Media Relations ◾ 39
he or she never saw or approved that news release from you or that policy statement
from one of the top associates, and even asking you to lie to the media and therefore
the public about what was said, for example, in recent past agency meetings.
What to do when as “the man in the middle” both your job in the agency and
your credibility with the media may be threatened? For perspective, these unfor-
tunate occurrences ordinarily adhere only to those government agencies and per-
sonalities that are frequently in the news. Hopefully you won’t be forced to make
a painful and career-shortening decision either to carry out what you consider as
unacceptable behavior or resign. One wayto defend yourself later against charges ...