A sign of a good journalist is one who can create good primary source information- you can often gauge their effectiveness by looking at the number of blogs that link to them. Technorati is built on this principle. “Secondary source journalism” (opinions, reworking information to analyze it from other angles) is becoming the territory of bloggers. To be honest, I like it better this way- journalists are hired and fired by the owners of the journal, while bloggers have to attract readers based on what they say. It’s a more democratic way of reading

The wit of the staircase. It often refers to the perfect witty response you think up after the conversation or argument has ended.

The quote you WISH you’d provided the interviewer.

I believe Esprit d’escalier is why I became a writer. In conversations, I NEVER spoke just like a baronness.

More like Mel Tillis. Not physically stuttering, but mentally.

Given a day or two of editing though, I might come across halfway intelligent. Even witty.

Why should the interviewer be the only one able to call upon E d’e? Why not the interviewee?

I recall interviewing Phil Bronstein one time. He nailed me with one particular deflection. He said, “You’ve obviously had loads of time to think about that question. I couldn’t possibly answer it in 30 seconds when you hit me with it out of the blue,” or words to that effect.

Bravo, Phil!

As a journalist, I’d fight–kicking and screaming–any idea of ending the interview. Not only is it often more honest, it’s also a way to learn something you didn’t know, which really should be the point of doing the interview in the first place. Sometimes the interviewee will mention a topic or a tangential thought that takes the story in a whole new direction. That won’t happen with email.

As a PR professional, I’ve prepped people for, sat in on, and been the interviewee for more interviews than I can remember…and whenever I’ve seen the story the next day, and it hasn’t really been accurate, it’s been largely the fault of the interviewee, not the interviewer.

Far too many people go into news interviews entirely unprepared. They think an interview is the same as a conversation, and just ramble on as if they were Newt Gingrich’s mom talking to Connie Chung.

With good prep, and an understanding of what reporters need and how to communicate clearly and accurately, I’ve rarely seen an interview result in anything but an accurate story. This is more often true with the writers for the big outlets–NY Times, for instance–but even the little papers and small-town TV stations get it right if the person doing the talking knows how to communicate.

I’m convinced wars have begun because of inept communication. It’s no surprise, then, that unprofessional communicators can screw up an interview.

I have been interviewed various times, as has my partner. She has been in print a long time and I was in print and on radio so both of us have an “inside” perspective as well. So, with minor dismay we note that neither of us has been quoted accurately at any time.

These were facts in terms of background bio data rather than off the cuff statements about changing or new situations. My old bio information doesn’t change from year to year. So I have no doubts about providing consistent information. Yet the quantity of wrong information printed was astounding to me each time.

No one was ever trying to nail either of us. In my case I’ve been interviewed for my photographic art work. Standard, non-offensive, descriptive pieces. Nothing harmful or otherwise heat seeking. Also, nothing that was worth correcting in terms of a need to get the facts straight. In one case the reporter managed to add ten years employment at a newspaper where I spent two years, among other items. That was kind off large but then I’m not putting on my resume those ten years the interviewer added.

The point of this is that in the few interviews I have had, and those of my partner, the percentage of wrong information in just a few paragraphs is illuminating as well as dismaying. Also, hard to forget. Everytime I read an interview, or other story, I remember my own experiences on the receiving end.