These days most people get their information from the media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the Internet. Talking to the media can be a great way to inform the public about the issues, concerns, and day-to-day realities of living with HIV , but it can also be scary. If you are asked to talk to the media, you may worry about the following:

• Will the reporter quote me correctly?
• Will I sound unsure of what I'm talking about?
• Will the interview reveal more about me than I want the public to know?

These are all normal fears, but by following a few simple guidelines, you can approach an interview with confidence, preparation, and some control.

• Always know who you are talking to: ask for the reporter's full name and the news organization he or she works for (newspaper, TV station, etc.).
• Ask what the reporter is writing about and why. "I'm writing a story about AIDS" is not enough. Ask for more information about the specific issue or angle of the article, what information the reporter already has, and why he or she particularly wants to talk to you.
• Confidentiality may be very important to you. Tell the reporter exactly how you want to be identified in the story and make sure he or she agrees to use only that name. You can use your first name only, initials, or a pseudonym (a false name the reporter will use to refer to you while telling the public it is not your real identity). Feel free to use your full name if you are comfortable doing so, but don’t feel you have to.
• If the reporter isn’t on a tight deadline and doesn’t need to speak to you immediately, set up an exact time and place to conduct the interview. You do not have to allow the reporter into your home or workplace. Many times the interview will be done over the phone. If that is the case, make sure you're interviewed at a time and location where you won't be distracted by other calls, noise, or people listening in, and where you can be sure to have a good connection (preferably not on a cell phone).

• Do a little homework. Find out what kind of stories the newspaper or station usually runs about AIDS. Look for stories done by your reporter to get an idea of his or her interests, the kinds of questions that might be asked, etc.
• If possible, have some background material you can refer to while being interviewed. For instance, if you're going to be speaking about medical issues, you may want to have a fact sheet on hand so that you and the reporter will understand any technical terms.
• If the reporter is on a tight deadline and wants to talk to you immediately, don't feel pressured. Find out who the reporter is and what he or she wants to talk about. Ask if the reporter can call back when you are free to talk without distractions, even if it’s only a short time later. This will also give you a little time to prepare.

• Stay calm. Remember that you are in control of where the interview goes.
• Don't fall into the trap of chatting casually with a reporter. You may feel you are simply speaking as one person to another, but remember the reporter is doing a job and anything you say can be used in the story. Even if a reporter asks you something "off the record" (meaning your answer is not going to be directly used in the story), you may say something that will change the tone or meaning of the interview.
• If you’re with an organization that’s holding a public event, such as a rally or press conference, and a reporter asks you for a quote, direct her or him to your group’s official media spokesperson.

• Listen carefully to the question. If you don't fully understand it, ask the reporter to repeat it or ask it again in different words. You can also ask for a few moments to think about your answer. You don't have to have a quick response for every question.
• Stick to the topic at hand. Only give the reporter as much information as needed to answer the questions. Try not to ramble and fill your answer with a lot of extra material.
• Stick to the point you want to make. Even if a reporter asks a follow-up question that seems to disagree with what you said, restate your response in different words. Stick to what you believe and what you mean.
• Speak slowly and as clearly as you can so the reporter can get your exact words down. Use short, simple sentences because reporters often edit remarks down to brief quotes.
• Finish your point. If the reporter tries to interrupt you, simply tell him or her politely that you want to finish your statement.
• You do not have to answer every question a reporter asks you. If you're unsure or uneasy about a question, ask why it’s being asked and what it has to do with the story. Be polite, don't treat the reporter as your enemy or say you think he or she is trying to trick you. If you still don't want to answer a question, avoid saying "no comment." This sounds very negative. You can say instead, "I'm not sure I can answer that" or, in the case of very technical information, "I'm not qualified to answer that." Direct the reporter to someone you think can provide the information.
• Don't let the reporter put words in your mouth. Help the reporter understand what you mean, but if he or she restates your answer differently, feel free to repeat or restate what you said in your own words.
• Remember to protect your confidentiality and the confidentiality of others. If you have told the reporter you want to be identified by first name only or a pseudonym, don't give out a lot of information that may help to identify you. For instance, don't reveal specifics of where you work and what you do. Also, don't reveal information about others by saying something like, "I first went to a support group with my friend Jane Johnson, who is also a woman with HIV."

No one can guarantee that you will always be accurately quoted in the media, but following the rules listed above will help make sure you are. After the interview, ask when the story will appear. Read or watch it, and if you feel it was unfair, contact an editor at the publication or station.