6.2 Investigative interview strategies

Investigative interviews are crucial for uncovering hidden truths. They require careful planning, strategic questioning, and a deep understanding of various interview types. From background chats to confrontational face-offs, journalists must navigate complex scenarios to get the facts.

Developing a solid investigative hypothesis is key to guiding the inquiry. Reporters use research methods like paper trails and snowball sampling to gather evidence. They must also navigate legal and ethical considerations, protecting sources while ensuring accurate, fair reporting.

Interview Types

Background and Confidentiality

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• Deep background interviews provide information to help understand context but cannot be directly quoted or attributed to the source
• Off-the-record interviews are not for publication and cannot be used in reporting without confirmation from another source
• On-the-record interviews can be quoted and attributed directly to the named source
• Confidential sources provide information on the condition that their identity remains secret
  • Journalists must protect the anonymity of confidential sources
  • Information from confidential sources often requires additional verification

Confrontational Interviews

• Confrontational interviews involve questioning sources about controversial or sensitive topics
  • Often used when sources are being evasive or dishonest
  • Requires careful preparation and evidence to support the line of questioning
• Journalists must maintain composure and professionalism even in tense confrontational interviews (political scandals, corporate wrongdoing)

Investigative Techniques

Research Methods

• Paper trail refers to following a series of documents to uncover information
  • Includes official records, financial statements, correspondence (emails, memos)
  • Helps establish timeline of events and actions taken
• Document analysis involves closely examining documents for inconsistencies, omissions or patterns
  • Comparing multiple versions of a document can reveal changes or redactions
  • Metadata like date stamps and author information provides additional context
• Snowball sampling starts with one source and expands outward as each source suggests additional people to interview
  • Helps uncover networks of people with knowledge of an issue
  • Particularly useful in investigating closed systems (government agencies, corporations)

Developing an Investigative Hypothesis

• An investigative hypothesis is a statement of what the journalist believes the investigation will reveal
  • Provides direction and focus for the investigation
  • Should be based on initial research and evolve as new information emerges
• A well-formed hypothesis is specific, stating the who, what, where, when and how of the story
  • Overly broad: "The mayor is corrupt"
  • Specific: "The mayor awarded city contracts to campaign donors between 2018-2020"
• Investigative hypotheses are not published but guide the journalist's inquiry and gathering of evidence

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Protecting Sources

• Whistleblowers are insiders who reveal wrongdoing within an organization
  • Whistleblower protection laws shield employees from retaliation for reporting misconduct
  • Journalists have a moral obligation to safeguard whistleblowers who come forward
• Shield laws in some states give journalists the right to refuse to disclose confidential sources
  • Journalists have gone to jail to protect source confidentiality (Judith Miller, New York Times)
  • In the absence of shield laws, journalists must weigh the ethics of promising confidentiality

Ethical Reporting Practices

• Journalists must verify information before publication to ensure accuracy
  • Relying on a single source risks spreading misinformation
  • Fairness requires giving subjects of investigative reports a chance to respond to allegations
• Hidden cameras or microphones should only be used if information cannot be obtained by other means
  • Undercover tactics can be seen as a breach of trust
  • Any decision to use covert methods must be justified by the public interest in the story
• Paying sources for information is considered unethical by most mainstream journalists
  • May incentivize sources to fabricate or sensationalize information for financial gain
  • Exceptions may be made for licensing photos or videos from eyewitnesses to major events