[Training Column] A Reporter's Perspective: On Press Scrums and Doorstop Interviews (Part 2) [Updated 20251103]

I am Takagi, your instructor.
Drawing on my experience as a former radio station announcer and news reporter, I conduct "Crisis Management and Media Relations Training" and "Explanation Skills Improvement Training" for local governments and public institutions across the country.

Our theme this time is as follows.
A Reporter's Perspective: On Press Scrums and Doorstop Interviews (Part 2)

This article is a continuation of the previous one.

You can find the previous article here
[Training Column] A Reporter's Perspective: On Press Scrums and Doorstop Interviews (Part 1) [Updated 20251103]

During my time as a news reporter for Ibaraki Broadcasting, I was a member of the press clubs at the Ibaraki Prefectural Government (prefectural administration), the Ibaraki Prefectural Police, Mito City, and Hitachi City, where I covered numerous emergency press conferences and apology press conferences.

At that time, I also experienced many "press scrums and doorstop interviews" within the press clubs. However, I explained that there is a teaching that says, "You should never accept press scrums or doorstop interviews."

When it comes to "press scrums and doorstop interviews" at emergency press conferences, should you accept them or not? Which is correct?

I explain it with the stance that it iscase-by-case.My explanation regarding how to handle "press scrums and doorstop interviews" in my media relations training is as follows.

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■ The Reality of "Press Scrums" and "Doorstop Interviews" at the Scene

・It is common teaching to "leave without accepting press scrums or doorstop interviews after a press conference."

・The main purpose of this is to avoid confusion after the conference. For press conferences where top executives of major corporations appear, or for press conferences that are broadcast on television, it is recommended to follow this teaching.

・However, in local press clubs or small-scale press conferences, as a practical matter, "press scrums and doorstop interviews" are frequently seen.

・This is because reporters conduct individual interviews separate from the formal press conference to craft their own unique stories.

・It is realistic to consider that "press scrums and doorstop interviews are possible" by taking into account the importance of the case, the size of the venue, and the number of reporters present.

Let me explain based on my own actual experience.

Taking the example of the Ibaraki Prefectural Government Press Club (Prefectural Administration Press Association) that I was in charge of,

・Regular Governor's Press Conference =
A press conference in a large conference room within the prefectural office.No press scrums or doorstop interviews.

・Emergency Press Conferences such as for nuclear accidents =
A press conference at the prefectural government press club.Press scrums and doorstop interviews occurred frequently and spontaneously.

There was a difference between the two.

In the prefectural press club where I worked, I often saw reporters, especially from newspapers, news agencies, and NHK, conducting thorough interviews during press scrums and doorstop interviews.

For journalists, 'press scrums and doorstop interviews' during emergencies are one of their most important tasks.

When you want to ask for detailed information that did not come up in a formal press conference, or when highly important information is likely to emerge later, you have no choice but to conduct a thorough interview during a 'press scrum or doorstop interview' while also taking notes on the questions and answers of the reporters around you.
So, how do you handle 'press scrums and doorstop interviews' at an emergency press conference? There are three main patterns.

So, how do you handle 'press scrums and doorstop interviews' at an emergency press conference? There are three main patterns.

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