7 bad journalist habits that drive PR people nuts

Not responding to pitches. Abandoning stories without notice. Spiteful online shaming. A public relations pro has her say on the worst attributes of smug reporters.

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Journalists have a long, long list of things they hate about PR people—and they’re not shy about sharing their opinions.

There are countless articles, blog posts and tweets from reporters telling PR folks what we’re doing wrong and why they can’t stand us. Some even say they’d rather have a “literal infectious disease” than be on our email lists.

Others just wish an elephant would sit on us.

To all the PR spammers who use those randomized-address email services so you can’t filter their messages: I hope an elephant sits on you.

— Max J. Rosenthal (@maxjrosenthal) September 25, 2018

Journalists certainly have a right to be frustrated with bad PR tactics. (There are some truly awful ones.) However, these smug folks who love to put us on blast and mock our profession should look in the mirror occasionally. For all their complaining, reporters have some bad habits of their own.

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