You just say no, journalists aren’t the police, they don’t have any special powers, they’re just regular people working for a news organisation. It’s important to query your reasons for declining.
Don’t jump to the conclusion that it’s because you have done something wrong (unless you have), the vast majority of interview requests are from journalists looking for insight, help and expertise, not combat.
Journalists don’t like to give questions in advance. This isn’t because they want to catch you out.
In live TV news, they’re unlikely to give you a list of questions because they can be changed by the presenter at the last moment. This could leave you stumped or confused if you’d prepared your answers in advance.
The vast majority of TV news interviews aren’t about giving you a hard time, catching you out or making you look foolish. It’s more common for journalists to want to hear your opinion and expertise. Prepare five things to say and expect to say three of them. Say your best stuff first. Make sure you include a couple of interesting facts, share your comments and opinions on the subject being discussed and make sure you have some good examples, stories or brief anecdotes to bring your facts and opinions to life.
You’ll be expected to speak on live television. You’ll need to be concise and to the point and make your best points first in a compelling way. Prepare for five questions and expect to answer three. Offer a few facts, comments, opinions and examples on your subject. Your airtime is limited so don’t waste it with waffle, like “That’s a great question” or “I’m so pleased you asked me that.” Avoid yes-no answers and be as expansive as possible in the limited time. Remember, an interview is about question-and-answer turn-taking so don’t ramble on, make your point and wait for the next question.
Media TrainingBook a no-obligation discovery callWhat is the purpose of a TV interview? Journalists are looking to report the news and explain why it’s happened to their audience. They need non-journalists like you to help them discuss, explain and comment on news stories and current affairs. They also need to fill airtime. News organisations will have their own preferences and …
How to prepare for your first TV interview. Don’t panic. A TV news appearance is an amazing opportunity to share your insight, knowledge and expertise.
Determine the Schedule: Find out when the interview will take place to gauge your preparation time.
Research the Show: Identify which show or news outlet has invited you. Watch a few episodes to understand its interview duration, question style, tone, and format.
Why do reporters shout questions?
In April 2002, I was a reporter for BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat in the UK. On assignment at Manchester airport, I shouted a question at Manchester United’s star goal scorer, David Beckham.
I shouted, “David, does it hurt?”