The Flack

In a crisis, words and promises will only partially deflect the harsh media spotlight. It is decisive action by a company or institution that will put to bed a festering problem. When Harvard president Larry Summers inadvertently opened up the proverbial beehive with his gender-bending comments, it almost cost him his job. It certainly took its toll on the reputation of this nation’s leading academic institution.

Four months have passed and the story finally has slipped quietly out of the MSM and into the news archives. (Time has a way of healing.) Yesterday the university announced that it will spend $50 million over 10 years to promote diversity — a recommendation of the task force convened to study the problem. This is smart. Some will say that with an endowment of $20 billion , $50 million is a drop in the bucket to Harvard. I say it is enough to close the chapter in this overplayed saga.

Citing pressure from its members, the Niemen Foundation at Harvard cancelled the scheduled media training session for Chinese officals who had hoped to brush up on the U.S. media in preparation for their playing host to the 2008 Olympic Games. It’s incredulous to me that media training, message development, etc. is still viewed insideously by members of the fourth estate. Who doesn’t do this nowadays, and doesn’t a well-trained spokesperson for a corporate, government, NGO or non-profit enterprise make for a better-informed and more articulate interview? Clearly, trained journalists have sufficient moxie to cut through any spin.