Colin Powell, former United States four star general and Secretary of State, lists 15 lessons on handling the media on pages 132-133 of his book, It worked for me. He shared these Lessons with a person named Cal, whom he was mentoring.

Many of the techniques can be applied to other-under pressure situations.

Media handling techniques:

1. They get to pick the questions. You get to the pick the answers.
2. You don’t have to answer any question you don’t want to.
3. Never lie or dissemble, of course; but beware of being too candid or open.
4. Never answer hypothetical questions about the future.
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