NY Times editor Strum tells faculty how to deal with press

Author: Stephanie Joyce

When banks fail or war breaks out in an isolated region of the world, the public and reporters turn to the experts for answers. As Middlebury is increasingly present on the national stage, faculty and staff are being contacted for comment on topics ranging from sustainable development to youth drinking and everything in between. In order to better prepare faculty and staff to work with the media, the Public Affairs office arranged a talk on Oct. 23 about 'When the Media Call' with Chuck Strum, managing editor at The New York Times and father of Alec Strum '08.

Citing a reporter's need to "answer questions now or sooner," Strum cautioned that "truth, [for reporters], is what [they] know on deadline." Strum highlighted the importance of meaning what you say and saying what you mean in his discussion of current news media. In today's wired world, "whatever you did or said now orbits in perpetuity on the Internet," he said.

Strum also reflected on the ease with which people divulge information when they are allowed to the be the center of attention, warning the audience, "your interest is in getting things right, not just getting noticed."

Despite these words of caution, Strum encouraged faculty and staff to talk to the media as a means not only of getting their own voice heard, but also of getting Middlebury's voice heard. In addition to the pragmatic reasons of disseminating information and getting one's name in the paper, Strum cited a more idealistic reason for speaking to the media; "helping formulate a smart newspaper article is a painless and inexpensive way to help prove that the liberal arts are more than just relevant, it helps prove that they are invaluable."

Public Affairs Office Director Sarah Ray continued this theme in her remarks.

"Every time one of us [Middlebury faculty and staff] speaks to the media, we're representing Middlebury College," she told attendees. She added later that it is a real success "when [reporters] call [faculty and staff], from any paper. There are how many college and universities in the United States and how many experts that they could have picked, and we're [Public Affairs] really trying to get them to pick the Middlebury faculty and staff."

Ray later noted that while not quantifiable, she has "definitely seen a general increase in the number of faculty and staff being courted [by newspapers]," in the 11 years she has been at Middlebury.

Speaking as part of a panel discussion following the talk, Associate Professor of Psychology Barbara Hofer commented that despite her general reluctance to speak to the media, she continues to contribute to articles because "it is good for Middlebury." She also cited a "hidden agenda" of trying to include students in interviews showcase their role in faculty research. As a small liberal arts college, Middlebury's students have a unique opportunity to participate in faculty research, something that reflects well on the institute and quality of education.

Also speaking as part of the panel, Professor of History Don Wyatt addressed the importance of helping the public understand issues normally restricted to the academic sphere through the news media.

"We're better positioned in this age when we are witnessing the demise of the so-called public intellectual, to fill that role than any other area of academe," Wyatt said, referencing the importance of the liberal arts professor. "It's really important to take up the gauntlet and make the case for the liberal arts and liberal education and one of the best ways to do it is to put it before the public in a way that it can be consumed."

Although the Public Affairs Office doesn't have plans at this time to conduct a similar workshop for students, given the interest that professors have in including students in interviews, the idea will be considered in the future.