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When calling the press, give the right address
A few hours ago, Thomas Demopolis of the Post Star and I were the only two members of the press to attend a press conference called by 112th Assembly District candidate Tony Jordan.
It's unclear if others meant to attend, and simply got lost on the way. See, the directions given to the press told us to take the Northway to exit 11, and then drive EAST toward Ruhle Road. Well, Ruhle Road is WEST of the Northway. Of course, I'm not from Malta, so I didn't know that, and I was more than a little pissed when I found myself in Round Lake, nowhere near the press conference.
A call to Jordan's press representative got me on the right track, but the question has got to be, what can we expect from a candidate who can't even give accurate direction to a press conference?
Well, I know the old rule of thumb of journalism is: "If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out," but one thing that I generally take as fact is directions to a run-of-the-mill press conference like today's event. Next time, I'll check it out.
Perhaps the funniest moment of the event came when Thomas arrived, and noted that he had also got lost, after judging east based on the position of the sun in the sky. "Well, it can be hard when the sun is overhead," said Jordan's PR guy. Give me a break. Everyone knows which way east is.
The press conference was very much like any other press conference. You can read about Jordan's ideas for saving the state in tomorrow's paper.
It's unclear if others meant to attend, and simply got lost on the way. See, the directions given to the press told us to take the Northway to exit 11, and then drive EAST toward Ruhle Road. Well, Ruhle Road is WEST of the Northway. Of course, I'm not from Malta, so I didn't know that, and I was more than a little pissed when I found myself in Round Lake, nowhere near the press conference.
A call to Jordan's press representative got me on the right track, but the question has got to be, what can we expect from a candidate who can't even give accurate direction to a press conference?
Well, I know the old rule of thumb of journalism is: "If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out," but one thing that I generally take as fact is directions to a run-of-the-mill press conference like today's event. Next time, I'll check it out.
Perhaps the funniest moment of the event came when Thomas arrived, and noted that he had also got lost, after judging east based on the position of the sun in the sky. "Well, it can be hard when the sun is overhead," said Jordan's PR guy. Give me a break. Everyone knows which way east is.
The press conference was very much like any other press conference. You can read about Jordan's ideas for saving the state in tomorrow's paper.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
5:25 PM
5 Comments:
Following yesterday's post on my trouble in finding Tony Jordan's press conference, I received a note from Jordan's spokesperson, Adam Kramer.
Kramer wanted it to be known that the campaign issued corrected directions to the venue, although I didn't see them until today. A little on the late side.
Kramer also states that he was misquoted, and never said "Well, it can be hard when the sun is overhead."
We also spoke on the phone twice today. In both conversations he maintained that he never said the above quote, although I'm quite certain I heard him say just that. I've made mistakes before, and I've owned up to them. This is not such a case.
Since there is no proof of a factual error, I see no reason to grant Kramer's request for a retraction, (which I told him), however, it seems fair enough to allow him to voice his concerns publicly. You can read the note he sent me, and draw your own conclusions.
Kramer's note follows:
Andrew,
I saw your blog post tonight http://saratogacitydesk.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-calling-press-give-right-address.html regarding Tony Jordan's tax relief press conference. I need to make you aware of a couple of important things that I believe warrant a retraction or at a minimum, correction of your post.
First, I recognize that you got lost today trying to find the site and I certainly regret that and am grateful that you were able to take time out of your busy day to cover Tony's press conference. I know you have a lot of options to cover for news stories and am glad you chose our event to attend.
As you know, the original media advisory that went out on Monday afternoon did not have the right directions. When we realized that the original media advisory said "East" instead of "West" I immediately corrected it in the revised media advisory that went out with the words "Please Note: Revised Directions to Press Conference" in bold at the top of the page (see attached).
