1What is online journalism? - Ayo Menulis FISIP UAJY

52 Journalism Online
interviews. ‘Have I got any killer questions? Are they concise
enough? Do I sound authoritative?’ Broadcast students also
worry about whether they sound sufficiently cool and
articulate.
Although these considerations are important, they are less than
half the story. You must also listen very carefully to all the
answers, otherwise your questions will be based only on your
prior research and even the most thorough research will not tell
you everything. The interviewee, perhaps under the pressure of
being interviewed, may reveal something new or say something
surprising or outrageous. You will not catch it, if you are not
listening. If you do catch it, be prepared to leave your bullet point
list to question further and challenge, if appropriate. You can
always return to your list for the final questions.
This may seem absurd. Of course, journalists listen to
interviewees. Well, not always. And when they do, do they listen
closely enough? The inexperienced can be so nervous about the
interview and grateful to have got it, they ask their first question
and then stop listening. Instead, they fill their heads with their
own thoughts. ‘How did that question sound? I hope it goes all
right. Can I get this all down? I wish my shorthand was better. Is
the camera getting this?’
They must train their mind to do three things at once – to
concentrate on getting the notes down, to check the bullet points
and to listen. If the interview is taped, there is even less excuse for
not listening carefully. This mental training may sound easier to
suggest than put into practice. But you do it every day. You are
doing it now, reading this sentence and wondering when I am
going to stop going on about interviews.
Ask a stupid question
Interviews are partly about gathering information, but they also
involve a personal dynamic between the journalist and the
interviewee. Who is in control? Who is directing the process?
Who has the ‘upper hand’?
Aspiring journalists need to find a balance, avoiding both
incompetence and over-confidence. It’s important not to