What Peter Ragone Could Learn from Mayor Newsom

Yesterday, Peter Ragone had the good fortune of being bumped from the headlines by his employer, Mayor Gavin Newsom.  However, let's  not forget this is a Mayoral Press Secretary who lied to the media. 

Peter Ragone, to refresh your memory, lied to the ABC 7 I-Team and the SFist political blog about using phony names to post flattering comments about the mayor and to slam our investigative reporter Dan Noyes. You can see it all on videotape here.

Mayor Newsom didn't publicly admit that he had an affair with the wife of his campaign manager Alex Tourk until the news media published and broadcast the story Wednesday night. But once it was out there, the Mayor not only admitted to the affair, he apologized to all parties involved and to the people of the City and County of San Francisco.

Lessons for Peter Ragone:

1. Tell the truth the first time. When Dan Noyes asks you a question, such as "did you post on local political blogs using phony names?" Just tell the truth. You're the mayor's press secretary. If you can't speak truthfully about something you have firsthand knowledge about that exists with unequivocal evidence, how are journalists or the public expected to believe anything else you tell us?

2. Publicly apologize. You violated our trust, Peter. You lied about posting under phony names on our website and at least one other. When you lie, then confess to the truth, by any objective measure, most people are offended. An apology goes a long way to convince us that you're really sincere and know that lying to reporters and bloggers is unacceptable from someone in your position.

3. Dig yourself out of your bunker and start doing your job. That means taking our phone calls, returning voice mail messages and responding to our emails. Treat reporters with common courtesy.  Giving us a valid email address would be a nice beginning. And then once we connect with you, cooperate with us and help us tell the story of San Francisco Government, rather than being an obstructionist. (See examples here)

It's been over a year since our President and General Manager and I spent 90-minutes, at your request, with you and Mayor Newsom, listening to your complaints about the ABC 7 I-Team's coverage of various issues. We listened, we treated you respectfully and we will continue to do so.  However, we aren't going away. We will do our job and serve as a watchdog on city government.  Now is as good a time as ever to get a fresh start.

Comments

[ragoneisfarworsethanyouknow]

While you are at it Peter, why don't you explain what's going on with that whole Ellis Act TIC issue.

Google: Ellis Act, TIC, Peter Ragone.

Was that the real answer you gave to BeyondChron? What's really the truth Peter? San Francisco wants to know. Come clean little Peter. Put down the cookies and candy bars and come clean.

[kenenth chan]

I don't think Peter Ragone should be on his job as press secretary anymore. He should be fired!!

[Celeste Altus]

Ragone admits to blog fraud

PR Week USA Feb 8 2007 14:00

SAN FRANCISCO: Adding to the recent scandals affecting the office of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Peter Ragone, director of communications, has admitted to using a false identity to attack critics online.
While Newsom deals with his own problems, including treatment for alcoholism and the aftermath of admitting an affair with the wife of his former campaign manager Alex Tourk (who resigned as a result), Ragone has confessed to posting comments under other people's names on local blogs, such as ABC7News.com and SFist.com - actions that have gotten national attention in media like The New York Times.

Newsom has said Ragone will keep his job. Newsom's office didn't return a call for comment.

ABC investigative reporter Dan Noyes, one of the critics Ragone attacked online, confronted him in a news segment.

"[Ragone] has been using [blogs], trashing his critics," Noyes said. "Some people may see it as a small matter, but it's a different issue when it is someone who is in the public."
Gary Thompson, EVP and GM of Schwartz Communications, said Ragone's behavior was more than a mistake.

"He committed the ultimate sin in PR: You don't lie," Thompson said. "You should not put anything out there that isn't you."

[Bill Aston]

I would like to know why Michael Finney is no longer on talk rado on Sunday morning! No mention has been made --- he contributes much to the average consumer! Perhaps
the business community is applying a little pressure on your station? Please advise! Thank You.

[Bill Aston]

I would like to know why Michael Finney is no longer on talk rado on Sunday morning! No mention has been made --- he contributes much to the average consumer! Perhaps
the business community is applying a little pressure on your station? Please advise! Thank You.