Interviews are the lifeblood of journalism, providing essential information and perspectives. From quick news chats to in-depth profiles, journalists use various interview types to gather facts, explore issues, and tell compelling stories.
Choosing the right interview approach is crucial for effective reporting. Whether it's a rapid-fire news interview or a probing investigative conversation, journalists must adapt their techniques to fit the story, subject, and audience needs.
Interview Types in Journalism
News Interviews
- Conducted to gather information and facts about a current event, issue, or story
- Typically short, focused, and aim to provide the audience with the most important details
- Often involve direct, specific questions (Who, what, when, where, why)
- Require the interviewer to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the topic
- Examples: Interviewing a witness to a crime, a politician about a new policy, or a expert about a breaking news event
Profile Interviews
- Focus on a specific person, often a public figure or someone with an interesting story
- Goal is to provide an in-depth look at the subject's life, experiences, and perspectives
- Often involve a mix of prepared and spontaneous questions
- Require the interviewer to establish a rapport with the subject
- Examples: Interviewing a celebrity about their career, a survivor of a traumatic event, or a community leader about their work
Feature Interviews
- More extensive and explore a particular topic, trend, or issue in greater depth
- Often involve multiple sources and aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter
- Require the interviewer to have a deep understanding of the subject and ask probing, open-ended questions
- May involve additional research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and context
- Examples: Interviewing multiple experts about a complex social issue, exploring a cultural trend through various perspectives, or investigating a historical event
Opinion Interviews
- Seek to gather the subject's thoughts, beliefs, and views on a specific topic
- Often used in opinion pieces, editorials, or to provide commentary on current events
- Require the interviewer to ask questions that encourage the subject to express their opinions
- Interviewer must be prepared to challenge or follow up on the subject's responses
- Examples: Interviewing a political pundit about an election, an activist about a controversial issue, or a thought leader about a societal trend
Investigative Interviews
- Conducted as part of an in-depth investigation into a particular issue or story
- Aim to uncover new information, expose wrongdoing, or shed light on a complex topic
- Require the interviewer to be persistent, skeptical, and prepared to ask tough, probing questions
- May involve confidential sources, leaked documents, or other sensitive information
- Examples: Interviewing whistleblowers about corporate misconduct, investigating government corruption, or exposing human rights abuses
Characteristics of Interview Types
Goals and Objectives
- News interviews aim to gather the most important facts and details about a current event or story
- Profile interviews provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject's life, experiences, and perspectives
- Feature interviews explore a topic, trend, or issue from multiple angles and provide in-depth insights
- Opinion interviews focus on gathering the subject's thoughts, beliefs, and views on a specific topic
- Investigative interviews uncover new information, expose wrongdoing, or shed light on a complex topic
Interviewer Preparation and Approach
- News interviews require the interviewer to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the topic
- Profile interviews involve a mix of prepared and spontaneous questions and require establishing rapport
- Feature interviews demand a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to ask probing questions
- Opinion interviews require questions that encourage the subject to express their opinions and challenge their responses
- Investigative interviews necessitate persistence, skepticism, and the willingness to ask tough questions
Length and Depth of Coverage
- News interviews are typically short and focused on the most important details
- Profile interviews are more in-depth and provide a comprehensive look at the subject's life and experiences
- Feature interviews are extensive and explore a topic from multiple angles, often involving multiple sources
- Opinion interviews vary in length depending on the format and purpose, but focus on the subject's views
- Investigative interviews may be lengthy and involve extensive research and fact-checking
Choosing the Right Interview
Evaluating the Story and Information Needs
- Consider the nature of the story and the information you hope to gather
- Determine if it's a breaking news event requiring quick, factual information or a complex issue demanding in-depth exploration
- Assess the desired outcome of the interview and the type of content you hope to produce (inform, explain, investigate, persuade)
Assessing the Subject and Their Role
- Evaluate the subject of the interview and their role in the story
- Determine if it's a public figure warranting a profile, an expert providing insights, or a witness offering a firsthand account
- Consider the subject's availability, willingness to participate, and potential biases or conflicts of interest
Considering Time and Resource Constraints
- Assess the time and resources available for the interview and the story
- Some interview types (investigative, feature) may require more time and preparation than others
- Determine if multiple interviews or sources are needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic
- Balance the depth and breadth of coverage with the practical constraints of the assignment
Ethics of Interviewing
Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency
- Conduct all interviews with honesty, integrity, and respect for the subject's rights and privacy
- Be transparent about your intentions and avoid deception or misrepresentation
- Clearly identify yourself as a journalist and explain the purpose and scope of the interview
- Obtain informed consent from the subject and respect their right to decline or end the interview
Accuracy, Fairness, and Balance
- Strive for accuracy, fairness, and balance in your reporting, even under tight deadlines or high-pressure situations
- Verify information provided by the subject and seek additional sources or perspectives if necessary
- Be mindful of the potential impact of your reporting on the subject and their loved ones, especially in sensitive situations
- Provide context and background information to help the audience understand the significance of the story
Protecting Sources and Navigating Legal Challenges
- Be prepared to protect confidential sources and navigate legal and ethical challenges, particularly in investigative interviews
- Understand your rights and responsibilities as a journalist, including shield laws and ethical guidelines
- Consult with editors, legal experts, or professional organizations when facing difficult ethical decisions
- Be willing to stand by your reporting and defend your work if challenged or criticized