Media Interview-Types

 Interviwing

Standard interviewing rules will always apply, but there may be some variance depending on exactly which type of interview the reporter seeks.

1. Phone interview

Journalists will often be located miles away from their interviewees, but remain keen to speak to them directly. Phone interviews are currently the most common form taken by media interviews.Telephonic Interview: the telephonic interview has been found a useful way of getting the views of local people when you are very near press time, which perhaps accounts for the extension in its use. For instance, suppose some restrictions on a commodity were suddenly lifted, and you were told to get interviews for a local angle story:

  These interviews will often be transcribed and published in text format,  for an industry podcast, or radio piece 

 Advantages: Wherever you, and the journalist, are in the world, there are no barriers to a interview,

2. Broadcast interview

This could be live on radio or TV, or the recording may be kept and subsequently broadcast, for example on an industry podcast.

  Advantages: This type of interview is unique in offering the opportunity to be seen ‘in person’, able to much more effectively engage people when you have access to tools such as tone of voice and – if the interview is on video – body language and gestures.

3. In-person interview-Meet-and-greet interview

This type of interview can be difficult to secure. Reporters are extremely busy and always on deadline, so when they want to take the time to meet and speak with you in person, it’s a definite positive. A meet-and-greet is an indication that the reporter wishes to establish rapport and a longstanding relationship with  a source.

4.On-the-record interview: On-the-record interviews are the most straightforward. They involve questions the reporter seeks answers to, typically for a specific story, and are pretty much a sure bet for being quoted and visible. Sometimes a reporter will provide a list of questions in advance, but this is not a guarantee or requirement. Either way, prepare your talking points and stick to them throughout your conversation. If a question comes up that you don’t have an answer to or don’t want to speak to, it’s fine to say that directly to the reporter.

Advantages: This is the quickest and easiest way to establish a rapport with a journalist, and provides a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship with them in the future.

5' Off-the-record interview:

 Reporters are interested in off-the-record interviews when they are doing initial groundwork for a potential story but don’t yet have enough material to move on. While off-the-record is intended to create a safe zone in conversation,  In this interview type, the reporter has a job to do, so tailor your responses accordingly.

6. Background interview: A standard background interview means that a reporter is interested in your knowledge based on his or her area of coverage. Generally, a background interview involves speaking with a reporter to discuss trends you see in your industry, potential future story ideas and the like, but does not necessarily mean you’ll be quoted in the moment. By also sharing details of your specific focus and noteworthy experience, you can provide a reporter with a frame of reference for upcoming story needs. A background interview usually doesn’t result in a story right away, but it is a great way to establish yourself as a future subject matter source.

Written Interview: The written interview, where a person writes answers to a series of questions sent to him, is now seldom employed. Perhaps this is as well, for it is never wholly satisfactory. For one thing, a ‘follow up’ question can never be asked, and it may so happen that a written answer almost demands further questions in order to elucidate a point. In addition, it lacks the personal touch that is so essential. Avoid it as much as you can. 

7.Email interview: Email interviews are actually quite ideal. They involve exchanging questions and answers solely through email communication, so there’s little margin for error and you can control your message completely. Sometimes a reporter will request a phone call to clarify any points in an email response, but it’s generally straightforward and to the point.

7.Broadcast interview: Broadcast interviews are a different ball game altogether. For television, an interviewee has to think through not only his or her interview responses but also physical appearance, tone and body language. 

Multiple Choice Quiz
A major disadvantage to email interviews is that

 a. the reporter can't see the source's facial expression and body language or hear his vocal inflections.

 b. the source can respond with long, thoughtful answers.

 c. many sources are less accessible through email than over the phone.

 d. the reporter has an exact record of what the source said.

Interviews conducted by broadcast reporters differ from those conducted by print reporters because

 a. the broadcast interview should always make the subject of the story look good.

 b. the broadcast interview should never go into as much depth as a print interview.

 c. the broadcast interview is just part of the story, not the entire story.

 d. the broadcast interview is the story, not just part of the story.

