Better to Threaten Than to be Nice
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Interestingly enough, a study, done by the University of Arizona, shows that threatening government agencies works better than taking the nice and friendly approach.
This study sent different government agencies letters to request public records. Some agencies were sent a friendly and polite letter, others were sent neutral letters and the rest were sent a "legalistic letter that threatened litigation for noncompliance."
Of the friendly and neutral letters sent out, half responded. Surprisingly two thirds of the agencies who received the threatening letter responded back, and more quickly to top it off.
To most the friendly letter would seem to get more responses. "Treat other how you want to be treated", right? Guess not.
To have a better chance at getting the information and in a timely manner sending a threatening letter is your best option.
The Student Press Law Center offers assistance to journalism students looking to obtain public records from stubborn government agencies.
Many still say to first use the friendly and polite approach because it can result in a more pleasant response. Then if this doesn't get journalists what they want they should send them a threatening letter.
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This study sent different government agencies letters to request public records. Some agencies were sent a friendly and polite letter, others were sent neutral letters and the rest were sent a "legalistic letter that threatened litigation for noncompliance."
Of the friendly and neutral letters sent out, half responded. Surprisingly two thirds of the agencies who received the threatening letter responded back, and more quickly to top it off.
To most the friendly letter would seem to get more responses. "Treat other how you want to be treated", right? Guess not.
To have a better chance at getting the information and in a timely manner sending a threatening letter is your best option.
The Student Press Law Center offers assistance to journalism students looking to obtain public records from stubborn government agencies.
Many still say to first use the friendly and polite approach because it can result in a more pleasant response. Then if this doesn't get journalists what they want they should send them a threatening letter.
