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Media Training

Mintra 23 questions

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Sooner or later a reporter calls about something that went wrong. How you handle that call shapes the story. This guide covers the ABC method, how to deal with unexpected questions, and the basic rights and risks of dealing with the press.

The ABC method

The ABC method has three elements: Acknowledge, Bridge, Communicate. It composes the answer in three parts: you start by answering the question, then bridge over to your own message on the issue.[1] It is used to deal with difficult questions on complicated matters while taking the opportunity to bring out your own message.

  • Acknowledge the question — it shows you understood it and indicates you will try to answer.
  • Bridge from the answer to the point you want to make.
  • Communicate clearly: decide your message and present your key takeaways plainly.

When a reporter calls

If a reporter calls and asks questions, note the name and telephone number of the reporter and call back later, after talking to management or colleagues. Before and during an interview, check your main messages and core values with information management or a colleague. Keep to the facts and be consistent.

Answering well

  • Choose terms and explanations so the reporter understands the overall picture and gets the impression that you and the company know how to manage the situation.
  • Use examples from your business — a good way to explain the issue to a journalist.
  • If you don't know the answer, be truthful: say you do not know, but that you can get back to them.
  • Don't fill space with many words that carry no content. That looks like you are avoiding the question and signals that the company does not know how to handle the issue. Instead, focus on the questions that are being worked on.
  • Correct, consistent information matters: correct facts avoid contributing to fake news, and consistency enhances trust.

Rights, risks and context

Freedom of the press is vital to democracy, but it has downsides: media outlets can publish almost anything, and the subjects of news stories have few legal rights to change a published story. Your legal options against newspapers, TV networks or radio shows include the right to have a correction published. Journalists, by their own account, see their role as exposing abuse of power. The end goal of "fake news" is to provide misleading information and present it as news — which is exactly why accurate, consistent statements from you matter.

Key facts to remember

  • ABC = Acknowledge, Bridge, Communicate — answer first, then bridge to your message.
  • Reporter calls: take their name and number, call back after speaking to management/colleagues.
  • Acknowledge the question and be clear about your key takeaways.
  • Don't know? Say so truthfully and offer to get back to them.
  • Use business examples; be correct and consistent (avoids fake news, builds trust).
  • Padding with empty words looks like avoiding the question; focus on what is being done.
  • You have a right to a correction; freedom of the press lets outlets publish almost anything.

Compiled from the sources above and cross-checked against the official documents. Published by the MaritimeTest editorial team.

First 5 of 23 questions — with answers

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  1. Question 1

    The ABC method to answer media questions is in use for which of the following reasons?
    • It is the first lesson in media training.
    • lt is a way to deal with difficult questions on complicated matters.
    • Avoid all complicated questions.
    • lt is a way to deal with difficult questions on complicated matters and take the opportunity to bring out your message on the issue discussed.

  2. Question 2

    What are your legal options against newspapers, television networks or radio shows?
    • I have little power to prosecute for an editorial where they have written negatively about me or my company.
    • | have the right to a correction published in a newspaper or on a radio station or TV program.
    • If a newspaper / radio station / TV station reports negatively about your business, contact an attorney to make sure to take the matter to court.

  3. Question 3

    If a reporter calls and asks questions, what measures should you take?
    • Note the name and telephone number of the reporter and call back later, after talking to the management or colleagues.
    • Do not answer any questions and tell the reporter to call someone else.
    • Give as much information you have on the questions posed by the reporter.

  4. Question 4

    What should you think about as part of the communication step of the ABC method?
    • How to clearly present your key takeaways.
    • How to deflect any questions about a problem.
    • What your message says about you personally.
    • What your message should be.

  5. Question 5

    What is important when choosing terms and explanations when talking to journalists?
    • Make the journalist know and understand the terms of the shipping business.
    • To make sure that the reporter understands the overall picture of the issue and to give the impression that you and your company know how to manage the situation.
    • Use words and explanations to make the journalist understand that you have the knowledge needed in the shipping business.

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