Media request for interview

It's more common than people think that businesses work with media. This can be very positive for your business, but you need to know what you're doing.

Don't be overawed by media. It's a business, too, and you're providing the stock in trade with your interview.

A few basic myths to be exploded:

You do not have to accept an offer of an interview
You do not have to answer questions if you think you shouldn't
You can request advance notice of questions
You can request advance copies of your interview, called 'proofs'.
You can demand publication be withheld prior to your approval of the content.
You can set the time, place, and rules for the interview.

You should check out thoroughly the subject matter of the interview.

You're within your rights to require this information, and you may also need to prepare your answers.

In some cases you may even need to seek legal advice on your answers, or whether you can (or should) discuss the interview subjects at all.

The example below is of a reply to an interview request by TV media. The writer obviously doesn't want to discuss some subjects, and has time constraints.

Example

Business letterhead

Addressee

Your reference
Our reference
Contacts

Dear…

Request for interview

I refer to your email requesting a TV interview regarding my relationship with ABCDE Ltd.

I agree to the interview, on the following terms:

The interview will be held on my business premises, on 10th July 2010.
The period of the interview will not exceed two hours.
Questions must be provided one week in advance of the date of interview.
I reserve the right to decline to answer any questions.
Matters currently before the Supreme Court will not be discussed.
No reference to any matters subject to business confidentiality will be discussed.
Two proof copies of the interview must be provided and approved in writing by me prior to broadcast.
No rights to retransmission will be given to any other broadcaster without approval of content.

If these terms are acceptable, please so advise in writing.

Yours sincerely

Sign
Title
Date

Disclaimer

Please note:

This text is intended for advisory and guideline purposes only.

Any business letter can become a legal document, so check your content properly before issuing.

Any executable or statutorily defined document should be checked for compliance with legal requirements, and you should seek legal advice regarding its contents.