It’s been my policy to restrict Media’s Masters and Disaters to video examples. But something came across my desk today that forced an exception.
It’s a three-line email written, apparently, by a spokesman for the Chief of Police in New Haven, CT. It also may be the work of a hacker or a police department prankster who hijacked the public information officer’s email account.
I almost hope that is the case.
Excessive Use of Force
It’s not what you say, it’s how you (don’t) say it
A reporter is trained to pursue information persistently and aggressively (not all of them strive to beat the competition; only the ones who want to keep their jobs). They should perform their duties courteously, as should police spokespersons. Is it possible the media did something incredibly unprofessional in this case? Sure. But what was the goal of Officer Hartman’s tirade, and what will be the consequences?
Don’t get me wrong: You shouldn’t respond to the media a minute before you are ready to do so. Unfortunately, Hartman’s condescending email was a response in and of itself. And thanks to the digital media age (NewsBlues in this case), it has gone well beyond New Haven and landed on your screen.
Can’t live with them, can’t live without them, can’t send them mean emails
