A journalist wants to speak to me. Now what?
You open your email or social media messages, and there it is. A journalist wants to speak to you about your ocean research!. It's an exciting moment. It can also be a slightly nerve-wracking one, particularly if you've never spoken to a journalist before.
The good news is that most journalists covering ocean science are genuinely interested in getting things right. They want to understand your work, represent it accurately, and produce a story that does it justice. Knowing what to expect – and how to prepare – makes the whole experience significantly less daunting.
Here's what you need to know.
Why is a journalist getting in touch?
There are three main reasons a journalist might contact you about your ocean science work.
You reached out to them. You shared a forthcoming paper, flagged a new project, or drew attention to something you felt deserved coverage. The journalist either needs more information before pitching the story to a publication, or a publication has already given the go-ahead, and they want to interview you for the piece.
They spotted your work. The journalist found your research through a press release, a journal alert, social media, or a tip from someone else, and wants to speak to you before pitching or writing the story.
They need your expertise. Sometimes a journalist working on a broader story needs an independent expert to comment, provide context, or verify something. This is common in ocean science, where topics like climate impacts, fisheries, and marine conservation require specialist knowledge that most journalists don't have themselves.
Knowing which of these applies to your situation helps you prepare for the conversation and understand what the journalist needs from you. The journalist will usually make it clear why they are getting in touch when they do.
Before the call – how to prepare
A media interview is not an exam, and a good journalist isn't trying to catch you out. But a little preparation goes a long way.
Know your key messages. Before the call, identify the two or three things you most want the journalist – and ultimately their readers – to take away from your work. These should be clear, specific, and jargon-free. If the conversation goes in an unexpected direction, these are the points you want to find your way back to.
Anticipate difficult questions. Think about the aspects of your research that are most likely to be challenged, misunderstood, or sensationalised. Prepare honest, clear answers. If there are things you genuinely don't know, or where the evidence is uncertain, think about how you'll communicate that without undermining the significance of what you do know.
Know your limits. It's fine to say "I don't know" or "that's outside my area of expertise." It's also fine to decline to comment on things you're not comfortable discussing, though it helps to be upfront about this at the start of the conversation rather than mid-interview.
Check who you're speaking to. With the rise of AI-generated content and low-quality online publishing, it's worth doing a quick check on the journalist and publication before agreeing to an interview. A legitimate journalist will have a byline history, a professional profile, and a publication you can verify. If something feels off, trust that instinct and ask questions before committing to the conversation.
What happens on the call?
Every journalist approaches interviews differently, but most aim for a natural conversation rather than a formal Q&A. Expect the call to last anywhere from 15 minutes – if you're providing brief expert comment – to 40 minutes if your work is central to the story.
Most journalists will record the call. This is standard practice, and it allows them to quote you accurately and go back to check details. Recordings are usually for the journalist's use only and are not published unless you're doing a podcast or video interview.
The questions you'll be asked depend on the story, but some tend to come up regularly:
Why does this matter, and who does it matter to?
What are the broader implications for ocean science, for marine life, for policy, for people?
Is there anything we haven't covered that we should discuss?
What else is happening in this area that's worth knowing about?
If you don't know the answer to something, say so. If you need a moment to think, take it. If a question is based on a misunderstanding, correct it clearly and move on. Journalists are used to sources who are cautious, careful, and precise.
What happens after the call?
Once the interview is done, the journalist writes the story and submits it to their editor. There may be back and forth with the editor. Not everything you say will necessarily appear in the final piece. Stories get revised, cut, or reframed for editorial reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of your contribution or the quality of the story written. During this process, the journalist may come back to you with follow-up questions or to clarify something.
In most cases, you will not see the story before it is published. This is standard journalistic practice. It’s not a slight on you or a sign that something has gone wrong, but a way of ensuring journalistic integrity.
Publication timelines vary enormously. Sometimes a story goes live within days of the interview. Sometimes it takes months – or doesn't run at all if something more pressing takes priority. If you haven't heard anything after a few weeks, it's fine to follow up with the journalist politely. Be aware that the journalist may not have any information to share, especially if they are freelance (not a journalist employed by one particular outlet). It’s not uncommon for freelance journalists not to be told when their stories are published!
When the story does go live, share it. Tag the journalist and the publication. Ocean science coverage benefits everyone in the field, and amplifying good journalism encourages more of it.
Speaking to journalists is a skill that gets easier with practice. If you'd like support preparing for media engagement or developing key messages for your ocean science work, get in touch.
