That can t happen if we don t talk to the reporter. It sounds like you re hiding something. Make sure the reporter understands why you cannot answer the question. Refer the reporter to a designated executive. The news media have a legal right to observe, to photograph and to record any event or any person in a public place.
Some organizations have a policy that says only the boss can talk to reporters.
That means stories will be written without the organization s point of view when the boss can t be reached. If only the boss is allowed to speak, reporters get the idea the boss doesn t trust the staff. They re either too dumb to speak for the company or have been muzzled because there s something to hide. There may be a need to designate specific spokespeople for special kinds of situations. In a police department, for instance, the lead investigator working a homicide may be the only proper source for the media on that case.