Politics
Political reporting
Simply informs people of what authority is doing
And informs government of what people want
One source is never source
Enrich your contacts
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
Record contacts of every politician your once interview
Never be afraid to ask a politician to give you a contact, but after you receive his opinion as well
At events, reach your self to secretaries to give you contacts
Make friendship with journalists who have contact lists
Look at official websites like parliament, local council; they sometimes provide contacts.
Register your contacts in digital and notebook
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
While interviewing via phone, you have a very short time, so consider:
Have a list of already made questions
Choose right place to get clear voice
Make sure of credit, charge and memory
After he answers your call, make sure he is the right person. Some officials deliver their phones to aids when entering meetings.
Identify your self and tell the purpose of your interview
Be confident and also friendly as much as you can to skip difficulty of phone interviews
Record with your phone as soon as you start talking
If you are in calm place, switch it to louder
Make sure having paper and pen in hand
Never let questions and answers long. Interrupt when necessary
Thank him and tell him that you may call him again.
Note:
Many officials don’t welcome phone interviews
Often you get officials’ phones switched off or they don’t pick up
Try again later if you had time, like one hour, less or more. Officials don’t reply while in meeting
If you had other relevant numbers, don’t wait to call somebody again
Be aware when you call; you cannot call a PM and you know the parliament is on session
Try not to call during rest time