I nearly sent this privately to Lyla, but realized others of us may be
interviewed by the media and could benefit from this.

My husband and I serve on the board of directors of our state homeschool
organization and speak to the media pretty frequently.  The best advice I've
received was from Home School Legal Defense Association.  They recommended
that you develop the message you want to get across beforehand- choose about
3 key points you want to make.  Think them through, even write them down,
and get them into a well-spoken "sound bite".  When you are interviewed, use
the questions the interviewer asks as hooks to hang *your* messages on.

This is really important when advocating a cause (like breastfeeding or
homeschooling) which the interviewer may not be very knowledgeable about.
If you merely follow their lead, passively answering their questions, you
may find the interview going in a direction that is not helpful to your
cause - either because the interviewer is asking newby questions - and
straying off the purpose of the interview - or because the interviewer is
seeking out the most sensational aspects they can.

For radio and television, remember that ultimately, what you say will
probably be cut down to a few seconds.  It is critically important that
*whichever* 10 or 20 second bite they choose stays on topic and can't be
misconstrued.  Keep your message direct, simple, and don't give a lot of
background during the interview.  The time to do background with the
interviewer is before you are on the air, while they are chatting to make
you more comfortable.

I hope that helps a little, Lyla, and I hope the interview is wonderful!  I
am noticing more harassment around here - hope your interview helps in that
area!

Melanie Young,
LLLL, IBCLC

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