Sharing A Message Despite Retaliation Anxiety
For many people and organizations working for social justice, there is a feeling of anxiety around the possibility of backlash to the work. The current administration is purging “woke” words from government resources and public research grants. There have been crackdowns on universities and students for certain policies or speech. There is even pressure on businesses to remove DEI policies. Many people are nervous to speak out for fear of reprisal.
However, there are other dangers in not speaking up. If social justice advocates go silent, injustices could go unchecked. The question is, how do you find that balance between sharing your message and protecting yourself? While it may be difficult, it is possible. Here are some tips for speaking out despite retaliation anxiety.
Prepare Well
Before going into an interview, make sure you have a clear understanding of your expectations and your boundaries. Going into a conversation unprepared will make it far more likely that you go off message. You will also squander precious time by not communicating key points.
Stay up to date with the topic. Many issues are fast-developing and will have new updates frequently. You want to stay abreast of relevant news so you aren’t surprised. This will allow you to provide the most up to date perspective.
Know who will be interviewing you. Conduct research on the person conducting the interview. Learn their style, proclivities and beliefs. This will help you interview with confidence. Researching the journalist will also allow you to make meaningful connections with the interviewer and hopefully be invited back for a subsequent discussion.
Review organizational guidelines on public outreach. If there are any restrictions on words, topics, or takes to avoid, be sure you keep these in mind. Make note of alternative phrasings for a host of issues. There are ways to talk about an issue while avoiding taboo terms or stances. Be prepared to pivot and reframe the conversation in a way that is mutually beneficial to you and the interviewer while remaining within approved organizational guidelines.
Set Boundaries
Know what you are and are not willing to comment on and then communicate that with the interviewer. Think about what questions a reporter may ask, and which you are willing to answer. If tricky questions come up that could take you off message, know that it’s okay to redirect the question. You’re in charge, and you don’t have to share anything you’re not comfortable sharing.
Be mindful of the length of the interview. Have an expectation of how long you’ll be speaking, and aim to stay around 20 to 30 minutes. The longer the interview, the greater the risk. It’s okay to tell a reporter that you must be completed within a specific time frame (prior to the interview).
Always position things from the point of view of your organization. Most topics don’t need to get swept up in political stances to make a point. If you speak from your context as a leader in your field, you can offer insight unique to your experience.
Maintain Open Communication
If you are speaking on behalf of an organization, communicate the organizational position.
Stay on top of your organization’s outreach policy. With external pressures, there may be changing expectations or restrictions on messaging. You don’t want to worry about backlash within your organization as well as external opposition.
If you are struggling with new guidelines or feeling like you aren’t speaking freely, communicate your feelings to the appropriate person within your organization. A direct and well-timed discussion is much better than walking on eggshells. Your feelings are always valid and deserve to be shared.
Finally, always keep your PR team in the loop of your concerns and questions. PR departments exist to anticipate and resolve challenges. Many would love to help you think through how to communicate even in uncertain times. Spotlight PR is also a resource for you and your team. We are here to help you build your platform and protect your brand. With significant crisis communications experience, we are your best friend in good and bad times.
Sophia Shannon is a media relations associate for Spotlight PR LLC. Be sure to check out our other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.