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Module 2: Skills for Radio Journalists
Radio Interviews: Preparing to Do an Interview
Conducting an interview is a fascinating, complex and uncertain art.
The interviewer never knows what might happen.
Preparation is key under such uncertain circumstances. Consider these
important questions when preparing to do an interview.
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Questions to think about |
| Who |
- Who will be interviewed?
- Who will be the interviewer?
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| Why |
- Why is this person being interviewed?
- Does this person have a story to tell?
- Is the interview part of a bigger story or report? Or is the
interview the story?
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| What |
- What is the subject or focus of the interview?
- What questions will be asked?
- What needs to be done to convince the interview subject to participate?
- What permission, if any, will be needed?
- What, if any, ethical issues might the interview raise? How will you deal with them?
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| Where |
- Will this interview be conducted on the street or in a studio
or someplace else (e.g., a public cafe or private home)?
- Is the situation likely to be dangerous?
- Will there be an audience?
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| When |
- When will the interview be conducted? Morning, afternoon, night?
- When will the interview be aired? Morning, afternoon, night?
- Will it be before, during or after an emotional or disturbing
event, a happy, exciting event or neither?
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| How |
- Will it be live or will it be taped and edited later?
- How will the interview subject be prepared for the interview?
- How much will the interview subject know about the focus of the interview beforehand?
- Will callers be allowed to ask questions?
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The next section, Tips for Interviews, gives additional guidance for preparing for interviews.
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