1What is online journalism? - Ayo Menulis FISIP UAJY

The core journalism 51
directly on what the politician’s meeting is about. The ‘general’ is
your knowledge of current affairs, including any background to
the politician’s meeting. The latter is often a lifeline – hence, the
old adage that the journalist should know a little about a lot.
This general research should be effortless for journalists. Their
interest in information, communication and what is going on in the
world should ensure that they are fully briefed on current affairs.
Sadly, this is often not the case.
Plan an interview structure
As you research, a possible structure and direction for the
interview will begin to emerge. Do not fight this inclination. It is
not cramping your style. It will enhance it.
Start by identifying key areas for the interview. Then boil these
down to key points. Print them on a piece of paper as bullet points.
Never write down your questions verbatim in a numbered list. If
you do, you will spend the interview with your head buried in your
notepad, reading instead of writing and listening. You will also
become inflexible, asking a question simply because it is the next
one on your list, even though it may have been unexpectedly dealt
with by a previous answer.
You should aim to establish a relationship with your interviewee.
That may be as an equal, confidante, counsellor or even
confessor. In face-to-face interviews, this requires firm eye contact
and positive body language. You can do neither if you are preoccupied,
trying to read your next question and wondering if it is
still appropriate.
If you put your key points down as bullets, in large type, with
spaces between them, you can read them at a glance, keep track
of the content and direction of the interview but also be free to
depart this loose ‘script’ at a moment’s notice. Indeed, you may
want to do that, if you are exercising the most important of your
senses for successful interviews – if you are listening.
Listening skills
Nervous student journalists understandably focus much of their
attention on what they are saying when they do their first