Unit D - Interviewing Skills and Techniques Flashcards
(38 cards)
What are the basics of an interview?
Who, what, when, where, why, how.
If an interview is contentious, what must you do?
Get both sides.
If there are allegations in an interview, what must you do?
Give the accused an opportunity for rebuttal.
When interviewing a spokesperson for a club or organisation, what must you make sure of?
That person has the authority to be a spokesperson.
What must you always tell an interviewee, except in exceptional circumstances?
That you are a journalist working for a named publication.
What is good about email, text, and messaging apps?
Straightforward interviews, matter not particularly contentious or important, only need a few quotes.
What is good about email interviews?
Can be useful if the info required is detailed/technical.
What is the advantage of face-to-face interviews?
- more quotes
- learn more about a person
- body languages is telling - which questions interviewee wants to avoid, feels uncomfortable with, finds difficult to answer
What is it important to remember when you are interviewing a person?
You need to relate to them.
What is it important to remember when you are interviewing a person in distress?
Always treat with compassion and respect.
What must you remember when conducting a ‘death knock’ interview?
Codes of conduct.
What are the nine things you must remember in preparation for an interview?
- find out deadline
- find out expected story length
- find out type of story expected
- make appointment with interviewee
- research subject thoroughly
- frame suitable questions in advance
- check route
- have necessary recording materials
- be suitably dressed
What must you do in a face-to-face interview introduction? (two)
- make sure you’re meeting correct person, check name spelling and other details
- say who you are and who you represent
What are the manners you must be aware of when conducting a face-to-face interview? (three)
- be pleasant and polite
- if not invited to sit, ask if you may do so
- don’t be overfamiliar or use interviewee’s first name unless invited to do so or think appropriate
How should you establish rapport in a face-to-face interview? (seven)
- put subject at ease
- show interest/enthusiasm if justified
- try to gauge interviewee’s mood but keep objectivity
- don’t apologise for using notebook or ask if you may do so - expected practice
- beware that interviewee may be put off if you bring out notebook too soon
- decide when time is right
- establish and maintain eye contact
How should you establish facts in a face-to-face interview? (sixteen)
- avoid yes/no questions
- avoid negative questions
- ask questions that lead to clear answers
- learn to listen and be as natural as possible with interviewee
- think about what answers mean
- think in areas of knowledge, fill in details and go over things
- think of what the reader wants to know
- keep comments non-committal
- never reveal personal political preference
- check spellings of names and places
- clarify vague answers
- don’t ask too many questions at once
- consider whether photo is appropriate
- leave difficult/contentious questions until last
- when interviewee finishes, check if prepared questions have been answered
- finish by asking if there is anything interviewee would like to add
How should you close a face-to-face interview? (three)
- leave business card or name and phone number
- get their phone number and/or address and if necessary find out how to contact them
- thank interviewee for their time
What should you do if an interviewee wants something off the record?
- ask them why
- ask which parts could be used without causing problems
- last resort: ask if info could be used without attribution to this source
Why should you beware of promising to keep info confidential?
May agree to Source A to keep info confidential if absolutely necessary, but if Source B gives similar info freely then there is nothing to stop you using it.
What else must you remember to avoid encountering problems when interviewing?
Legalities regarding mentioning names and libel laws.
Why and how should you resist if interviewees insist on seeing the story before it is published?
- not normal practice as production deadlines make it impossible
- skim through notes and outline points you are likely to use
- as a last resort, with express permission of chief reporter, news editor, or editor, offer to read copy over the phone
- never agree to hand copy over to the interviewee
Why should you never give assurance that a story won’t be published?
This is up to the editor only.
What should you consider when preparing for a telephone interview? (four)
- keep questions to the point and down to a minimum as faster pace
- find out about the interviewee beforehand
- find out appropriate person to contact and ask for him/her by name
- if in doubt, go to the top
What should you consider regarding telephone interview availability? (five)
- some people regard a phone call as an intrusion
- can be dodged easily
- reason may be genuine - arrange to call back at later time
- person may not want to talk to a faceless inquisitor or doubts your credentials
- take into account person’s likely daily routine and apologise if calling during anti-social hours
