Working With the Media

Soaring Professionally or Sinking in Quicksand?

McGarrah, Nancy A.

¹Cliff Valley Psychologists, Atlanta, GA

Nancy A. McGarrah received her PhD in psychology from Emory University. She is the president of Cliff Valley Psychologists in Atlanta, GA. Her areas of professional interest include legal and ethical issues, child development, child abuse and other childhood trauma, and child custody.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nancy McGarrah, 2004 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. E-mail: [email protected]

Received September 23, 2008

Revision received January 26, 2009

Accepted February 6, 2009

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 40(2):p 172-176, April 2009. | DOI: 10.1037/a0015520

Psychologists are frequently asked to work with the media in responding to current events or educating the public about psychological issues. This can run the gamut, from an occasional interview with a reporter to a weekly gig as a radio call-in host. Many psychologists have little or no training in media psychology, but it is critical to obtain such training before entering the quicksand that working with the media can easily become. There are many ethical dilemmas inherent in media work, and this article enumerates many, including competence and confidentiality. Psychologists must educate themselves about the topic being discussed, often with a “heads-up” from the reporter in advance. Reporters will often ask for clients to be provided as examples to add depth to the story. The confidentiality and welfare of the client must be considered. It is important to think clearly about many ethical issues to make working with the media a positive professional experience and an important public service.