True story:
I made 74 press requests for women & 15 for men on [topic]. No women give interviews (although several suggested other names). 11 men gave interviews, 2 stating they weren't experts.
5:1 ratio. Still failed.
I made 74 press requests for women & 15 for men on [topic]. No women give interviews (although several suggested other names). 11 men gave interviews, 2 stating they weren't experts.
5:1 ratio. Still failed.
Note: This was an unusual & frustrating Epic Fail for me.
I typically get a slightly higher rejection rate from women than men when making press requests, but can often ask why & find a way to make it work.
I typically get a slightly higher rejection rate from women than men when making press requests, but can often ask why & find a way to make it work.
Reasons I get rejected when making press requests:
1. No time. (Fair, women get disproportional service demands.)
2. Insufficient expertise
3. Discomfort with press
4. Referral to a greater authority (disproportionally to men)
5. Unfamiliarity with exact topic
I push back on 2-5
1. No time. (Fair, women get disproportional service demands.)
2. Insufficient expertise
3. Discomfort with press
4. Referral to a greater authority (disproportionally to men)
5. Unfamiliarity with exact topic
I push back on 2-5
For 3: Sometimes women are more comfortable if I provide a question list, do the interview via email, or allow someone else (PR person, advisor) to monitor the interview.
For 2, 4, & 5: Explaining I don't need the Most Expert Expert, just someone familiar with the field who can talk to me NOW often helps.
ProTip: The Most Expert Experts often get caught up in nuanced jargon or forgets we lack their context, making them difficult to quote.
ProTip: The Most Expert Experts often get caught up in nuanced jargon or forgets we lack their context, making them difficult to quote.
I've occasionally been rejected for:
6. Distrust of press
For that, I can push back by providing links to my work and inviting them to google my byline. My work makes it clear I respect science & do my best to be accurate.
6. Distrust of press
For that, I can push back by providing links to my work and inviting them to google my byline. My work makes it clear I respect science & do my best to be accurate.
It is ENTIRELY FAIR to turn down interview requests from anyone for any reason. It's kind to offer alternatives when rejecting an interview, but again, no obligation. You don't owe journalists your time & energy.
ProTip for seeking women (or any underrepresented people!) for activities: Follow up to find out WHY they turn you down. Understanding that will help you address barriers that may be invisible to you.
(But don't corner them. They don't owe you answers.)
(But don't corner them. They don't owe you answers.)
Most common reasons I personally turn down requests:
1. Logistics
2. Ethics
Reasons I conditionally accept requests:
3. I think it's outside my expertise. I'll explain where my limits are and allow journalist to decide if it fits their needs.
1. Logistics
2. Ethics
Reasons I conditionally accept requests:
3. I think it's outside my expertise. I'll explain where my limits are and allow journalist to decide if it fits their needs.
Q: How do ethics lead you to auto-reject an interview request?!
A: Conflict of interest, violation of confidentiality agreements, directly or indirectly supports or promotes something I deem immoral, and/or involves creeps from my personal blacklist
A: Conflict of interest, violation of confidentiality agreements, directly or indirectly supports or promotes something I deem immoral, and/or involves creeps from my personal blacklist
