Can I request to approve an article before publication?

I’ve heard this question often in my nearly 20-year career in PR. Media interviews can be scary, and no one wants their business misrepresented in the press. But is it OK to request a reporter show you the article before it’s published?

The long and short of it is this: No – It’s best not to ask to see an article before it’s published.

Why? Because the article is the reporter’s piece, not yours. Asking to approve an article shows that you don’t trust the reporter to be accurate and fair, and that you want to control the message.

So, what do you do -- chew your fingernails until the article appears? Here are three alternatives to requesting to approve an article before publication:

1. Offer your review services, if the subject matter is technical. If you are presenting data or complex information about a topic, it’s OK to offer your review services. The reporter wants an accurate story just as much as you do. While it’s not right to demand, it’s OK to offer.

2. Know your messages. Interviewees who make this request are often unsure of their media skills. Know your messages and practice, practice, practice. If you don’t want to get caught in the press saying something you shouldn’t, then know what to say instead.

3. Trust the process. I often hear this request from interviewees who are highly suspicious of the media. Please trust that reputable media outlets have a strict review process, and editors will review the article before publication.

Don’t fly blind when interacting with the media. Get a PR expert in your corner who can guide you on what to say and help you leave post-interview anxiety behind.

Hi, I'm Allison Sit, TV reporter turned PR consultant. I help motivated small business owners gain visibility and media exposure for their companies.

Follow me on Instagram at @allisonsitpr.