3.1 Types of interviews and their purposes

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

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  The power of qualitative research: A guide to conducting interviews and focus groups - Research leap View original

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• 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