Lessons from Uber – Rules for Engaging the Press

Last month it was revealed that Uber had been engaging in some less than popular activities, allegedly stalking and prying into the private lives of some members of the media.

Everything is on the record. In this day and age, stating something is “off the record” to a reporter is not going to work. In our modern court of public opinion everything you say and do can, and just might, be used against you.

Attempting to “control” the media will most likely backfire. Making threats and demands is not going to get you very far. If your story is genuine, let it come out that way. If it isn’t then you have bigger problems.

Remember the media is your gateway to public opinion. How they perceive you is how they’re going to communicate your message to the world.

Be a little paranoid in the presence of media. If there’s a camera in the room keep a smile on your face and your fingers out of your nose. When in the presence of journalist, assume that every word you say is being recorded.

If you mess up, fix it and be sure to fix it enough. No one has lost their job over the Uber debacle and the company is certainly entitled to proceed how they feel best, but right now, as a New York Times pointed out today, it continues to hurt them in the press