The contemporary art of the 2013 interview is very far from the banal questionnaire. This process is fraught with quite a lot of pitfalls and requires knowledge of the intricacies of the profession. Although it is still believed that interviews are one of the easiest genres in modern journalism. It would seem that it is difficult: ask your vis-a-vis questions and listen to the answers. But not so simple.
There are many factors on which the interview will depend. This is the personality of the interviewer, circumstances, the degree of public resonance, etc. So how does Larry King differ from a provincial provincial journalist? Why does one do the best interviews, and the other releases cause sharp bouts of yawning and an overwhelming desire to switch the channel?
Experienced reporters know that 80% of the success of an interview is preparation. Awareness is the main weapon of modern media. In anticipation of meeting with the star, even professionals devote entire weeks to studying the biography and sayings of a person.
It must be remembered that the person asking the questions first of all represents the audience, not himself. This means the maximum possible objectivity and impartiality on his part. It is inadmissible to express one’s personal point of view, to agree or disagree with the speaker or to enter into polemic with him (if this is not provided for in the transmission format).
If you want to receive information, control your emotions. Questions, obviously carrying a negative message, force the interlocutor to "close" or provoke an aggressive reaction. The journalist should avoid the manifestation of personal feelings: delight in the presence of a celebrity, condemnation and squeamishness next to the offender. Critical thinking and the ability to doubt will help to avoid a situation when a journalist “looks into the mouth” of an authoritative guest during an interview and allows him to set the direction of their conversation.
The main purpose of the interview is to learn new and relevant facts, facts, opinions, forecasts. The more fresh interesting information becomes known during the conversation, the more successful it can be considered.
The interviewer should be honest with his audience and himself: excessive tact and the desire to avoid awkward questions are not qualities that will help to make a career in this area.
One of the most discerning and smart people from journalism, Robin Day, shared his code of ethics for the interview. In it, he clearly formulated the unspoken rules of his profession.
1) You can’t deceive your audience and follow the employer’s, channel’s or publication’s leadership, who ask to deliberately avoid sharp, interesting questions.
2) The journalist must honestly outline the general framework of the conversation for the interviewee and mention the topics that will be addressed to them.
3) Despite the tight time frame of the telecast, it is necessary to give the guest to speak out and express his opinion in its entirety, without taking the words out of context.
4) Do not use professional tricks to embarrass a guest or "substitute" him.
5) In the hands of a journalist is a serious weapon: public opinion. They should not be abused by imposing their own attitude and understanding of the issue. It is necessary to strive to ensure that each interview leaves the viewer room for his personal judgments.
