Oct. 16, 2001
GW Professors Make the Media Rounds
Journalists Turn to University Experts for Comments
on Terrorism, Aviation, Politics, Economics, and Other Issues
By Greg
Licamele
CNN calls GW looking for experts. The Associated Press needs a quick
quote. The New York Times wants an academic, non-partisan angle. CNBC
needs analysis on the latest Federal Reserve ruling.
These outlets and hundreds more across the country and around the globe
look for GW professors to offer insights on topics ranging from terrorism
to aviation, the economy, and politics.
In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States,
GW voices have been heard loud and clear. Jerrold Post, professor of
political psychiatry and international affairs, has logged as many as
300 interviews in print and on the air. 60 Minutes, C-SPAN,
The Washington Post, all of the major networks, and many others have
tapped into his expertise of who terrorists are and their possible motives.
Darryl Jenkins, director of GWs Aviation Institute, says hes
been interviewed at least 250 times since Sept. 11 about the aviation
industry. Jenkins started as a pundit in the 1980s and over time he
has become one of the most called-on experts about aviation.
Its really fun for a farm boy from Michigan who, when things
happen, gets to be involved and give analysis, Jenkins says, noting
however that the pain and suffering from the attacks has diluted his
enthusiasm a bit.
Jenkins and his colleagues have the shows they prefer to be on, as well
as shows they sometimes find overbearing.
A lot of these places get kooks on who will say anything,
Jenkins says. I just sit back and let them be because its
not enjoyable.
Susan Phillips, dean of the School of Business and Public Management,
shares the sentiment about programs that sometimes require arguing.
I dont particularly like to see people interrupting each
other or rudeness just for the sake of going back and forth, Phillips
says. I dont appreciate that when Im watching, so
I try not to engage in it myself.
Phillips, a former governor of the Federal Reserve System for seven
years, regularly appears in print and on TV and radio commenting on
the latest Fed actions. She prepares for interviews by staying current
with all of the relevant economic data, reading speeches of the Federal
Reserve governors, and following the testimony of Alan Greenspan.
I try to have at least two or three things quick on my mind that
I should comment on, explains Phillips, who prefers interviews
with financial news services because they ask better questions.
In September, Phillips appeared on CNBCs Squawk Box,
CNNs Lou Dobbs Moneyline, and The Newshour with
Jim Lehrer on PBS.
Matthew Nehmer, a GW media relations specialist, says his office has
been successful in combing the headlines and then producing media tipsheets,
which are faxed to the major newspapers, networks, and local outlets.
People in the media do talk to each other and pass along sources
and it snowballs, Nehmer describes. GW has a good following
with the media and they know who to call.
Jenkins cites the Universitys location and prominence in Washington
as one of the primary reasons he and his colleagues are called upon.
If I were anywhere else, Id be a loudmouth, Jenkins
quips. Here, Im a loudmouth with an audience.
He says pundits can influence the policy process. But, Jenkins sometimes
is uncertain about how his thoughts will be used.
With all media there are risks, Jenkins explains. Interviews
are taped, but you dont know how they will slice and dice you,
citing a three-hour session with 60 Minutes that was contentious
at times, but the clips used turned out fair.
As opposed to taped broadcasts or print interviews, live shows provide
little wiggle room for long discussions.
Chris Guarino, executive producer of CNNs Crossfire,
says the key to maximizing his 23 minutes of airtime rests with the
hosts to pace the program and the guests to provide crisp answers.
We are a debate show, so we are looking for people who are articulate
and passionate on a position, Guarino says. Sometimes, guests
may be too entrenched in facts and figures.
Peter Fenn, an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Political
Management, appears often on the cable networks to discuss politics.
He also has been a guest host on Crossfire and MSNBCs
Equal Time.
As a guest, I prepare by deciding what two or three main points
I want to get across and what questions are likely to be asked,
Fenn says. I also anticipate the comments of other guests and
develop counter arguments.
Phillips agrees that responding to an argument is a key to success on
a
TV talk show, but it also can be frustrating.
It depends on how well you can counter their comments, Phillips
says. Sometimes you get cut-off because there are too many people
on the panel and you dont get enough time to get your voice out.
Fenn says hosting a show requires a great deal more work, including
thinking through the time available, the hot topics, and the myriad
of directions the show can turn. He says hosts also have to give thought
to video and sound bites that may be relevant.
The media exposure professors receive puts GW in the spotlight and allows
the country and world to know what the University faculty members are
researching.
It would be an interesting study to see all of the professors
at all of the universities and how GW would rank, Nehmer says.
I think we would rank in the top 10 as far as raw numbers of interviews.
Phillips aims to help GWs stature when she puts on her pundit
hat.
To the extent that we can give visibility to George Washington,
thats a good thing, she says. Students and faculty
seem to like it, too.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu