A recent analysis by the Pew Research Center found the number of experienced TV producers, reporters, editors and photographers plummeted 42% between 2008 and 2018. As more newsrooms lay off reporters, there’s bound to be an increase in younger and less experienced journalists in the newsroom.
I don’t want to put any journalist — younger or older — in a box. This is a high-level observation intended to reinforce why reporters need to be approached individually and based on their experience. Understanding people is an art, not a science.
That said, generally speaking, the higher up you get up in journalism, the more likely you will find stronger personalities. Many of these journalists like to discover the story on their own. They don’t like to be told what to do, especially if they detect you’re trying to influence their coverage. Experienced journalists take their public responsibility seriously.
I always tell my clients that experienced reporters will drive the interview. Even if they start with a softball question and let you talk, more than likely, they're still following the storyline. And if they get lost in the details, they're more likely to ask pointed questions that bring the story back in.
The complexity of storylines can vary drastically. If a story gets too complex, it’s easy to lose the more inexperienced reporter. This is why you must stay completely focused on the story that was pitched. Don’t confuse reporters with additional information or sidebar stories that can take their attention off the current narrative.
