lesson 10 Politics

Politics

Political reporting

ž Simply informs people of what authority is doing

ž And informs government of what people want

ž One source is never source

Enrich your contacts

ž You should have contacts and sources

• Collect as many as politicians’ phone numbers

• Numbers of political bureau members of present parties

• Members of parliament members of every blocs

• Also have lists of the parliamentary committees and their chairmen

• Members of government, ministers and deputies

• Members of provincial and local councils

• Experts, analyzers, academics, former members of parliament and government

How to collect contacts

ž Record contacts of every politician your once interview

ž Never be afraid to ask a politician to give you a contact, but after you receive his opinion as well

ž At events, reach your self to secretaries to give you contacts

ž Make friendship with journalists who have contact lists

ž Look at official websites like parliament, local council; they sometimes provide contacts.

ž Register your contacts in digital and notebook

ž Always write full name, position and the number as well as other contacts such as email. sample

	Name	Post	Phone	Extra phone or email
1	Nuri al-Maliki	Iraqi Prime minister, leader of Dawa party	000000000	9999999999 maliki@mmm.com
2	Ayad Alawi	Former prime minister, leader of Iraqiya list	000000

Phone interview

ž While interviewing via phone, you have a very short time, so consider:

ž Have a list of already made questions

ž Choose right place to get clear voice

ž Make sure of credit, charge and memory

ž After he answers your call, make sure he is the right person. Some officials deliver their phones to aids when entering meetings.

ž Identify your self and tell the purpose of your interview

ž Be confident and also friendly as much as you can to skip difficulty of phone interviews

ž Record with your phone as soon as you start talking

ž If you are in calm place, switch it to louder

ž Make sure having paper and pen in hand

ž Never let questions and answers long. Interrupt when necessary

ž Thank him and tell him that you may call him again.

Note:

ž Many officials don’t welcome phone interviews

ž Often you get officials’ phones switched off or they don’t pick up

ž Try again later if you had time, like one hour, less or more. Officials don’t reply while in meeting

ž If you had other relevant numbers, don’t wait to call somebody again

ž Be aware when you call; you cannot call a PM and you know the parliament is on session

ž Try not to call during rest time