Talking to the press at a protest

The essentials

• You don't have to answer. Saying no is a normal answer.
• One message, one sentence, about the substance, not about people.
• Speak for yourself or for the group, never on behalf of someone else.
• Don't give identifying details you don't want published: name, employer, neighbourhood.

A microphone held out at a protest is a chance to get a message across, and a risk of being misquoted or identified. This guide helps you decide before you are facing the mic. For filming, see Filming law enforcement; for not relaying false news, Check a story and avoid disinformation.

Before

• Decide who speaks. In a group, choose in advance one or two people who answer, with a shared message.
• Prepare one sentence: who we are, what we ask, what people can do. No more.
• Decide what you will not say: your full name, employer, address, what you know about other people.

Facing the mic

• You can refuse, or answer without showing your face: say so beforehand and ask how the shot will be framed.
• Answer the question you decided to address, not the one asked if it's a trap. "What matters to us is…".
• Avoid figures you cannot source: a wrong toll will be quoted and resurface. See Check a story.
• Avoid words that expose you: threats, accusations against named people, support for violence. A single sentence can be reused alone.
• Speak as "we" for the group rather than describing other people's acts.

After

• Note the outlet and the date, and keep a record of what was said.
• If there is an error or your words are distorted, ask the outlet for a correction. You can also contact the CDJM — Conseil de déontologie journalistique et de médiation (journalism ethics and mediation council) or, for television and radio, Arcom — Régulateur de l'audiovisuel et du numérique.
• Don't share a clip that targets you without thinking about exposure: see Social media: don't feed hate.

In one of these situations? a journalist or press photographer

Sources

This guide gives communication advice, not legal advice. If in doubt about a publication, ask a lawyer.