Of Fanta and cookies at press conferences

The thing with press conferences is that some journalists are always bound to turn up with intimidating film equipment while the rest of us, print media journalists, are content with a simple pen and notebook. There are other press men whose media houses demand that they capture their story on film, which calls for the services of a video camera and all that intricate web of cables and tripods and filming lights that come with it. They will then proceed to rig their equipment in the conference room, all the while seeking out the best vantage points from which to capture the fairest images. And the problem with this intricate mesh of cables and wires is that only the TV journalists really seem to know how to maneuver around them without interfering with the power or the lighting scheme. Otherwise, the rest of us always find ourselves tripping over the cables and making utter fools of ourselves. My second issue with press conferences is that, who wants to be served teas and coffees and sodas and tiny cookies and pens and writing pads, which is all that press organisers seem to know to do? I can tolerate sodas and coffees and biscuits for light refreshment after donating blood, or while attending the birthday party of a six year-old. However, when journalists are out for work, especially those that cover the less serious bits like fashion shows and music events and corporate launches, the last thing they want handed to them is a warm soda straight out of the crate. What they want is to open the taps to an assortment of drinks in all their tribes. What we want here is the feeling of being spoilt before embarking on writing that story, and who wants to be spoilt on Fanta and cold, tough cookies and biscuits? You see, after that press conference, there has to be what is called a ‘mix n’ mingle’ session to follow shortly after. This is when journalists now take a break from that tense, stiff and boring press conference atmosphere to “network” with potential news sources and fellow journos. This is when we now get back to you, the organizer, for clarification on some of the points you raised in the conference room, but which we had missed because we came in late. Journalists are a busier lot than you think, by the way. This is where all the booze comes in handy, because who does not know how well alcohol oils conversation among good pals?