The Radio Interview

1
The Radio Interview

• Bianca Miglioretto
• Isis-International Manila, August 2006
• Source Ethnic Public Radio Training Program
• Public Broadcasting Association of
  Australia

2
Introduction

• An interview should aim at getting from the
  interviewee, in their own words, facts,
  opinions or reasons on a particular subject
  so listeners can form their own opinion.
• An Interview is not a discussion.
• What do you want out of the interview?
• How long should the interview be?
• One of the greatest assets of the interviewer
  is the ability to listen.
• You are representing the audience.

3
Different Types of Interviews

• The Informational Interview
• Involves a person who is an expert on a topic,
  experienced something, provides insight and
  facts.

4
The Informational Interview

• Involves a person who is an expert on a topic,
  experienced something, provides insight and
  facts.
• Preparation briefing should be detailed so that
  the interviewee can well prepare herself/
  himself.

5
The Interpretative/Opinion Interview

• We want the opinion, comment from the
  interviewee.

6
The Interpretative/Opionion Interview

• We want the opinion, comment from the
  interviewee.
• The facts are already known or provided by the
  interviewee.
• Interviewer needs to be well informed on the
  topic.
• Be alert to pick up anything new and to ask
  follow up questions.
• Preparation briefing rather short, don' t let
  interview know your questions.

7
The Emotional Interview

• This is the most sensitive kind of interview. The
  interviewer must use the utmost tact and respect.
  

8
The Emotional Interview

• This is the most sensitive kind of interview. The
  interviewer must use the utmost tact and respect.
• The media are often accused of intruding into
  private grief. Emotional interviews do not need
  to be a tragedy, it can also be supreme
  achievement.
• The preparation briefing is important to agree on
  areas to discuss.
• Protect survivors of sexual violence.
• Be prepared to interrupt the interview in case
  your interviewee starts crying to protect the
  integrity of your interviewee.

9
Vox Pops or Vox populi

• This means the voice of the people.

10
Vox Pops or Vox populi

• This means the voice of the people.
• You ask a number of people the same question, and
  edit the answers together.
• Vox pops are a useful way of testing the
  public wind on the issue.

11
Different Locations

• Studio
• The advantage
• The disadvantage

12
Studio

• The advantage You are on your home ground.
• The disadvantage Many interviewees are
  intimidated by a radio studio the equipment,
  recorders, etc.
• MAKE THE INTERVIEWEE FEELS COMFORTABLE AND AT
  EASE IN THE STUDIO.

13
On Site

• Home or workplace of the interviewee
  

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On Site

• Home or workplace of the interviewee
• She/he will feel more relaxed, at home.
• There might be unwanted sound and distraction on
  site.
• So make sure you get a quiet corner, with out
  disturbing sounds and interruptions.

15
Telephone Interview

• Advantages
• Disadvantages

16
Telephone Interview

• Advantages
• It is quick.
• The telephone bridges distances.
• Disadvantages
• The telephone is impersonal.
• The sound quality is often very bad.
• Keep telephone interviews short.

17
Preparation

• Research the topic.
• Identify the best person to interview.
• Look for resource women to challenge gender
  unbalance in Media.
• Know what you want to get from the Interviewee.
• Contact the person and set a date, time and
  location for the interview.
• The more time spent in preparation, the better
  the interview will be.

18
Different Types of Interviewees

• People who are used to being interviewed
• These are the people who have been through it all
  many times before.
• They will have something they want to talk about
  and often they are trained in it.

19
People who are used to being interviewed

• These are the people who have been through it all
  many times before.
• They will have something they want to talk about
  and often they are trained in it.
• Don't let them take over the control over the
  Interview.

20
People who don't want to be interviewed

21
People who don't want to be interviewed

• People who are in trouble or upset over
  something.
• Handled them with tact and politeness.
• Anyone has the right NOT to be interviewed.
• Be courteous at all times.
• You can also mention over the radio that a
  certain person did not want to give an interview
  on this topic.

22
The person in the street or community

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The person in the street or community

• These persons might be intimidated by the
  microphone.
• Put them at ease first. Discuss the topic with
  them in general terms.
• If you want the opinion of women go a way from
  the crowed where they might feel more comfortable
  to talk.
• Start with a throwaway question.

24
Friends or people we work together with

• The interview is of informational and educational
  nature.

25
Friends or people we work together with

• The interview is of informational and educational
  nature.
• Be careful, that the interview does not sound
  boring .
• Don't use insider language, acronyms and
  abbreviations.
• Put yourself into the position of the listener.
• Don't hesitate to ask critical questions, or
  raise arguments of the opposition.

26
Questions

• The better you prepare your questions, the better
  you can listen to the interview.
• Speak clearly, in short sentences that are easily
  understood by your listeners.
• Ask Open Questions using 5 W and 1 H.

27
Open Question 5W, 1 H

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Why?
• Where?
• How?

28
Questions Do's and Dont's

• Don't ask yes/no questions.
• Don't ask double barrelled questions.
• Don't ask either/or questions.
• Avoid the non-question question.
• Act as devil's advocate?

29
Questions

• Write down your questions in logical order.
• Highlight a few words. To remember them
  instantly.
• Your list of questions allows you to listen to
  what the interviewee and ask follow up questions.
  

30
Preparing the Equipment

• Check all your recording equipment before you
  leave.
• 
  

31
Preparing the Equipment

• Check all your recording equipment before you
  leave.
• In the studio do a test recording first.
• Do a battery check. Bring spare ones.
• Take an extra tape and avoid the longest-playing
  The 60-minute tape, is adequate.
• Test recording equipment on location before
  beginning the interview proper.

32
Using Equipment

• Always use the headphones.
• Avoid location with high levels of background
  sound.
• Keep microphone, 10 to 25 cm from the mouth of
  the person speaking.
• Use a microphone foam to avoid popping noise
  and wind interferences.
• Always label your tape, minidisc etc. Name of the
  person, date, location, event and topic.

33
VIII. Preparing the Interviewee

• Explain the context of the interview, listeners
  information and how long.

34
VIII. Preparing the Interviewee

• Explain the context of the interview, listeners
  information and how long.
• Clarify how to introduce your interviewee, name,
  position, etc.
• Also agree on the language.
• Tell that you want short, concise answers.
• Depending on the type of interview discuss
  questions and flow of the interview in detail.
• Do not let her/him give you any answers.

35
The Interview proper

• Sound interested in the topic.
• Look interested.
• Delivery of your questions forcefully.
• Watch your pronunciation.
• Ask to elaborate if you feel the point hasn't
  been explained sufficiently.
• Ask the question again if it has been answered.
  
• Be prepared to interrupt the interviewee if they
  move away from the point of the question or
  repeat themselves.

36
Non-Verbal Communication

• Do not say 'yes' or any other word that infers
  agreement with what your interviewee is saying .
• Use Non-Verbal Communication.
• Keep eye contact.
• Keep the microphone in your hands. It
  means control over the interview.
• Never let the interviewee have your list of
  questions.
• Watch the time.

37
Winding up the Interview

• Use a phrases such as finally, briefly, then
  ... or in summary ... , in a few words, what
  ... They indicate to your interviewee that time
  is running out.
• Live-interview End by thanking the interviewee
  for coming to the studio.
• To make sure you got all the relevant information
  from the interviewee. In a pre-recorded interview
  ask as last question, if there is anything she
  wanted to add?

38
After the Interview

• Check to make sure you have a recording.
• If you do need to do it again do it immediately.
• Never erase previous recordings.