Guest Commentary: Governor shuns media traditions, filters; uses social media for message control – Insider Louisville
By Al Cross
Gov. Matt Bevins communications director said Wednesday evening that We dont really find a ton of value in general press conferences because the governor travels the state extensively and is interviewed by the newspapers that want to cover the great things that are happening. And she refused to answer a question about Bevins lack of response to news media he doesnt like.
Speaking on a panel arranged by the University of Kentucky public relations office, Amanda Stamper said social media allow the governors office to take our messages directly to the audiences we are trying to talk to, being able to break our own news, being able to control the message without having to go through the different filters that the media puts on things. Later, speaking of social media platforms such as Facebook Live, she said, There is a transparency about that.
Stamper said news stories about the governor that drive clicks on newspaper websites arent necessarily the things we think ought to be covered We dont necessarily worry about that. Later, she noted that the Kentucky Civic Health index shows that less than half of Kentuckians trust the news media, down 13 percent from the previous survey three years ago. She said the reach of Facebook videos can exceed the circulation of The Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader in two hours.
Jay Blanton, UKs executive director of public relations, said traditional media are still important but are now just one of many platforms for public relations professionals. He said UKs social media audience is 530,000.
When moderator Carl Nathe of UK PR announced that the hour was up and panelists could answer audience members questions one-on-one, and the panelists began to rise, I rose from my front-row seat, walked toward Carl and asked, Carl, how come no questions from the audience for the public? I mean, Ive got a question Id like to address to members of the panel. He said We can make an exception, and handed me the microphone. Heres what I said:
As some of you probably know I wrote a column recently which questioned the governors lack of press conferences and his apparent policy of not responding to media outlets that he does not favor. And I can understand, Amanda, your wish to have things covered that you want covered, but you and the governor are public employees, and the media outlets that youre not responding to have a significant circulation. I think Lisa [Deffendall of Fayette County Public Schools] at one point said you want to get your message out to people in the form that theyd like to receive [it]. There are a lot of people who read The Courier-Journal, the Herald-Leader, the Community Newspaper Holdings newspapers, who would like to hear a response from the governors office. And yet you wont even show those reporters the courtesy of responding to their inquiries. Why?
Stamper replied, So, we are here tonight to talk to the students and answer their questions, so I will, um, take the chance to not answer that question.
I replied, I find that completely offensive for a person in a public position.
I hope editors and reporters in all corners of the state will regard Stampers remarks about message control and supposed transparency as an insult to the intelligence of Kentuckians and the need for accountability in a representative democracy, and think about some accountability questions to ask the governor the next time he comes to your town.
About theAuthor:Al Cross, aformer CJ political writer, is director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues and associate professor in the University of KentuckySchool of Journalism and Media. His opinions are his own, not UKs.
Editors Note:Since early December 2016, Bevin spokespersons Amanda Stamper and Woody Maglinger have not responded to multiple voicemails and 37 emails from IL seeking information for stories.
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Guest Commentary: Governor shuns media traditions, filters; uses social media for message control - Insider Louisville