Ever worried about interviews because the reporter might have an attitude with you? What would you do if the reporter who came to interview you clearly has a bad attitude, an agenda, or is belligerent and argumentative? Say, you're 10 minutes into the interview and fear that stopping it will make the reporter angry. But you suspect the story will turn out disastrous if you proceed.

If you sense you are in trouble, politely stop the interview and explain why. Ask the reporter the name of the person to whom he or she reports. Then call that editor and explain what happened. Don't ask the editor not to print the information you gave the reporter because that's like dangling raw meat in front of a hungry dog. Simply explain that you feel you were not treated fairly. There's a chance the reporter will not write a story if the interview lasted only 10 minutes. If the reporter's editor gives you the brush-off, find out the name of that editor's direct superior and go all the way to the top (the publisher) if you have to. Newspapers are much more sensitive to these types of complaints now than ever before.
If you want to learn more tips about how to handle an argumentative reporter and their questions, see Special Report #1 "Damage Control: How to Keep the Media from Making a Mess of Your Story."