Quick Guide – when the journalist calls

1. Before the interview

Make sure that you’re the right person to give the interview. If not, please refer to a colleague.

You don’t need to answer right away, but can ask to get back to the journalist later.
Think about what you want to say. You may want to discuss the topic with a colleague, your manager or your department’s communications officer.
It may be a good idea to formulate two to three main points that you would like to make.

Before the interview starts, ensure that you’ll be given the chance to approve what the journalist quotes you as saying.

Where do you have your knowledge from? Are you representing yourself, the department, DTU or others?

Stick to the point, and be brief and clear.
For example, formulate a few key points you want to highlight. Speak as you would to friends or relatives. Only use technical terms if they can’t be replaced by everyday words, and explain them if necessary.
Make it clear that you are making a statement based on your knowledge within a field, and that any assessments and opinions you are voicing are based on this knowledge.
Repeat your main messages to be sure that the journalist understands what’s at issue.

Agree on when and how you will get the quotes for approval. Will they be sent to you by email or read aloud over the phone?
Offer to check the article for any factual errors and misquotes, but don’t expect to be able to change the journalist’s angle.
Reply as soon as possible—journalists are often on a tight deadline.
Fill in the press contact form and send it to the relevant parties.

Contact the department’s communications officer or DTU's press office: presse@dtu.dk / 4525 7878