The frustrations of an FTW journalist ...

The jargon phrase for the PR contingent in any business or body is “f lak catchers”, implying that they are there to take the grief from a dissatisfied or critical outsider – and leave the bosses to live their utopian management dreams undisturbed. But the problem with the PR outfit at Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is that they don’t catch the f lak. Indeed, they don’t seem to recognise it for what it is. In FTW’s case, the frustrating saga started in what for weekly journalists is the depths of the historic past, when on July 31 we attempted to get an update on the latest status of TFR’s fixed scheduling plans. A simple question. “What’s the latest on TFR’s fixed scheduling plans – on which routes is it operating and what’s the roll-out schedule?” This was on a Wednesday. And, to fit in with our weekly deadline, we added that we’d “be obliged if you could get us a prompt answer to the following question” – as the deadline for that week was no later than Friday morning. When similar appeals are made to the private sector you mostly get a timely response, or an immediate apology for being unable to answer in time, and suggesting a date only a short time after – which is almost always adhered to. The answer from TFR wasn’t forthcoming in time that week. An apology for the inconvenience was made, but adding that the “relevant representatives” were very busy, and could “only give you the answer by Monday if it will still be OK”. But, come Monday, the sounds of silence. And an e-mail immediately sent to them asking for an update, was answered with the excuse that it now had to go to the GM for approval, but would be in our hands early the next week. But there was still no answer that following week, nor on any of the following weeks, with continuing weekly, and increasingly desperate, appeals for a response always going unfulfilled. So a new definition of public relations (PR) for the TFR. Rather phrase it as PF – public frustration. The art of ducking f lak, and just letting it soar over your head. But FTW is still bravely fighting the good fight as we move into September – with hopes, not expectation, held high. Next week … next week … next week …