Journalistic interview is a process in which a journalist asks questions of a subject to gather information and insights for a news story or other journalistic work. The purpose of a journalistic interview is to obtain first-hand information, opinions, and perspectives from a subject who has knowledge or experience relevant to the story being reported.
Journalistic interviews can take many forms, including in-person, phone, or email interviews. They may be structured or unstructured, depending on the needs of the journalist and the subject.
In a journalistic interview, the journalist typically prepares a set of questions in advance, but is also prepared to ask follow-up questions based on the subject’s responses. The journalist should also be an active listener, paying close attention to the subject’s responses and seeking to clarify any points of confusion.
During the interview, it is important for the journalist to remain objective and impartial, avoiding expressing their own opinions or biases. The journalist should also respect the subject’s boundaries, and not push them to disclose information that they are not comfortable sharing.
Mastering interview skills is crucial for journalists, as interviews are a key tool for gathering information, conducting research, and producing stories.
Here are some tips for improving your interview skills:
Research the subject:
Before conducting an interview, it’s important to research the subject thoroughly. This can include reading articles, watching videos, and reviewing other sources of information to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic or person being interviewed.
Prepare questions:
Prepare a list of questions in advance, and tailor them to the subject and the purpose of the interview. Make sure your questions are open-ended and encourage detailed responses, rather than simple yes or no answers.
Listen actively:
During the interview, be an active listener. This means paying close attention to the subject’s responses, asking follow-up questions, and clarifying any points of confusion. Active listening is key to building rapport with the subject and obtaining valuable insights.
Establish rapport:
Building rapport with the subject is important for creating a comfortable and productive interview environment. This can include using a friendly and conversational tone, maintaining eye contact, and showing interest in the subject’s perspective.
Stay objective:
As a journalist, it’s important to remain objective and impartial during the interview. Avoid expressing your own opinions or biases, and focus on gathering information and insights from the subject.
Stay organized:
During the interview, take detailed notes or record the conversation to ensure you capture all the important information. After the interview, review your notes and summarize the key points to help you stay organized and prepare for writing your story.
Follow up:
After the interview, follow up with the subject to clarify any points of confusion or gather additional information. This can help you ensure the accuracy and completeness of your story.
Avoid leading questions:
Leading questions can bias the subject’s response and compromise the integrity of your reporting. Avoid questions that suggest a particular answer or lead the subject in a particular direction.
Build a relationship with sources:
Building relationships with sources can help you gain access to valuable information and insights. This can involve reaching out to sources regularly, maintaining contact, and showing interest in their work and perspectives.
Practice active listening:
Active listening involves not only hearing the subject’s words, but also understanding their underlying meaning and context. This requires careful attention to body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues, as well as active engagement in the conversation.
Final thoughts
By mastering these interview skills, journalists can conduct more effective and productive interviews, and produce high-quality stories that inform and engage their audiences.
