Press Gone Wild: The Business Owner's Guide to Fixing Misreported Stories

You know that feeling when you've just finished an interview, nailed every talking point, and you're sitting there refreshing your browser like you're waiting for concert tickets to drop? Yeah, that's the PR professional's version of Christmas morning. Until it's not.

There you are, hitting refresh with the enthusiasm of someone who's had way too much caffeine, when finally—the story appears! And then comes that gut-punch moment: "Wait, what? That's not even remotely close to what I said!"

Welcome to the special circle of hell reserved for PR professionals dealing with misreported stories. It's like ordering a gin and tonic and getting handed a fish milkshake. Not great.

THE ART OF NOT LOSING YOUR MIND

Your first instinct might be to declare war. I get it. Nothing says "Tuesday" like wanting to launch a tactical strike against someone who's completely butchered your carefully crafted message. But here's the thing—publicly attacking a reporter is like using a flamethrower to light a birthday candle. Impressive? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely not.

The old saying about not picking fights with people who buy ink by the barrel still stands, even if that "ink" is now digital. Trust me, I've learned this lesson the hard way (hypothetically speaking, of course).

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: IS THIS HILL WORTH DYING ON?

Before you do anything rash—like sending that strongly worded email you drafted at 2 AM—ask yourself: "Will anyone actually care about this error besides me and my increasingly concerned therapist?"

Sometimes, the best crisis management strategy is to just let it go. Correcting a minor mistake can be like putting a spotlight on something nobody noticed in the first place. It's the PR equivalent of saying "don't look at my weird haircut," which, naturally, makes everyone immediately focus on your weird haircut.

But if the error is significant, if it makes your company sound like it's run by raccoons in trench coats or misrepresents a core business function, then yeah, you need to act.

YOUR OPTIONS FOR SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT (WITHOUT SETTING BRIDGES ON FIRE)

When a reporter gets something fundamentally wrong, you've got several ways to handle it. Think of these as your PR emergency toolkit, just with fewer flashing lights and more strategic thinking.

DIRECT CONTACT: THE ADULT APPROACH

Despite what the internet might suggest, calling out a reporter on social media is about as productive as trying to reason with a toddler who's missed naptime. Instead, try this revolutionary approach: talk to them directly.

A polite phone call or email to the reporter works wonders. Keep it professional, like you're explaining to your neighbor why their dog shouldn't use your lawn as a personal bathroom.

"Hey there, I noticed some factual errors in your story. Let's see what we can do about setting the record straight." Simple, direct, and doesn't include any of the colorful language you were tempted to use.

Just remember, a correction isn't a do-over. Publications won't run a new front-page story announcing "We Messed Up!" The correction will typically be a small note, probably somewhere between the classified ads and that weird syndicated comic nobody understands. But hey, it's on the record.

If the reporter ignores you (shocking, I know) or refuses to issue a correction, it's time to escalate to their editor. Use the same professional approach. No need to mention how the reporter wouldn't recognize a fact if it introduced itself with a business card and firm handshake.

WHEN YOU NEED MORE THAN A FOOTNOTE CORRECTION

Sometimes, a quick correction just doesn't cut it. This is when a letter to the editor or an op-ed comes into play.

This approach works best when authored by someone important—like your CEO or another executive—not by someone from the communications team (sorry, communications team, you're still very important to me).

The tone should be professional and factual. Save the creative insults for your fantasy novel. Focus on correcting the record with facts, not on how the reporter clearly didn't understand basic English.

Always refer to the media outlet by name, not the individual. "The Daily Chronicle reported incorrectly..." sounds much better than "Bob, who apparently took notes with crayons..."

A well-crafted letter can set the record straight without burning bridges. Remember, the goal isn't to win an argument but to clarify the truth. You're not trying to litigate in the media. You're just setting the facts straight with the determination of someone explaining why pineapple absolutely does NOT belong on pizza.

THE NUCLEAR OPTION: YOUR OWN CHANNELS

If all else fails, if the reporter and editor are both mysteriously unavailable or your letter keeps getting "lost in the mail," you might need to issue a statement through your own channels.

This should be your last resort, like using the fire extinguisher you've kept under your sink for five years. Keep it professional and avoid directly calling out the reporter.

Instead, say something like, "To clarify a story that ran recently in the Associated Press..." then clearly explain your position. Link to the original story so people can see both sides, like the fair and balanced professional you are.

THE LONG GAME: MAINTAINING MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS

A good working relationship with the press is like having a friend who knows all your secrets but still likes you anyway—valuable and slightly terrifying.

Handling mistakes with grace builds trust. Most importantly, it increases the chances that a reporter will be fair with you in the future, or at least remember you as "that reasonable PR person" instead of "the one who sent the glitter bomb."

Remember, in business, today's correction could be tomorrow's exclusive feature about your latest product launch. But why handle these media headaches alone?  We’ve seen it all and fixed it all (usually without having to send a strongly worded letter written at 3 AM). Get in touch today and let us handle your company's media relationships while you focus on the part you actually enjoy—running your business.