One of the questions journalists frequently get asked is how we get people to tell us things, especially the things it would be in their best interest not to disclose. The answer is: “We ask.”
Most people will want to talk to you when you tell them you are doing a story, even if they shouldn’t. And asking simple, open-ended questions is by far the easiest way to gather information.
Remember this: Most people most of the time don’t want to lie.
But some people do.
So how do you tell when someone is lying? Well, one way is to ask questions about minor details of the person’s life. And if you’ve done your homework you already know the answers to those types of questions.
Add them into the mix, because they should be easy for your subject to answer as long as he or she is being honest. But often people will lie about these little things because they’re trying to cover up bigger things.
One lie leads to another.
All of this requires a certain amount of discipline on the journalist’s part. You also have to avoid falling into the trap of lying yourself. When I conduct journalism ethics seminars, one issue that often comes up is whether it is okay to misrepresent yourself in order to get a story.
In cases where there is no alternative, this is sometimes necessary. Working undercover, some journalists have uncovered huge scandals, though that comes with an ethical cost.
It’s not like we have to be squeaky-clean in everything do as journalists — far from it — but if your story eventually ends up in court you have to be able to look the judge and jury in the eye and say you believe the information you gathered is accurate and that you can justify the methods you used to produce it.
So as long as you can do that, you should be fine.
HEADLINES:
Trump and Xi appear intent on keeping deep differences over Iran war from overshadowing China summit (AP)
Trump heads to China in search of wins. How the Iran war could interfere. (Yahoo)
What Middle Powers Fear About the Trump-Xi Summit (NYT)
As Trump goes to China, what do Americans say about tariffs, Iran and world standing? (NPR)
The Iran war is hitting home as US inflation has its biggest jump in three years (AP)
With the US-Iran ceasefire on the brink of collapse, Washington hit Tehran with fresh sanctions targeting companies accused of helping ship oil to China (Reuters)
U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran Retains Substantial Missile Capabilities (NYT)
US in closely guarded talks to open new bases in Greenland (BBC)
Most deportees under Trump are men, leaving women to care for families alone (WP)
FDA chief to depart after Trump signed off on ousting him (CNN)
As Republicans carve up Black districts, Democrats pivot to a new midterm message (Politico)
Hegseth’s latest attack on Kelly underlines alarm over US weapons stockpiles (The Hill)
A California billionaire is testing voters’ aversion to the ultrarich (WP)
Kennedy Is Driving a Vast Inquiry Into Vaccines, Despite His Public Silence (NYT)
Ukraine nears deal with Pentagon to test drones in US (FT)
At a glance: Starmer grapples with leadership crisis (BBC)
In Elon Musk trial, nobody has more to lose than OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (ABC)
Sam Altman testimony: Musk wanted ‘total control’ of OpenAI to pass to his children (BI)
AI-assisted hacking is already here, Google warns (Axios)
AI coders are carrying half-open laptops through airports, offices, and ice rinks (BI)
China Seeks A.I. Independence, Weakening Trump’s Leverage (NYT)
‘Sidewalk Closed’ Sign Leaves Pedestrians Frightened, Wandering Helplessly (Onion)
No comments:
Post a Comment