Interviewing

Definition

Interviewing is the process of asking questions to gather information from a source, typically used in journalism to create compelling stories. This essential skill involves not only formulating questions but also actively listening and responding to the interviewee, creating a dialogue that can uncover deeper insights and perspectives. Mastering the art of interviewing is crucial for journalists as it helps establish trust and rapport, which can lead to more informative and impactful narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective interviewing requires preparation, including researching the interviewee and crafting relevant questions beforehand.
2. Building rapport with the interviewee is essential; it encourages openness and honesty during the conversation.
3. Different types of interviews exist, such as structured, semi-structured, and unstructured, each serving different purposes.
4. Ethics play a vital role in interviewing; journalists must respect privacy and obtain consent when necessary.
5. Follow-up questions are crucial as they can lead to more in-depth information and clarification on important points.

Review Questions

• How does active listening enhance the effectiveness of an interview in journalism?
  • Active listening significantly enhances an interview's effectiveness by ensuring that the journalist fully engages with the interviewee's responses. It allows the journalist to pick up on nuances, emotions, and important details that may not be immediately apparent. By demonstrating genuine interest through active listening, the journalist can create a more comfortable environment, encouraging the interviewee to share deeper insights and personal stories that enrich the narrative.
• Discuss the importance of questioning techniques in shaping the outcome of an interview.
  • Questioning techniques are critical because they determine how much valuable information is obtained from the interviewee. Utilizing open-ended questions encourages elaboration, while closed questions can help clarify specific facts. The use of follow-up questions can delve deeper into responses, allowing journalists to uncover layers of meaning. Mastery of these techniques allows journalists to guide conversations effectively and extract significant details that contribute to well-rounded stories.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations that a journalist must keep in mind when conducting an interview.
  • When conducting an interview, journalists must navigate several ethical considerations to maintain credibility and respect for their sources. They should ensure that consent is obtained before sharing any sensitive information and respect the privacy of their interviewees. Additionally, journalists need to accurately represent what is said without misquoting or taking comments out of context. Upholding ethical standards fosters trust with sources and contributes to responsible journalism.

Related terms

Source: An individual or document that provides information for a news story, often interviewed to gain firsthand insights.

Questioning Techniques: Strategies used during interviews to elicit detailed responses, including open-ended and follow-up questions.

Active Listening: A communication technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the interviewee says.