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• Journalists can help victims and survivors tell their stories in ways that are constructive, and in ways that make for great journalism.
• Sometimes you can't avoid intruding upon someone in grief. If you can't postpone your contact, remember to be sensitive and respectful in your approach.
• "I'm sorry for your loss," is a good way to start the conversation.
• Don't assume a victim or family member won't want to talk; often they are eager to share their story and memories with a journalist.
• If someone doesn't want to talk to you, be respectful and polite. And don't forget to leave your business card; at some point, the person may decide to talk to a reporter, and they will likely call the one that made the best impression.
• Make sure the person understands the terms of the interview. Tell them: "This is an interview for a story I'm writing. Your quotes will appear in the newspaper along with your name." Remind them of the terms periodically.
• Pay attention to your own emotions during the interview and let your reactions inform your reporting (while remaining professional). If you find something emotionally stirring, chances are readers will, too.
Dart Center Resources
• "The worst mistake a reporter can do is to talk too much," write Joe Hight and Frank Smyth in "Interviewing," Chapter 1 of "Tragedies & Journalists: A Guide for More Effective Coverage."
• "Tips on Interviewing," part four of the Dart Center's "Journalism & Trauma" self-study unit. "Because of the nature of news, it is likely that a journalist will have to interview trauma victims in the course of his or her work."
• "The Wall Effect in Covering Victims," by Joe Hight. "Most journalists face an inevitability in their
careers," Hight writes. "They must cover a tragedy and interview people who are
pinned against a wall of grief."
Links & Sources
• "Interviewing: The Ignored Skill," by Bob Steele, Poynter Online.
• "Loosening Lips: The Art of the Interview," by Eric Nalder of the San Jose Mercury News.
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