No questions please!

Author name

Shouting reporters push back at Pearson plane presser

If you caught the end of last Monday night’s news conference at Pearson Airport following the Delta plane crash, you might have caught the shouting reporters at the end of it. After officials wrapped their statements and told reporters when and where to expect updates, they politely thanked the media and left the microphone – without taking questions. Reporters were not happy and let it be known! Officials not taking questions became a short, fleeting storyline for some news outlets.


I have no idea whether no questions was a deliberate decision or strategy in this case, and questions were taken at other airport news conferences, but I’m of two minds on what I saw at Monday night’s presser:


As someone who spent two decades in news, I understand the reporters’ frustration. This is a major story and there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Q&A’s at news conferences are common, traditionally expected, and are about openness and accountability. There’s often not a lot that an official can say in the early stages of such a major incident, but they’re usually trained in how to respond to questions they can’t answer while avoiding speculation.


On the other hand, the media world has changed, and communications experts know that. Engaging in a Q&A adds an element of risk that most organizations would prefer to avoid. Organizations know they can distribute a controlled message directly to audiences through different platforms, and most traditional news organizations will also still pick up those messages word-for-word. While the reporters in the room were not happy, the general public is likely not putting much thought into the issue of reporters not getting to ask their questions.


🔵 The takeaway: So, should you take questions or not in a presser where you worry about risk and speculation? Mitigating risk is always a goal, and just because something’s traditionally been done a certain way — like taking questions — doesn’t mean it needs to continue. But, when doing media training, I encourage clients to always take the high road and consider the long-term relationship with journalists. Avoiding questions isn’t going to help. As the media landscape further fragments and the relative importance of old vs new media shifts, organizations need to ask themselves how much those relationships still matter, especially when they’ve got other options for getting their message out.


All that said, journalists also need to realise they’re just one way for organizations to get their message out (unlike 15-20 years ago), and they too need to think about relationships with the people they cover. Shouting at them likely isn’t all that helpful.

Three red flags you're not ready for that news interview or big presentation

By Michael Melling • July 6, 2026
Common issues ahead of important communication opportunities:  1. You don’t have a clear key message If someone asks you: “What’s the one thing you want listeners to remember?” and you can’t answer in 15-30 seconds, you’re not ready. 2. You’ve memorized talking points, but can’t explain them naturally If you’re focused on memorizing scripts and key phrases, you’re more likely to struggle if you forget or get taken off track. You need the confidence to trust yourself in the conversation. 3. You don’t have a strategy for responding to tough questions If you’re planning to wing it, that’s a problem. You need to anticipate the tough questions and practice bridging to your key message – naturally and authentically. Strategy and structure are key building blocks of confidence going into any important communication opportunity. You must know the point you want to get across, know how to keep on track, and have the confidence to respond authentically in the moment.
Preparing for an interview | Michael Melling

Three often overlooked steps in preparing for a media interview

By Michael Melling • June 29, 2026
Preparing for an interview | Michael Melling

Three signs it's time to bring in an outside media & key message trainer

By Michael Melling • June 22, 2026
Signs you should be investing in training and coaching before there’s a problem:  1. Your leaders are becoming more visible If leaders are starting to do more interviews, podcasts, team town halls, or conference appearances, the stakes increase. A media trainer can help them communicate clearly, stay on message, and handle difficult questions effectively. 2. You're entering a high-stakes moment Product launches, mergers, major announcements, regulatory scrutiny, crises, layoffs, or rapid growth often attract media and internal attention. It's easier to prepare before the spotlight arrives than to learn under pressure. 3. Interviews and communication opportunities aren't producing the results you want If leaders ramble, get quoted out of context, struggle with tough questions, or fail to communicate key messages, outside coaching can identify blind spots and support leaders in becoming better communicators. In hiring a media and key message trainer, many organizations wait until there's a problem. The strongest communicators often receive training before they need it, so they're prepared when a major opportunity—or challenge—appears. Communication training is leadership training.