3 Interviewing and Sources

Purpose and preparation

A Journalistic interview is a purposeful conversation in which the reporter seeks accurate information, explanation, and perspective for an audience. Preparation gives the conversation direction, while attentive listening lets it respond to what the interviewee says. A prepared question list is a guide, not a script.

Plan the interview

Begin by identifying what the story needs to establish and what the interviewee can contribute. Research the topic and the person’s role, review relevant documents or earlier public statements, and identify gaps or claims that need clarification. Preparation helps you ask informed questions without pretending to know more than you do.

Create a short outline of essential topics and arrange questions in a useful order: start with accessible background, move to specifics and more difficult issues, and leave time for follow-ups. Check names, titles, dates, and pronunciations. Arrange an appropriate place, time, and format; test recording equipment; and explain the interview’s purpose. If recording, obtain consent and follow applicable law and newsroom policy. Keep notes as a backup.

Ask clear questions

Prefer questions that are short, neutral, and open-ended. An Open-ended question such as “What happened next?” invites an account; “You handled that badly, didn’t you?” suggests the expected answer. Ask one thing at a time, and avoid bundling several issues together because the interviewee may answer only the easiest part. Ask questions that advance the reporting, not questions designed to display the reporter’s knowledge.

A closed question can confirm a specific fact—for example, “Was the meeting on Tuesday?”—but usually needs a follow-up that supplies context. Useful follow-ups include:

• Clarify meaning: “What do you mean by ‘delayed’?”

• Get specifics: “When did that happen?” or “Who was present?”

• Seek evidence: “How do you know?” or “What records support that?”

• Explore significance: “What changed as a result?”

• Invite an example: “Can you describe one instance?”

For example, after an official says, “We responded promptly,” ask when the first response occurred and what action was taken. A Follow-up question can clarify an answer or obtain details that the initial response leaves out.

Listen and take reliable notes

Listen to understand the answer, rather than only preparing the next question. Let the interviewee finish, tolerate pauses, and follow up on unexpected details. A useful answer may raise a question that was not on your list. If a key point is unclear, ask the person to explain or repeat it instead of guessing.

Take concise notes on key facts, exact wording worth checking or quoting, names, figures, and possible follow-ups. Mark a Direct quotation clearly and distinguish it from a paraphrase. Separate Observation and interpretation in your notes: “paused before answering” is an observation, while “seemed dishonest” is a judgment.

Do not treat a recording as infallible: devices can fail, and a recording may not capture useful context. Promptly review the recording and expand your notes while details are fresh. Confirm spellings and titles, and follow up on gaps.

Handle difficult exchanges

An interviewee may evade a question, become angry, give a long answer, or raise a sensitive subject. Stay calm and professional. Restate the question plainly, identify what remains unanswered, and ask for a direct response. For example: “I understand that is your position. My question is whether the department received the report before the decision.” If the person goes off topic, politely redirect the conversation: “I’d like to return to the timeline.”

When an answer contains a claim, ask what supports it and seek Independent corroboration. An interview alone does not establish that a claim is true.

For difficult or sensitive questions, be direct without being needlessly accusatory. Explain the relevant facts or concern, give the person a fair opportunity to respond, and do not disguise a serious question with a misleading setup. Treat interviewees with dignity, but courtesy does not require dropping a relevant question. If someone declines to answer, do not turn the exchange into an argument; note the refusal accurately and continue reporting.

Close and follow up

At the close, ask whether there is anything important you have not covered, verify essential details, and request a reliable way to follow up. Thank the interviewee. After the interview, distinguish what you learned from what still needs independent checking.