ABSTRACT
You’ve identified your story, you’ve decided where to go and who to see in order to get the information – now you’re all ready to get out there and nail that exclusive.
It’s not much good doing a brilliant interview if you can’t remember a word of it once you step outside the door. Some form of system is required to ensure you are able to remember what was said, in order to write the story, and also to be able to prove what was said in case of later dispute. A court hearing a defamation action, for instance, might require evidence that the interviewee said what you claimed. More routinely, your editor might also require such evidence. If the interview is for broadcast, then there will be some sort of tape, whether audio or video, and this may be sufficient for both the court and your editor, but good notes are still important and a full shorthand note is even better. Make sure original tapes, of contentious interviews at least, are kept for a minimum of a year. Broadcasters are obliged to keep tapes of transmissions, but not for long enough to protect against a defamation action.
