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I can't speak for everyone obviously, but this fighting over questions has always confused me. #Thread 1/n https://www.thedailybeast.com/white-house-reporters-say-biden-team-asked-them-for-questions-in-advance?source=twitter&via=desktop
The biggest reason PIOs might do this is because there are a million things with a billion details going on in any given moment. Knowing what information to pull ahead of time saves everyone time and helps get reporters the info they're after. 2/n
In fact, the higher up in the org you get, the less likely it is that the Senior executive you're speaking to is going to have figures, stats, details, nuances, etc... memorized. So, a quick heads up ensures they're prepared instead of deferring to a PIO/PAO for follow up. 3/n
That's mentioned at the tail end of the article but that's not the only reason for this practice. For instance, I've had people call as ask to speak to X exec on Y topic. But, what if I told you the best person to talk to isn't always the one highest on the food chain? 4/n
Despite people's skepticism, the vast majority of PIOs want you to get the info you're asking for and the best way to do that is to link you up with the most knowledgeable person. That could be an engineer, a mid-level manager, or any number of non-executives. 5/n
The thing is, if I don't know what you're asking then I can't get you connected to the right person. Years ago, I was asked to arrange an interview with a Sr. Exec. The reporter only wanted to give me the general topic. 6/n
It took two weeks to find 30 mins on the calendar and when we did, it was a total waste of time as the questions centered around numerous technical aspects the Exec. didn't know off the top of their head. You know who did know that stuff? 7/n
A mid-level project manager in one of the departments. Both the reporter and the Exec. were irritated and it took another week for the reporter to get their story. Not all the answers are in the C-Suite. 8/n
Now, I've heard from some reporters in the past that they don't want to be "boxed in" by the questions they provide and want to be able to ask followups or go in different directions. 9/n
My answer is: that's fine. Most PIOs were trained to some extent in journalism. We get the way interviews work. We know things might come up that you weren't expecting. So unless there were explicit agreements not to discuss certain things, you're free to follow that path. 10/n
Now, please understand, I've only ever been on the government side. I can't speak to how the commercial or private sector might work but in my world, knowing bad news is coming doesn't change our operations. 11/n
FOIAs, PIRs, and other sunshine laws mean I'm going to have to get you answers. I mean, I guess folks are less likely to go on camera, but the Corporate Duck and Cover isn't a luxury we enjoy, so revealing what you're working on a few hours early ain't gonna change much. 12/n
In fact, for me personally, I appreciate the 4th Estate role the media play. There are plenty of reporters out there that can attest to this...I want you to tell me when you've uncovered something wrong because we can't fix what we don't know is broken. 13/n
I'd rather rip off the bandaid, go through the negative news cycle, and get the issue corrected than have something wrong out there in its wrongness. But that's beside the point. 14/n
I'm not naive enough to think some PIOs aren't out there trying to game reporters or undermine accountability but I can say, it's not something you'll find me doing. I simply don't believe that's my job - and luckily either do my bosses. 15/n
My motives have always been in the best interest of helping get the information out to the community - media or otherwise - and that starts with questions...and knowing them in enough time to get a good answer benefits us all. 16/16
