One of the most difficult aspects of my transition from Tech co to trade association has been getting comfortable conversing with tech journalists.
I didn't do a lot of press work before my career at Google. And then once I got to G, speaking to the press was a huge no.
The most traumatizing encounter I had with the press actually occurred during my time at Google.
It damaged my confidence so badly that I still put up guards in my new role. Which is unfortunate because the recent press encounters I've had have actually been quite lovely.
I'll never forget when an NYT reporter called me to let me know that my tweets and DMs were going to be used in a story about 230/suicide content.
I had just transitioned to public policy at G, a dream job for me, and I remember fearing not just for my job but also my life.
I recall asking the reporter if it was absolutely necessary to use me as a source as my tweets regarded research I was doing at my law school at the time and had nothing to do with Google.
Yep -- they had to. And sure enough the story quoted me as speaking on behalf of Google.
The weeks following the story, I received multiple death threats. You're already hated enough as it is when you're a "big tech" employee. But this was worse because I was also the tech employee that was publicly defending 230 in association w/suicide.
Someone DM'd me a picture of my house. Another person actually showed up at my house. It was a nightmare.
@jmiers230 this sounds all too familiar as someone that advocates for preventing child sex abuse as a preventable public health issue instead of an inevitable criminal issue
@jmiers230 oh god yes. It'd be so much easier if people were able to not let their emotions get in the way of rational, logical thought
@jmiers230 it doesn't help when you have "controversial" views such as "we should help pedophiles be able to live law abiding lives" (something that shouldn't be controversial!)
That's quite relatable. For the most part, I land on the 'right to die' side of the spectrum (which is what ultimately got me in trouble here). Talk about conversations society just isn't ready to have...
@JoshuaACasey
So much respect. This is particularly why I have managed to stay out of the kids online safety lane. Way too much at stake and so understandably emotionally charged.