Reporters refusing to divulge their purpose in seeking your comments may harm you more than help you. Examine the reporter's prior coverage of similar issues. Strengthen your relationship with sympathetic reporters by giving them exclusive. Discuss and strategize about your responses to the media. Establish the message you want conveyed at the outset, and stick to it.
Different people have different comments on one issue.
Media may pick a different message than one you intended if too many people talk to the media. Also, the longer you talk, the more the chances for the media to edit out stuff and put their own spin on it. When confronting with an unfair media story, consider writing a letter to the editor. Quote facts from other stories published by the same media that conflict with claims of the new unfair story. A good deal of media relations work is spent in attempting to gain favorable coverage for the cause.