Print Journalism

PRINT JOURNALISM 4(1+3)

Lesson 5 : Interviewing Skills

General guidelines

1. The reporter should give reasons for being there, unless he is working on something very sensitive.
2. He should be on time for the interview. This is very important. It shows the importance of the interviewee and that he has not been taken for granted. In short, he must be ready right on time to start the interview.
3. He should start the interview with broad questions.
4. He should not interrupt until the interviewee has released. The reporter should avoid making the interviewee uncomfortable at the outset. It would be of little value.
5. Let the interviewee speak at length on his favorite topics/ achieving /fact. The irrelevant facts can always be edited out.
6. Stick to the subject.
7. Avoid commenting and let the interviewee do most of the talking.
8. Do not end the interview till the reporter get the basics. How does he spell his name, official title, age etc. preferably get the details in advance from his staff and then get it confirmed by him.
9. Be understanding. Do not be insensitive. Make the interviewee feel important. Keep the interviewee at ease.