The press can be a great asset, IF you handle things correctly
Show us someone who’s been in politics for over three decades and we’ll show you a master of 
dealing with the press. Hubert Humphrey started his political career in 1943 when he ran for mayor of Minneapolis, and the continued on to include nearly 25 years in the Senate, four years as Vice President under President Lydon B. Johnson, and a narrowly missed run at the presidency itself, giving him plenty of experience with which to back this Crisis Management Quotable:
“It is always a risk to speak to the press: they are likely to report what you say.” – Hubert H. Humphrey
It sounds pretty funny, but you’d be amazed at how many people come to us complaining that a reporter printed comments they made before they thought the interview had started, things they had said but then asked the reporter not to print, or quotes they delivered in conversation to another person altogether.
Bottom line is that anything you say to, or in earshot of, a member of the media is fair game to be published. “Off the record” even has a variety of definitions these days, and a growing number of reporters aren’t shy about stretching or breaking its definition altogether, making it best to simply not say anything you don’t want to appear in tomorrow’s headlines.
What about those cases where you desperately want to get your side of the story out, but can’t fathom risking the loss of control that often accompanies a live interview? Try telling the reporter that you’d love to give them some of your time, but that you’re only able to grant interviews via email at this time. That way you have time to stop, and above all THINK, about what you’re saying, ensuring you come off as intended.
Erik Bernstein
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com