ABSTRACT
Many reporters have been to numerous press conferences with the lurker—the one who sits back and lets others do the heavy lifting of developing and asking questions. For many journalistic stories, information will come from on-the-spot or pre-planned one-on-one interviews. But in other articles, it might come in other pre-set formats, such as speeches, press conference and meetings. Press conferences can be both the easiest and hardest reporting someone can do. Unlike sports, in which a press conference provides subject availability, a press conference is usually intended to convey a set agenda of information. Just like more conventional interviews, research into the source or the topic of the press conference will help the reporter to develop questions. The communal nature of press conferences means getting an exclusive story is tough, but reporters questions and the angle he/she pick for the story will help he/she craft a piece that may be different from all other coverage.
