Clarity Solutions
  • Home
  • Training Programs
    • Media Training >
      • Media Essentials
      • Managing Your Media Performance
      • 30 Minutes with the Media
      • Media Crisis Plans that Work
    • Crisis Training >
      • Crisis Essentials
      • Crisis Workout
      • Crisis Fundamentals
    • Executive Coaching >
      • What To Expect
    • Presentation Skills
    • Strategic Communication >
      • High Stakes Speech and Presentation Skills
      • Speech & Presentation Skills
      • Strategic Conversations
      • Communicate Leadership
    • Thought Leadership
    • Social Media
  • Resource Hub
    • Interview Tips
    • Crisis Media Tips
    • Visual Language >
      • Memorable One-Liners
    • Dressing For Television
    • Sounding Great On Radio & Podcasts
    • Social Media For Business
    • Perfect PowerPoint
    • Clearway Blog
  • About Clarity
    • Meet The Team >
      • Geoffrey Stackhouse
      • Sharon Leifer
    • Why Clarity?
    • How to Choose a Trainer
  • Contact Us

        Clearway Blog


NEVER ARGUE WITH AN IDIOT

30/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Even by Fox News' standards, this must rank as one of the most embarrassing TV interviews ever. It's a reminder to never argue with stupid people.
Geoffrey Stackhouse, Managing Director, Clarity Solutions

Every journalist knows that truth is often the first casualty of war.

And we have seen daily proof in Australia and around the world. Particularly with MH17 and the Hamas/Israel conflict played out in our mainstream media and social media.

But what do you do when caught in a vicious cycle of hate in the media spotlight?
 
There are a few tried and trusted techniques, but it’s hard to go past 'grace under fire' which is clearly demonstrated in one of the most cringeworthy interviews where  a religious scholar is attacked on Fox News.


Fox News anchor Lauren Green clearly thought she was opening her interview with religious historian Reza Aslan by asking a killer question:

"You're a Muslim, so why did you write a book about the founder of Christianity?

Set aside the religious content – it’s Christian versus Islam – and focus on how the interviewee stays calm and tries to bridge to his key message so he can spruik his book. It’s a long interview but the first three minutes give you the flavour of where it’s going (but 9:14 is a classic moment).

Even for Fox this interview shows new lows in broadcast journalism, but here's what I learned from Resa Aslan:

Keep calm and stay courteous at all times. When you give in to conflict and vent your anger you lose in the court of public opinion. Or more simply - never argue with an idiot, bystanders won’t be able to see the difference.

When you make a claim you need to back it up. Aslan calmly delivers compelling evidence to support his case, which makes the interviewer look even more foolish as she persists in her attack.

Focus on the facts: Outrage is the most powerful force in the world today – it manipulates public opinion and triggers the madness of the mob. When you see an outrage group in action, step back from the emotion and focus on the facts.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.


    Blog Archive

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    Book Your
    ​Training
Subscribe for Updates
Picture
 02 9880 8544

Picture
clarity@claritysolutions.com.au

Home / Training / Resources
About / Contact / FAQ
  • Home
  • Training Programs
    • Media Training >
      • Media Essentials
      • Managing Your Media Performance
      • 30 Minutes with the Media
      • Media Crisis Plans that Work
    • Crisis Training >
      • Crisis Essentials
      • Crisis Workout
      • Crisis Fundamentals
    • Executive Coaching >
      • What To Expect
    • Presentation Skills
    • Strategic Communication >
      • High Stakes Speech and Presentation Skills
      • Speech & Presentation Skills
      • Strategic Conversations
      • Communicate Leadership
    • Thought Leadership
    • Social Media
  • Resource Hub
    • Interview Tips
    • Crisis Media Tips
    • Visual Language >
      • Memorable One-Liners
    • Dressing For Television
    • Sounding Great On Radio & Podcasts
    • Social Media For Business
    • Perfect PowerPoint
    • Clearway Blog
  • About Clarity
    • Meet The Team >
      • Geoffrey Stackhouse
      • Sharon Leifer
    • Why Clarity?
    • How to Choose a Trainer
  • Contact Us