Here are a few simple guidelines we should ALL follow:
- If you are uncomfortable in your knowledge or don't want to speak, you don't have to. A polite "no thank you" suffices. Avoid abuse, or "no comment" cliches - don't give the media the chance to portray us and our hobby even more poorly than currently.
- When speaking STICK TO THE FACTS. Do not be led by reporters asking "what do you think happened at Shoreham?". If this question comes up, simply reply "an aircraft tragically crashed, people were killed, an investigation will find out why". AVOID ANY SPECULATION. Remember, anything asking for an opinion is speculative.
- Be mindful of what you are wearing as this has an impact on the relevance of what you say and the perception of the enthusiast community as a whole. If it is TV and you aren’t dressed smartly then don’t appear. Don't let the media portray us as scruffy geeks taking part in a dangerous activity.
- Ask who the reporter is representing. Given how some outlets have behaved (Sun, Sky, Mail especially), you may wish to avoid journalists from these organisations.
- Defend our hobby. The enthusiast community are a big part of the front line.
Lets all show our respect to those that have fallen and their families by not fuelling the media speculation frenzy.
The UKAR Staff Team