Apparently, you were not given this revised media advisory with the correct directions that I sent out at 7:29 a.m. Tuesday morning to the news@saratogian.com main Saratogian email address as well as to emails to your colleagues Paul Post and Bev McKim. I also spoke with and emailed the revised media advisory with the corrected directions to Neil Kirby at 12:34 p.m. (Obviously, I didn't have your email until I met you today since I didn't know your were covering the event until you called me from your car). I spoke with Neil again several minutes later to double-check he received my email at which time he confirmed that another reporter would be covering the 2 p.m. presser.
As I am sure you are aware, PR folks can make mistakes just like any newspaper can. The important thing is I noticed the error and immediately took the appropriate corrective action to let the media know about the mistake well before the press conference took place.
Also, I strongly object to the accuracy of the quote attributed to me in your blog entry, "Well, it can be hard when the sun is overhead,' said Jordan's PR guy. "
I most certainly did not say that or anything of the kind and expect that to be corrected on your post.
Andrew, as a former journalist and someone who has been working in public relations and politics for more than a decade, I pride myself in my professionalism, accessibility, responsiveness to the press and pride in performance. I think if you talked to your peers such as Dennis Yusko and Jordan Carleo Evangelist at the TU, Bob Connor at the Daily Gazette, or Glenn Griffith with your sister publication Community News, you will hear that I have developed strong working relationships with them and that no matter how partisan or difficult the story I strive for accuracy and timeliness so that I am known as a trustworthy and responsive news source.
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter as it reflects on public perceptions of Mr. Jordan's candidacy and has a direct impact on my professional standing. I trust you will take corrective action to quickly remedy this situation as I did Tuesday morning when I discovered the directions were wrong.
Please feel free to call me on my cell phone, 441-5183 if you'd like to discuss this in further detail. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Adam Kramer
Tel: 441-5183
If a revised release was sent out, in a reasonable amount of time, then it is your fault for not reading the updated release.
Once again Andrew you have shown your neutrality and willingness to get the story right.
Maybe you should put that 160K of Liberal Arts Education at Skidmore to good use and look at the story fairly and in an even keel.
anon 9:30 -- "If a revised release was sent out, in a reasonable amount of time, then it is your fault for not reading the updated release."
-- I would have read it if I'd seen it. Clearly it was not sent out with enough lead time.
"Once again Andrew you have shown your neutrality and willingness to get the story right."
-- Thanks!! That's the nicest compliment I've got all day.
"Maybe you should put that 160K of Liberal Arts Education at Skidmore to good use and look at the story fairly and in an even keel."
-- Fairness and even keels are for the newspaper. I think you'll agree that my story on Mr. Jordan's ideas on how to protect our state's economy was fairly written, such as it was. It probably would have been fairer to get some comments on the issue from one of his opponents in the race for the 112th, but it was the first time I'd met Mr. Jordan, so I figured I'd let him have the spotlight.
To the Kramer Krewe-
The life of a Journalist is never easy. Public officials are obligated to provide him/her with the essential basics, especially in this wondrous cyber*age.
BUT... back in the Olden Dayes, mistakes happened and we all "let it slide." Yes Adam, I speak "as a former journalist."
NOW TODAY, for ANY "spokesperson" to defame, spin, or discredit an objective journalist... 'tis not worthy of comment.
ALAS!!!... I have a COMPUTER and the INTERNET! And so I will suggest that Kramer et al should crawl back under their rock.
TJ- Get yourself a professional staff and endeavor to do your best. But Tony's slander ain't makin' it.
-Kyle York
This is a great story. I'm sending Kramer a GPS and a double helping of mea culpa crow. More on Kramer tomorrow.
I just couldn't wait....
Kramer and Jimmy T's boys at RACC are into keeping Laing off the ballot at any price. But his other candidate in the lower Hudson has troubles of his own.
http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/07/17/check-it-out/
Adam D. Kramer called Galef’s objection “a shocking move that should send shivers down the spine of anyone who believes in democracy and the right of citizens to vote in contested elections.”
HYPOCRISY AT ITS FINEST ADAM!!!
You can't have it both ways Mr. Kramer.
Stay tuned Sports Fans!
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