Which of the following is NOT among the generally accepted ways of getting an interview subject to answer a difficult or embarrassing question?

 a. Sugar-coat the question by asking it in a less direct fashion.

 b. Ask interviewees what their supporters or critics might say about them.

 c. Threaten to turn your information over to police or prosecuting attorneys.

 d. Attribute the point of view implied in the question to a third party.

In regard to taking notes and recording interviews, most reporters recommend

 a. relying on one's memory rather than bothering with notes or recordings.

 b. recording the interview on tape or digitally and dispensing with note taking.

 c. taking notes of names, dates and amounts but relying on memory for direct quotations.

 d. taking detailed notes and recording the interview on tape or digitally.

Telephone interviews are best for

 a. talking to a person who is the target of an investigative story.

 b. conducting a long interview on a complicated topic.

 c. getting a few pieces of information quickly from a source.

 d. getting information from the subject of an in-depth personality profile.

A good way to get a reluctant source to speak is for the reporter to

 a. try to discover the reason for the source's anxiety and try to overcome it.

 b. threaten the source with embarrassment if she or he fails to respond.

 c. insist on the public's right to know whatever information the source has.

 d. trick the source into thinking the interview is about a completely innocuous topic.

One way of organizing questions for an interview is called the funnel, which arranges questions

 a. from the most general to the most specific.

 b. from the most personal to the most impersonal.

 c. from the most impersonal to the most personal.

 d. from the most specific to the most general.

When asking questions of interview subjects, reporters often

 a. read questions verbatim from a prepared list.

 b. organize their questions by topic to make it easier for the interview to move from one topic to the next.

 c. try to think up their questions during the interview so as to encourage spontaneity.

 d. randomize their questions so that the source will never know what will be asked next.

The best location for interviewing a source is

 a. in a restaurant.

 b. in a place where there is lots of background noise.

 c. in the reporter's newsroom.

 d. in the person's home or office.

Which of the following is NOT one of characteristics of a good question to ask during an interview?

 a. The question is likely to elicit an anecdote.

 b. The question encourages the subject to respond with a “yes” or “no.”

 c. The question starts a subject talking about her or his experiences.

 d. The question encourages the source to provide details.

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons reporters should perform background research before they interview a source?

 a. They will not embarrass themselves by appearing to the source to be ignorant of the topic.

 b. Sometimes they can write the story without having to waste time on an interview.

 c. They are more likely to have documented all relevant facts.

 d. They will not waste time by asking about issues that have already been widely publicized.

In deciding how many sources are enough for a particular story, the reporter must take into account these four factors:

 a. the complexity of the story, the ignorance of the readers, the minimum required by the editor and the degree of controversy raised by the topic.

 b. deadline pressures, the complexity of the story, the minimum required by the editor and the interest of the reader.

 c. deadline pressures, the expertise of the sources, the degree of controversy raised by a topic and the complexity of the topic.

 d. the expertise of the sources, the probable apathy of most readers, the complexity of the story and the reporter's own boredom with the topic.

In seeking the best available source to interview for a news story, the reporter primarily is looking for a person who

 a. has a knack for saying things that are controversial.

 b. will look good on video or in a photograph.

 c. knows enough about a topic to bluff his or her way through an interview.

 d. has relevant expertise or experience and is articulate.

Which of the following is NOT part of the planning process for interviews?

 a. Defining the purpose of the interview.

 b. Anticipating possible answers to questions.

 c. Devising ways to trick the interview subject.

 d. Identifying areas of inquiry.

When interviewing for a personality profile or other feature, reporters often

 a. conduct their interviews over the telephone.

 b. avoid visiting the subject so as not to prejudice their views of that person.

 c. complete their interviews in 30 minutes or less.

 d. spend many hours with the subject of the profile.

Which of the follow sets of information must a reporter conducting interviews for a news story about a crime or city council action discover?

 a. Facts and details, including dates, names, locations and costs.

 b. Relationships among the people or interests involved.

 c. Anecdotes that illuminate events or issues and make them more dramatic and understandable for readers or viewers.

 d. All of the others