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 GW’s Aviation Institute, says he’s 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.

“It’s 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 it’s not enjoyable.”

Susan Phillips, dean of the School of Business and Public Management, shares the sentiment about programs that sometimes require arguing.

“I don’t particularly like to see people interrupting each other or rudeness just for the sake of going back and forth,” Phillips says. “I don’t appreciate that when I’m 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 CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” CNN’s “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 University’s location and prominence in Washington as one of the primary reasons he and his colleagues are called upon.

“If I were anywhere else, I’d be a loudmouth,” Jenkins quips. “Here, I’m 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 don’t 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 CNN’s “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 MSNBC’s “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 don’t 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 GW’s stature when she puts on her pundit hat.

“To the extent that we can give visibility to George Washington, that’s a good thing,” she says. “Students and faculty seem to like it, too.”

 

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu