how can I keep a notorious incident out of the newspaper?

Question

I"m trying to protect a local business in a small town associated with but not involved or guilty of the incident

Answer 1

Are you sure they will be implicated in the story? You may not want to highlight the connection if you don't want it to be noticed.

Answer 2

If you are positive that you are going to be included in the story.......

My opinion has always been that the best defense is a good offense. Hire a good wordsmith... publisher... publicist....lawyer. Be sure that your side of the story is being told and that you come out of the situation as a positive as the situation allows. All media (Print, TV, Radio, Internet) is a lump of clay that can be molded into any shape the artist (publicist, attorney, advertiser) desires based upon the the information provided (your story) and the performance of the person that is delivering the message.

Don't take a chance and present the information yourself. The people that are behind the microphone, or in the "editing" area can cut sections of the truth and paste it into their fictional account of THEIR story ignoring key points of YOUR story. These people are intelligent and usually have an agenda beyond telling the truth.

If you are not sure that you will be involved/implicated, silence is the only way to go. Wait until you are mentioned or asked and present a professional version of YOUR story

Answer 3

I'm guessing that the business is the place the incident happened. So the story can't be told without mentioning the where, but there is no real other side except maybe "Things like that don't usually happen in my business." The owner could be interviewed saying that.

Answer 4

Best you can do is call the paper, ask for the reporter and give the other side of the issue; if they are going to report it, I doubt you'll talk them out of it without a lawyer and a good case for libel/slander.

Answer 5

If its News worthy, you probably cannot.