By Tim Richardson
Not everyone
needs to be media trained. After all, not everyone is going to be speaking with
the media. But everyone – wherever you work should be media aware. And one of
the key things is knowing when to keep schtum.
I am no
longer amazed about people reveal without knowing who could be listening. Last
year, I spent an hour-long train journey hearing about all the work gossip from
a group of healthcare workers. Spicy stuff.
Then there
was the guy dissing a work colleague while in a packed lift. And don’t forget the office receptionist and
work colleague dishing the dirt on job losses while I waited patiently for my
appointment.
People may
feel they can say what they like in the security of their own building, but it
simply isn’t true. And if you’re not safe in your own office, then how safe are
you in public such as a pub or train?
So think
about it next time you’re discussing potentially sensitive information. It’s
not just journalists you need to be aware of. People Tweet stuff and use
different social media all the time. If you say something you shouldn’t have,
it could be online in seconds.
Kinda scary,
huh?
