Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite newspaper? How do they decide which stories to cover? How do they find interview subjects? And when they find someone to interview, what questions do they ask?
If you are interested in getting a behind-the-scenes look at a newspaper, asking a journalist can help you.
20 Newspaper questions to ask:
- How does your newspaper choose which stories to pursue?
- How do you decide which angle to take on a particular story?
- How do you find sources for your stories?
- What are your guidelines for interviewing sources?
- How do you verify the accuracy of the information from your sources?
- How does your newspaper handle corrections or retractions?
- How much editorial control do reporters have over their stories?
- How does your newspaper choose which stories make the front page?
- What criteria do you use to decide which photos to use for a particular story?
- Do you have guidelines for how reporters should interact with readers on social media?
- Does your newspaper have guidelines for anonymous sources?
- Does your newspaper have restrictions on accepting advertising dollars?
- What role does the editorial board play in deciding which topics to cover and how to cover them?
- Do you have ethical guidelines for reporters when it comes to conflicts of interest?
- Does your newspaper have any standards for sourcing opinion pieces or columns?
- Do you require fact-checking for opinion pieces or columns before they are published?
- How much leeway do reporters have when interpreting data from studies or surveys?
- How are decisions made about reporting breaking news?
- What factors do you consider when determining whether or not to send reporters into dangerous situations?
- Does your newspaper have guidelines for using unnamed sources in breaking news stories?
43 Questions to ask about the journalist:
- How did you become interested in journalism?
- What’s your favorite thing about working as a journalist?
- What was the last story you worked on?
- What do you think makes a good story?
- What do you think is the most important function of journalism?
- How do you decide which stories to pursue?
- How do you think the Internet has changed journalism?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge facing journalism today?
- What do you think is the future of journalism?
- How do you deal with criticism?
- What are your journalistic values?
- How do you maintain objectivity in your work?
- What ethical considerations must journalists make when pursuing a story?
- Can you give me an example where you had to make an ethical decision in your work?
- Have you ever been involved in a legal case that involved your work as a journalist? Can you tell me about that experience?
- Do you have any advice for aspiring journalists?
- Who are some of your journalistic role models?
- Do you have any funny or memorable moments from your time as a journalist that you can share?
- What do you think is the most important role of a journalist?
- What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful journalist?
- How do you approach investigative journalism?
- What are your thoughts on objectivity in journalism?
- How do you manage your time?
- What do you think distinguishes your work from that of other journalists?
- What do you think is the most important thing a journalist should know?
- What are the biggest challenges a journalist faces today?
- What do you think is the most important task of the media?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the media today?
- How do you think the media will change in the future?
- What do you think is the most important story of our time?
- What do you think is the most important story that is not being covered enough?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge in your work?
- What’s been your most memorable experience as a journalist?
- Who is your favorite interviewee and why?
- What was your favorite story to cover and why?
- What do you think is the biggest misconception about journalists?
- What are your thoughts on freedom of the press and journalistic ethics?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the news media today?
- Do you see digital media as a threat or an opportunity for the news industry?
- What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a journalist?
- What do you think sets your publication apart from others?
- What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry?
- Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your work as a journalist or about journalism in general?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5ws in a newspaper article?
A newspaper article usually consists of five elements: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. These five elements are referred to as the 5ws. The 5ws help ensures that readers get all the information they need about a story. By including all the relevant details, readers can get a clear picture of what happened and why it is important.
What makes a good journalist?
A good journalist can capture the essence of a story and convey it clearly and concisely. They have a strong sense of ethics and are always willing to question authority. They work diligently to get the facts straight and present them accurately. A good journalist is unbiased and always strives to report fairly.
What makes a good media release?
A good media release is clear, concise, and professional. It contains all the relevant information journalists need to write a story without being overly wordy or promotional. It’s also important that the press release is properly formatted and includes the right contact information for journalists who may want to follow up.
What are the most important journalistic values?
The most important journalistic values are truth, accuracy, impartiality, and integrity. Journalists must always strive to tell the truth, report accurately, and present all sides of a story impartially. Journalists must also maintain their integrity by not allowing their personal bias to influence their reporting.
Conclusion
Journalism is an important field that plays an important role in society by holding those in power accountable and informing the public about what is happening in their communities and the world.
If you are considering a career in journalism or are just curious about what it’s like to be a journalist, these questions will give you a better understanding of the profession and what it entails.
