Interviewing

1. Interviewing

2. Obtaining information • Interviews are one of the main sources we have to obtain information, which is the raw material a journalist works with. • Other sources – documents, observation. These other sources also often require interviews to produce a complete story.

3. Preparation • Research the topic or person so you have some familiarity and background. Helps you ask better questions and shows respect for your source. • You won’t waste time asking about things that are widely known. • Easier to ask productive, interesting questions. • You won’t embarrass yourself by appearing ignorant.

4. Preparation, cont. • More likely to recognize when source says something interesting/newsworthy. • Less likely to have to go back and re-interview. • Some sources try to manipulate reporters or avoid difficult topics. Research can help a reporter avoid that.

5. Where? • In-person is best. Seeing you helps put source at ease, and you can notice things – gestures, etc. • More normal way of conversing. • In-person is even more important if the source doesn’t deal with the media very often. Can calm the source’s nerves. • Phone OK if you have to, or if it’s a source you commonly talk to on your beat. • Email interview only as a last, worst resort.

6. Who? • Best possible source for the story you are working on. • Looking for a source with knowledge, expertise and insight relevant to your story. • Actual person working on a project is better than a PR rep.

7. What to ask • Interviewers should have a tentative central point in mind as they plan a story – the “what.” • Once you figure that out, and have done your background research, think about what you need to find out from the source. • Jot down a few questions. Don’t think of those as a script, though. LISTEN to the answers and ask other questions accordingly. Your story may change. • Save difficult or potentially embarrassing questions for the end of the interview.

8. Conducting the interview • Conversational approach. • Small talk at the start to put the source at ease. • LISTEN. Very important. • Sources don’t like to be badgered/pushed. Hostile source? Try to find out why. • Keep interview on track. • Don’t ever deceive source about purpose of interview. It’s unethical. • At the end, ask if there’s anything they have to add or you may have forgotten to ask about.

9. Taking notes • Figure out a way to write quickly. Abbreviate? • People speak faster than you can write – focus on getting down important direct quotes, jot down other facts. Ask a “throwaway” question if you have to. • Two pens. • Review your notes immediately when you get back to your office, while interview is fresh on your mind.

10. Taking notes, cont. • Voice recorders – good to use, but can fail. Still take notes. Also, don’t over quote. Make sure source knows they are being recorded. • Email interviews – generally discouraged. Doesn’t allow for candid answers, can lead source to carefully script response and leave it lifeless. • Phone interview – if you are going to type your notes while doing a phone interview, tell the source. Can sound strange on the phone.

11. How many sources? • Depends on the story, deadline pressure, expertise of sources, controversy of topic, complexity of topic. • As many as it takes to prepare a complete report. • No matter how many sources you talk to, you must evaluate the sources – are they credible? Are they knowledgeable? Do they have an ax to grind?

12. Direct quotes • Use them when someone says something unique. • Or they say something in a unique way. • Important, significant information. • Can provide color and spice for a story. • Accuracy is quite important. If you aren’t sure you’ve got the quote down accurately, don’t use it.

13. Listen • Did I mention listening? It’s very important when it comes to conducting interviews. • Pay attention. You aren’t sure what the source is going to say. What they say may change your approach/line of questioning.

14. Questions?