Evasion Makes It Worse: Why Dodging Questions Hurts Your Story
In public relations, politics, or any situation where a story is unfolding fast, one of the most damaging things a person can do is be evasive. You’ve seen it before — a reporter asks a direct question, and the interviewee dodges, deflects, or changes the subject. You can almost feel the discomfort through the screen.
Here’s the truth: when you refuse to answer a question, you don’t stop the story. You become the story.
Why Evasion Happens
Evasion usually shows up in moments of crisis — or in moments that feel like a crisis.
Maybe a negative story is breaking, a decision is being questioned, or someone fears a tough headline. The instinct to “play it safe” by saying as little as possible is understandable. No one wants to make a bad situation worse.
But in reality, dodging questions does exactly that. It invites suspicion, fuels speculation, and keeps the story alive for days or weeks longer than it needs to be. Reporters are trained to chase the answers people don’t give. And the more you dance around a topic, the more attention it gets.
What Audiences Really Respond To
Audiences can handle bad news. They can process mistakes, setbacks, even scandals — if they feel they’re getting the truth. What people don’t handle well is spin. When they sense you’re hiding something, trust disappears instantly.
Being transparent doesn’t mean oversharing or confessing to things you don’t need to. It means being direct, factual, and human. It means acknowledging the situation, explaining what’s being done about it, and — if appropriate — expressing empathy for those affected.
The Power of Straight Answers
A clear, honest statement will always beat a polished but evasive one. It may not eliminate the tough headline, but it will make you look credible and composed — and that’s what lasts. The best PR professionals know that owning the narrative starts with owning your words.
A Better Way Forward
If you ever find yourself facing a difficult interview, take a breath.
Be clear. Be truthful. Don’t try to outsmart the question — answer it.
Because in PR, politics, or crisis communication, the only thing worse than a tough story is one that makes you look like you’re hiding something.
