours
-don't feel obligated to do things away from your workplace
-don't feel obligated to frantic requests

You can still do these, but notice the repetition above. Do what YOU want to do.

Also...let's talk money. Media outlets are not rolling in $ these days. But if asked to do clearly inconvenient things - things that take away from teaching, research, and most of all, personal time - don't hesitate to ask for compensation or say no. (But be nice.)

I'm so old I remember when 4-person TV crews - reporter, producer, camera and sound people - would journey down to my office. That was super-convenient.

Now, I decline to do pretty much any TV because it's almost all live, in studio or by Skype, and way more stressful.

In contrast, I do a lot of live @cbcradio commentary, and really enjoy it. The hosts are excellent, the producers are breathtakingly skilled professionals, and sometimes I am compensated. And I can do it remotely.

I'm also happy to talk with print/online reporters and background researchers on the phone or by email, IF I think it's in my competence and I have the time. I try to be helpful, but never feel obligated. (See above).

THIRD, what to say.

Your best words: "I don't know." "I'm not sure." "This is not my area."

But recognize that if it's in your general research and teaching area, you probably DO know what to say. Be confident and embrace this.

If you teach and talk to students on these topics, you can talk to media on them too.

However, always express stuff in your own terms. Don't feel you have to respond the way a question is framed.

Reporters are not trying to trap you...but they may be focused on a particular angle, or that dial-a-quote. Help them see other perspectives. (As with students!)

Take your time. Talk slowly. Think things through.

You've got this.

Though remember the meter is always on. Unless you explicitly agree something is off the record, it might be quoted. I've never had a problem, except once many years ago when I said something offhand about myself that ended up in print. It was slightly embarrassing, only for me.

Final thoughts: all of the above applies to any academics, in any discipline, on any type of media engagement.

But political commentary is such a distinct genre for political scientists, and one we don't talk about enough. So I hope this was helpful.

Addendum - I should have explicitly mentioned this is all from a white male perspective. I recognize that women and racialized scholars report all kinds of backlash and crap that deters them from doing media. I don’t how to address that except to support them in their choices.