OK folks, lets calm this thread down a little. Over several years recently, before I retired, I had the pleasure of working closely with a press liaison officer. He was in uniform, but had extensive media training and had a huge network of journo colleagues. We spent many hours discussing the press, their work, attitudes, methods and so on - I gained an invaluable insight into the media world.
So much so that I changed my hostile anti-press views. It is true that as a Serviceman we are forbidden to talk to the press, but we had to transfer any calls to the PLO. Too bad if he wasn't in his office - it left the journo without any info and little prospect of getting the job done (deadlines spring to mind). Rather, this PLO was magnificently politically incorrect and used to advise the Stn Exec cadre to talk directly to the press if the situation warranted it - eg if it was desirable to get the press informed quickly, with something very good happening on Base, or where comment was needed fast as in the case of an ac crash.
He also taught me that it was a good idea to make available to the press as many facilities as could be reasonably allowed in a very controlled manner. For example, if an aircraft crashed, a pre-arranged plan swung into action including arranging buses, food, telephones, escorts, a briefing programme to be given by a knowledgeable Stn Exec, a press release schedule set up, and so on. A press enquiry desk was also set up and fully manned by someone who could give informed comment or information. This desk was kept fully informed of developments in detail by the disaster controller as a high priority.
Rather we worked WITH the press rather than against them, to get and keep them on-side. I didn't get to meet many journos, but those I did meet I found to be courteous, interested and sympathetic. By the time I finished, I found that they were a very professional bunch, with integrity, where 'off the record' was treated as just that - I cringed at times to hear what they were being told 'off the record'.
So appreciating both sides of the arguement, can we please lift this important thread out of the slanging phase, all shake hands and say a mutual sorry and work to find out who this little s*** is and dump him in the kakhi-p**h with his editor/paper owner.