Rude or not? Journalist records you without permission

[Clinton1]

Situation:
I'm paid from the Public Purse.
I'm doing my job.
Jounalist walks over and sticks a microphone under my nose.... says nothing.
I shut up, they go away.
I start talking with my mates, journalist comes back over and sticks the microphone under my nose again, again the journalist says nothing.
Situation repeats about 5 times over the next 30 minutes.

Just because I'm a uniformed member of the Australian public, is my work life and my personal conversations open to being recorded?

If I say "excuse me, but you are being rude, could you go away".... I'm suddenly in a conversation with a journalist, and it is recorded, and I have no control over the way it is used.

Annoying.
So what do you think .... if you were in the same situation at your work?

[Sturdee]

What you did is the best thing to do, although it takes a lot of self restraint.


Peter.

[Groggy]

Find out who he works for.
Get a good photo of him.

Tell him if he records in that manner without your permission you will inform his paper and your chain of command of what he is doing.

You will also post his photo in all public places and email it to everyone on site with a description to be wary of him and describing what is is doing. That will just about finish him. I'd be tempted to let you CO know anyway - he will definitely be interested in someone bothering his troops.

He should get the message but be careful, he may take it out on you in other ways.

Edit: of course, do not do it on film or when being recorded. Journos usually carry a voice operated recorder as well so be doubly careful. Maybe pay a local to run a typed note to him.

[watson]

G'day Clinton,
what Groggy said is the go.
They'll just wait for you to react..and that's what we'll see at home.
Be cool........now you'll have to use the third eye to watch for Journos as well

Keep Well

[echnidna]

I wouldn't be as diplomatic as Groggy.
I'd tellem to sorf.

[ozwinner]

Clinton, just start by looking into the camera and saying "Hi Mum" really enthusiastically, and every time they come back do the same, they will soon get sick of the Forrest Gump in you....

Al

[Harry72]

Yep I reckon Oz has the answer or start talking about a totally different subject... woodwork maybe

[Toolin Around]

I curious to know why the smut peddler (at one time they were journalists - not anymore) was trying to provoke you.

[Barry Hicks]

Like you Clint (if I can call you that) I wore a uniform and was paid out of the public purse for 32 years and I don't trust journos unless I knew them as they are well versed in the art of quoting out of context etc etc.
The only ones I trusted were the regional ABC radio guys and they always checked if you wanted to be quoted.

[Clinton1]

why the smut peddler was trying to provoke you?

So they can assit the marketing staff sell the ad space for more $ by getting a sensational story that improves ratings and get themselves a bonus.

Really.... the "Hi, I'm a journalist and I need complete and unfettered access to everything as I am a defender of society" line is getting rather thin.

It wasn't the first time that day, I'd been hit on by 4 other journalists.... the presidential campaign has been honey to the flies.

Barry - Clint is cool.

The knight in shining armour on the white steed concept that journalism sells itself with has been replaced with Don Quixote on a mule, harnessed to the wagon of commerce.

Tossers.

On the up side, I met this person
Fantastic.

[journeyman Mick]

Clinton,
I admire your non-reaction. I would have been sorely tempted to tell them to bugger off or worse. I really believe that this or taking Groggy's course of action would just play into their hands, I can see the article now:

"Veiled threats made by defence force personel against our reporter in Timor."

I'd recommend reporting it to whomever you report to and trying to ignore it. I've known a few people who were briefly in the media spotlight in the worst possible way and the less you give them the less they can do with it. I don't know what you're doing over there in particular, and you probably can't say, and that's fine, but maybe you could invoke some sort of WH&S stuff to keep them at a distance. Get the commanding officer (or media relations officer, whatever) to explain that it's a workplace and for the safety of the troops and all involved, journalists will need to keep clear of troops whilst they are on duty. Of course they'll have to give the journos something, somebody who's practiced at guarded public speaking to interview and no doubt a few media briefings.

If they want to write a bad story they still can with this, but it's not nearly as much for them to go on as requests to back off etc. Good luck over there.

Of course if it's a camera crew, Al's approach will be much quicker and easier.

Mick

[Clinton1]

She, the rude one, was from the ABC.

Thats two instances of complete stupidity from the ABC in 4 weeks, the other one was Eric Campbell with this story

He was completely used, so much so that most of the Aussie expats over here, along with a heap of journalists from other countries, sent a letter of complaint to the ABC, pointing out the complete lack of credibility of the show.

I really don't want to use Al's suggestion...makes me look like a fool, although it would be effective.

[Christopha]

Gently but firmly remove the mike from his/her grasp (should be easy due to the slimy grip!), sing the National Anthem and them say loudly "Gentlemen start your engines"

[joe greiner]

Do you know any foreign languages? Or better yet, several? Mixed together? Best of all would be pure doubletalk, ala Sid Caesar. For inspiration, see http://www.cooperativeindividualism....ntific-law.gif

Thanks, Cliff (Cliff Rogers).

Joe

[ozwinner]

Clinton start telling them about the local trees and how good a timber they are and you can do with them. Politely.

Al