"Wooing the press is an exercise roughly akin to picnicking with a tiger. You might enjoy the meal, but the tiger always eats last"

Maureen Dowd's quote, "Wooing journalism is a workout roughly similar to picnicking with a tiger. You might delight in the meal, however the tiger constantly consumes last", is a brilliant metaphor that records the precarious nature of engaging with the media. This example conveys both the allure and the fundamental risks of communicating with the press.

First of all, the act of "charming the press" recommends an intentional attempt to curry favor or gather favorable attention. Simply as one may prepare an enjoyable and stunning picnic, people, business, or public figures often craft messages and narratives intended to appeal to reporters and, by extension, the general public. The picnic, therefore, symbolizes the preliminary stage of interaction where one's offerings-- whether stories, interviews, or news release-- exist enticingly.

Nevertheless, the comparison to "picnicking with a tiger" serves as a cautionary tale. Despite the serene setting of a picnic, the existence of a tiger introduces a component of unpredictability and threat. The tiger, representing the press, is a powerful entity that can put in considerable impact. While one can attempt to manage this interaction, control is eventually limited. The tiger might indulge in the meal however maintains the power to identify the meal's conclusion-- for this reason, "the tiger constantly consumes last". This highlights the concept that the media, with its capacity to shape stories, holds ultimate authority.

Moreover, the declaration indicates that the media's concerns might differ starkly from those of the topics it covers. While a public figure might seek beneficial protection, reporters aim to craft engaging stories that might not line up with the topic's desires. In serving their audience, reporters-- and by extension, the press-- will follow the story to its most appealing or newsworthy conclusion, regardless of the preliminary intentions of those being covered.

In essence, Dowd's quote reflects on the double nature of media relations: they can be mutually beneficial, yet inherently risky. Journalism is an indispensable opportunity for public engagement and impact; nevertheless, it stays an independent force, prioritizing its own imperatives over the intents of those it covers.