Quite often a reporter is used to scribbling down the keywords and making the interview subject sound better than they originally did. And yes, by the time it goes through a copy clearer and editor, the quote might be unrecognisable!

Another Journalist: Thanks for your opinion! I might not agree with everything you say, but I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions, so I respect what you said. But also allow me to respond to your feedback.

1) I agree with quotes needing to be cut short and chosen selectively. As a journalist, I might even add two quotes together to form a sentence, but I really wouldn’t add new stuff in it and change words around. If I really had to, I would make sure my interviewee sounds better, and not worse.

2) Well, that’s possible! If that’s really the case, I apologise for jumping at the reporter!

3) I wasn’t really criticising what she wrote on her notebook. I was just telling how it was, so that people can see the picture of how it was possible for her to misquote me.

4) Being more understanding is one way to look at it. On the other hand, if you’ve been in that path before, sometimes you will have stricter standards. My cousin used to work as a waitress for many years and she’s really believes in the importance of giving good service. So when she goes to a restaurant and gets lousy service from a waiter, she’ll get upset and complain because someone is spoiling the image of her profession.

Monster: Thanks for understanding, monster. You totally hit the nail on the head! Yeah, I do think the last bit made me sound like a cheapo. I just didn’t type it out. But you did it for me!

Mike M: I don’t really get what you mean. I’m not talking about American press! But yes, all press (no matter from what country) misquote and bend the truth. lol.

precious: Hahaha. That’s it. Next time I ever get another chance to be interviewed by Malaysian press, I’m going to make them let me read the copy before it goes to print! lol.

Priss: Well, she did use the correct keywords. I just don’t like the way she constructed the sentences because I have very high standards of my English and the way she wrote it really made me sound quite bimbotic!

Yes, I admit I am bimbotic at times and I even claim to be a bimbo but at least in my own blog, I have control of the bimbotic factor! lol. Sorry if that doesn’t make sense.

Yuuka: Thanks for the support! And thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment! ;)

Jesta: Yeah, I agree. That’s why I’m not being superbly hard on this journalist. I could have written a sharper, more stinging blog! But really, even when I have to make up quotes, I always try to make my interviewee sound intelligent and good and nice. I don’t think I sound any of that in that little sentence the reporter made up for me! Haha.

modchip: Yes, that’s true.

Dominique: Haha. Babelfish is much worse. But it’s funny!

PG: You’re not even a blogger lah! :P

QuaChee: Well, I do agree that sometimes quotes have to be joined up and the best quote chosen to fit the angle of the article. But I could have written it in a better way that will make me sound less bimbotic and less greedy. I can even give her fewer words if she needs.

I don’t think it’s a matter of similar meaning. It’s more how it’s written. What if you get interviewed and the reporter rephrased your words and came up with an awkward phrase with bad grammar or something like that? (Yes, even newspapers publish bad grammar once in a while.) The meaning might be correct, but it will make you sound like you can’t speak English properly!

JayWalk: Haha. That’s a bit extreme lah. Not all journalists can’t be trusted. :P

*bleh*

Allow me to give my 2 sen worth, me being a publisher and have gone through being on both sides - as an interviewer and interviewee.

I agree you most likely don’t talk like that. Most likely many others as well who are reported in the press daily.

These reporters concise your sentences at times because they are trying to find ‘the sentence/ the quote’ for the day.

She couldnt take your first sentence only because it happens to all nearly everyone at all events (ok most events). So, if she writes that, then it becomes ‘boring’ to the readers - the money paying people who want unique things, not their ordinary lives.

Then, your next sentence, is a good statement. But she had to link to something. So, since she only asked you that much, she linked it to your first sentence.

On your statements being different from what you said, I guess, as long it has a similar meaning, then it should be ok. Be proud to be quoted as how many of the rest were even interviewed… or some interviewed but not featured.

:)