Comments on: Bartending and Reporting: 2 Jobs, 1 Skillset http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/ Everything About Money You Were Too Polite To Ask Sun, 19 May 2013 02:42:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: eemusings@twitter http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-30043 eemusings@twitter Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:15:19 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-30043 I've always thought journalism is an interesting cocktail of psychology, creativity and even a spot of sales. Also, I reckon people in other professions could learn a lot from us: http://nzmuse.com/2012/04/friday-five-journalism-lessons-for-all-of-us . I’ve always thought journalism is an interesting cocktail of psychology, creativity and even a spot of sales. Also, I reckon people in other professions could learn a lot from us: http://nzmuse.com/2012/04/friday-five-journalism-lessons-for-all-of-us .

]]> By: eemusings@twitter http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-30042 eemusings@twitter Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:14:04 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-30042 @Emma Peel It is a tough one. And you always want to start soft then ease into the hardball questions. I've also done stories that started out reasonably straightforward (but with no negative angle) but then editors wanted more conflict and an opposing viewpoint, even though it really wasn't needed in that particular kind of story (the problem with the 'he said she said' notion of balance). @Emma Peel It is a tough one. And you always want to start soft then ease into the hardball questions. I’ve also done stories that started out reasonably straightforward (but with no negative angle) but then editors wanted more conflict and an opposing viewpoint, even though it really wasn’t needed in that particular kind of story (the problem with the ‘he said she said’ notion of balance).

]]> By: eemusings@twitter http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-30041 eemusings@twitter Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:11:50 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-30041 @Derbel McDillet @stuffisthings Yup, the power of silence is amazing! @Derbel McDillet @stuffisthings Yup, the power of silence is amazing!

]]> By: Derbel McDillet http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-29949 Derbel McDillet Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:21:48 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-29949 @stuffisthings Therapists, too! Particularly if you're facilitating groups. "Respect the silence." @stuffisthings Therapists, too! Particularly if you’re facilitating groups. “Respect the silence.”

]]> By: Emma Peel http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-29943 Emma Peel Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:48:59 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-29943 "When reporting, it’s your job to agree with your source’s side of the story" -- as someone who works in media, I understand what you're getting at there, but I don't think I agree. (Ditto for "Let them think they're winning.") The reporter/source dance is a weird one, and everyone handles it differently, but nobody wants to be ambushed by a critical article. I see my duty as a reporter to ask the right questions, and as a professional person to be courteous, and that might extend to framing a harsh or accusatory question in a neutral way. But letting someone think you're writing a flattering profile that turns out to be a hit job, or not to let on that you're also interviewing their critics (or whatnot), verges on a dishonesty that's inappropriate for a profession built on the truth. “When reporting, it’s your job to agree with your source’s side of the story” — as someone who works in media, I understand what you’re getting at there, but I don’t think I agree. (Ditto for “Let them think they’re winning.”)

The reporter/source dance is a weird one, and everyone handles it differently, but nobody wants to be ambushed by a critical article. I see my duty as a reporter to ask the right questions, and as a professional person to be courteous, and that might extend to framing a harsh or accusatory question in a neutral way. But letting someone think you’re writing a flattering profile that turns out to be a hit job, or not to let on that you’re also interviewing their critics (or whatnot), verges on a dishonesty that’s inappropriate for a profession built on the truth.

]]> By: stuffisthings http://thebillfold.com/2013/01/bartending-and-reporting-2-jobs-1-skillset/#comment-29937 stuffisthings Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:54:54 +0000 http://thebillfold.com/?p=21211#comment-29937 Re: #1, my favorite reporting trick used to be just staying silent after someone finished their answer. After about a second, they would often keep talking to end the awkwardness and say something they didn't mean to. Also, talking to sources at boozy events is a great way to get dirt, even if off the record. Plus free booze! Re: #1, my favorite reporting trick used to be just staying silent after someone finished their answer. After about a second, they would often keep talking to end the awkwardness and say something they didn’t mean to.

Also, talking to sources at boozy events is a great way to get dirt, even if off the record. Plus free booze!

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