6 Interviewing and Reporting Basics

Introduction

Behind every great news story is strong reporting—and at the heart of strong reporting is the interview. Whether you’re covering breaking news or writing a feature, the ability to ask the right questions, listen carefully, and capture accurate quotes can make or break your work. Interviewing isn’t just about gathering information; it’s about building trust, verifying facts, and uncovering truth.

In this chapter, we’ll explore the fundamentals of interviewing and reporting, from preparation to execution, and the ethical considerations that guide the entire process.

The Role of Interviews in Journalism

Interviews are essential to journalism because they:

– Provide firsthand information from people directly involved in or affected by an issue.
– Add credibility and authenticity to your story through quotes.
– Offer human voices that connect with readers emotionally.
– Clarify or explain complex issues, especially when experts are involved.

Preparing for the Interview

Successful interviews begin long before the first question is asked. Preparation helps you gain confidence, build credibility, and show respect for your source’s time.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Research the topic – Know the background so you can ask smart, informed questions.
2. Know your source – Understand who they are and why their perspective matters.
3. Draft questions – Focus on open-ended questions that invite storytelling.
4. Bring the tools – Notebook, pens, audio recorder (if allowed), and backup batteries.
5. Schedule wisely – Set aside enough time, and choose a location conducive to conversation.

Types of Questions

Crafting the right questions is an art. Here’s how to approach it:

Open-Ended Questions: Encourage detailed responses.
Example: “What was going through your mind when you first heard the news?”

Closed-Ended Questions: Useful for clarifying facts.
Example: “What time did the event begin?”

Follow-Up Questions: Show you’re listening and help you dig deeper.
Example: “Can you tell me more about what happened next?”

Probing Questions: Gently challenge your source to explain or clarify.
Example: “You mentioned safety concerns—can you give an example?”

During the Interview

Establishing Rapport: Start with small talk or an easy question to make the source feel comfortable.
Active Listening: Don’t just go down a list of questions. Pay attention to what the source says.
Taking Notes vs. Recording: Always ask permission before recording. Take notes as a backup.
Handling Emotion or Evasion: Be empathetic but stay professional. Rephrase if a question is dodged.

After the Interview

Organize Your Notes: Do this immediately while the conversation is fresh.
Fact-Checking: Double-check names, titles, statistics, and timelines.
Following Up: Don’t hesitate to reach back out to your source if needed.

Using Quotes and Attribution

When to Use a Direct Quote:
– The source said something powerful or uniquely worded.
Example: “We lost everything in the fire—our home, our pets, our sense of safety,” said Maria Lopez.

When to Paraphrase:
– The information is straightforward or could be more concise in your own words.
Example: Maria Lopez said her family lost their home and pets in the fire and are now living in a shelter.

Attribution Rules:
– Attribute all sourced information—quotes, paraphrased ideas, data.
– Include full name and relevant context on first reference.
– Use ‘said’ as your default attribution verb.

Interviewing in Digital and Multimedia Reporting

Today’s journalists use more than just a notebook. Interviews can be conducted and shared in many formats:
– Phone & Zoom Interviews – Convenient but harder to read body language.
– Email Interviews – Good for facts but lack spontaneity.
– On-camera Interviews – Require attention to lighting, sound, and visuals.
– Social Media – Sources may be found online, but must be vetted.

Always clarify when an interview is on the record, off the record, or on background.

Ethical Interviewing

Interviewing comes with responsibility. Ethical reporters must:
– Be honest about their role as a journalist.
– Avoid misrepresentation.
– Respect privacy.
– Use quotes responsibly.

When in doubt, ask: “Am I serving the public’s right to know without causing unnecessary harm?”

Summary

Interviewing is a blend of preparation, people skills, listening, and ethics. Mastering it takes time, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of being a journalist. By asking thoughtful questions and reporting accurately, you build trust with your sources and your audience.

Key terms

• Attribution – Crediting the source of information in a story.

• Direct Quote – The exact words spoken by a source, placed in quotation marks.

• Paraphrase – Restating a source’s ideas in your own words.

• Open-Ended Question – A question that invites a detailed or thoughtful response.

• Closed-Ended Question – A question that can be answered with “yes,” “no,” or a specific fact.

• Follow-Up Question – A question that builds on a previous response to gain more insight.

• Active Listening – Fully concentrating on what a source is saying in order to respond thoughtfully.

• On the Record – Information that can be quoted and attributed directly to a source.

• Off the Record – Information that cannot be used or attributed in a story.

• Background – Information that can be used but not directly attributed to a named source.