This is a thread with tips for professors who find themselves having to suddenly speak with the media a whole lot. I'm writing it after updating my log of reporter calls, which has exceeded 250 since mid-2019.

I had been a reporter for seven years before/during law school, so I thought I was prepared to talk with the media a lot. I definitely wasn't. Before the Section 230 issue exploded, I talked with reporters at most once a month. This was very different and I wasn't prepared.

1. Remember your priorities. Mine are: family, students, then everything else. Any obligation involving my wife, daughter, or students takes top priority. Likewise, I will never book an interview that conflicts with my class or student advising schedule. Teaching is my job.

2. Similarly, you might not be able to call every reporter back. When 230 first blew up and there were tons of errors in stories, I posted my email address and cell phone and said I'd talk with any reporter. That was a big mistake.

When the 230 executive order was released in May, I received more than 70 media calls. I tried but simply could not call them all back. From then on, I came to peace with the fact that I can't talk with everyone. And that is fine. You are not obligated to do every interview.

3. Conversely, if you are going to speak with a reporter, make sure that you have the time to talk them through any questions they have. The worst result for everyone is if you're rushed, and the article reflects an incomplete understanding of the subject.

And also remember that you are talking with a reporter who is writing for a general audience. Earlier this year, I almost bit my tongue after using the phrase "strict liability" on live talk radio.

4. If you are going to talk with a reporter, call back as soon as you possibly can. They are on deadlines, particularly with online publishing.

5. If you've been misquoted or misrepresented (I was a few times over the past year), tell the reporter immediately. Most of the time, they'll want to fix it or run a correction. Depending on the circumstances, that may dictate whether you want to talk with that reporter again.

You also can at least partly solve the trust problem by emailing answers rather than having a call. I prefer calls because 230 issues are complex and a back-and-forth is helpful. But emails provide a clear document of what you said.

6. Likewise, if you think that the reporter did a good job at representing a complex topic, let the reporter know. Most reporters who cover 230 on a regular basis do an excellent job. The problems arise when reporters swoop in with no experience with the subject (or op-eds!)

7. Sometimes, a story has a predetermined angle, and the reporter is looking for "the quote" that supports that angle. If it is something that you agree with, it's fine to provide "the quote." But don't let the interview drive you to say something you wouldn't have.

8. If you're doing TV, remember that Room Rater is classist garbage. Don't spend all day trying to perfect your TV shot. The entire phenomenon is ridiculous, and I hope it's a fad.

9. If the questions do not involve your expertise, tell the reporter that. For instance, there was an issue where 230 overlapped with trade policy, which I know little about. I answered 230 questions, but referred reporters to others for the trade stuff.

10. Always suggest others for the reporter to speak with. I make it a point of suggesting women and people of color, who are thought leaders in my field but woefully underrepresented in media coverage.

11. Enjoy it! Most of what we do lingers in academic journals and at conferences, and it's pretty cool to be able to talk about our subjects with the general public.