Today an investigative journalist told me about how he makes sure his story is right and appropriate. He has a Virgil.
I imagine Virgil is a person he depends on in any organization or community to bounce ideas off of, check facts, check perspective and gain insight. Think of Virgil as a fixer, a mentor or maybe a friend.
In this particular case, he was writing about immigration issues related to Syria – he’s American. He needed to understand how to interview a lady related to Syria, who to interview, what agencies he should contact and where to look for leads. Virgil helped him with all of this because Virgil was a member of the community he was focusing on.
As a public affairs dude, I’m pleased to serve as a military Virgil for journalists everywhere.
Journalists ask me for my thoughts on military issues they are writing about even if it’s not immediately related to my organization.
Journalists ask me where I think they could start on a particular story. They ask me for official and unofficial contacts. They bounce narratives and perspective off of me.
I review chapters of books, unofficial and provide thoughts on how the book can be more authentic, proper or respectful.
I am Virgil as a service to our military and to our media. You can be a Virgil too.
Why be a Virgil? You build deep relationships by being Virgil. You get to know journalists and they get to know you. You get a heads up. You get to shape the story better than anyone else. Being a Virgil is kind of our job.
To be a Virgil, start first with the idea that all journalists want to do right; they want to be factually right and they want to tell their story holistically.
Second, be trustworthy. Journalists need to trust you not to blow the lid off their story, share the concept with another media agency or screw them in some other way. They know I’m a bias representative of the military so they know I will provide opinion favorable to the military. Out of professional obligation, I will also give my PA colleagues a heads up on a story too; I will do this after having a conversation with the journalist.
Third, shoot straight. I don’t try to deceive anyone, lie or bamboozle. I shoot people straight.
Now go and do likewise.
Photo by Seaman Jonathan Berlier
