How to Focus, Interview, and Get the Story Told

As multimedia, backpack, superstar, cowabunga journalists, we have the privilege of telling stories in an array of formats. Even though having a firm grasp of digital imaging and video/audio editing is important in our field, we must not lose track of our ubiquitous purpose, to tell a thoroughly reported and narrowly focused story. Every issue has many themes that can be pursued from one angle or another. Instead of examining many of these themes, journalists should dedicate an entire story on one important topic, and cover elements within that theme. As Regina McCombs states, having a focus “keeps your story clear.”

A year and a half ago, I worked on a radio series on underage drinking. I decided to focus my series on one theme: STRIPES, a safe alternative to drinking and driving offered to students at MU. As I worked on the story, I realized there were many other elements that should be covered such as the laws of underage drinking, solutions for students battling alcoholism, and advertising in the media. By the time I was done outlining my series, I found the appropriate structure that could raise awareness about underage drinking to all people, not just minors.

One of the most laborious challenges for a journalist is leveling on an equal playing field with the interviewee. A lot of people are intimidated when a tape recorder or a camera is set up that the information they would normally give to a non-journalist can be subconsciously censored. The Poynter article presents a fine list of helpful interview suggestions so that the interviewee feels like a person and not a subject for a story. One of my personal techniques is to start an interview with questions not relevant to the topic at hand. Granted this may not be an option if there is minimal interview time, but it can be interesting to ask someone about their life, their loves, and any additional information they have locked up that they may want to share. Asking these sort of questions can lead to additional information that can strengthen the story and help the person being interviewed forget that they are being interviewed. Every journalist should investing an interest in a person for reasons other than the completion of a story.

During the past few weeks, I have embarked on an exciting journey with interviewing. I am currently working on a radio series where I ride the Columbia transit and talk to people…that’s it. I am compiling stories from strangers, and creating a four-week series with each episode centering around a theme that is relevant to a collection of interviews. For the first time ever, I am approaching people with absolutely no idea of what they are going to talk about. I have met some fascinating people over the past month anxious to be given an open outlet to speak. Additionally, I have found that people will treat you the way you treat them. Some of the individuals I have interviewed come off as intimidating or nurturing, but what binds all of them together is that they are human beings, nothing more and nothing less. Keeping this in mind, I have been able to connect with these people, and ask some of the most personal questions that they have had no problem answering. Sure there will be times when someone will not dive deeper into an issue, but it is alright to ask for more information. As a journalist, it is important to garner as much information as possible so that the end story will be rich in quality and content. The greatest mistake in life is not trying, and this same principle applies to journalism.


A 4802 Extra

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