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