The Media Interview

It’s easy for journalists to get caught up in the quest for more information and to lose sight of what people might be going through during a crisis. But a Virginia Tech student made it clear where his priorities lay, as he spoke with Larry King last night about the campus shootings:

VOLTMER: Yes, we stayed in the dorm for a while until we heard that the situation was completely over and then I went to see a friend at the hospital who had been shot.

KING: And how did he come out?

VOLTMER: She’s doing good. It was really reassuring to see her. She smiled and the first thing she said was, “How are you guys?” And it was really good. She was really appreciative we were there….

KING: And your friend, the girl, will be OK?

VOLTMER: She’ll be fine. She’s recovering nicely….

KING: Danny, did your girlfriend tell you how it happened to her?

VOLTMER: No, I wasn’t going to ask her any questions like that.

KING: Obviously.

VOLTMER: I didn’t know what to say when I walked in the room. I just wanted her to rest.

[emphasis added and conversation condensed from the transcript]

Perhaps not so obvious, eh Larry?

Tonight was to be the first of CNN’s week long celebration of Larry King’s 50th year in broadcasting. One of the hallmarks of his Larry King Live TV interviews has been timeliness, so it was fitting that everything was cancelled so he could provide coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre.

Too often we take our voices for granted, until you’re on a media tour, for example, and you’re answering questions all day long. Today is World Voice Day, which was started back in 2002 to encourage everyone to

assess their vocal health all year long, and take action to improve and maintain good voice habits. This year’s theme, Don’t Tax Your Voice, prompts us to consider ways to preserve and protect our voices to avoid developing voice disorders.

The official website for World Voice Day has been greatly improved this year, featuring a series of vocal warm-up exercises, a vocal health quiz, tips for improved vocal communication, and much more.

My wife the publicist has suggested that I observe the day by conserving my voice and not speaking; in fact, she is encouraging me to observe World Voice Month…