Not counting the writers/reporters who have been on LACTNET on occasion
(and who have written FACTUALLY ACCURATE pieces), all LCs need to be aware
that most reporters know less about a subject they have been given to write
about/or are seeking information about than the people they interview.  The
outcome is they may misinterpret what they are told.  Some also have
another agenda (another problem entirely, though one can certainly feed
into the other).

In addition, they are under NO OBLIGATION to show an interviewee ANYTHING
about what they have written following a conversation with that individual.
In some cases, magazine writers will have to turn their material over to a
FACT CHECKER (a different person) who will call the person quoted and
verify that the quote is accurate, but here too, neither the author of the
piece nor the magazine that has contracted to pay for it is under an
obligation to show the piece to anyone in advance who was
quoted/interviewed/served as a research source.

You can ask, but do not hold your breath.

When you are approached by a reporter, before you open your mouth, read the
guest editorial by Meta Levin that appeared in JHL in 1995 (I believe).
She outlines some things you need to know.

Be up front with the reporter at the outset of the piece.  If you have been
badly burned in the past (I Have, too) say so.  Indicate that you are
hesitant to share information unless you are informed HOW that information
will be used.  If possible, request a pre-pub copy or at the very least, an
opportunity to verify that any quotes are accurate if linked to your
name/institution.

Pray a lot!

When the article comes out and it is accurate, THANK the reporter.  A nice
note will work. In one case, I took some fresh-cut flowers from my garden
tot he reporter (at her office).  This impressed all who were there when I
delivered them.  (I viewed this as one way to encourage accurate reporting
by others, tho I have no way of knowing if it worked.)

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"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly
disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Ferndale, WA USA) [log in to unmask]
WEB PAGE: http://www.telcomplus.com/~kga/lactation.html
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