{"id":1393,"date":"2024-04-19T09:07:59","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T01:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlesray-author.com\/?p=1393"},"modified":"2024-04-19T09:07:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T01:07:59","slug":"exploring-ethical-journalism-practices-an-interview-with-ambassador-charles-ray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/charlesray-author.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/19\/exploring-ethical-journalism-practices-an-interview-with-ambassador-charles-ray\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Ethical Journalism Practices: An Interview with Ambassador Charles Ray"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mfundo Msimango, HBCU-ACC Secretary | 10 April 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nAmbassador Charles Ray was a guest speaker to
\nthe HBCU-Africa Correspondents Corps. Prior
\nto his retirement from the foreign service, he
\nserved as the U.S. ambassador to Cambodia and
\nZimbabwe.<\/p>\n

What are the best ways for student journalists to approach
\nsenior government officials with interview requests?<\/p>\n

The best way to approach senior government officials is to find the email address of the agency protocol office and query them with your name, affiliation, and the reason you wish to interview the official. For retired officials, it\u2019s a bit more difficult unless you know what organizations they might be affiliated with. In my case, for example, I am chair of the Africa
\nProgram of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and can be contacted by completing the Press Contact form [on its website]. It\u2019s helpful if you are as detailed as possible in your query regarding the specific areas you have questions about.<\/p>\n

What are the expectations that senior government officials
\nhave of student journalists when they are conducting
\ninterviews? Are they different from those of seasoned
\njournalists?<\/p>\n

Most senior officials will not expect student journalists to be as savvy as a seasoned journalist, but they will nonetheless expect the same degree of professionalism, e.g., understanding the rules on things like off the record, not for attribution, etc. They will also expect professional demeanor and conduct, such as being properly dressed, being on time, etc.<\/p>\n

What are the ethical and moral challenges that student
\njournalists might encounter when interviewing senior
\ngovernment officials? How should they mitigate them?<\/p>\n

The challenges, really, are the same that journalists face when interviewing any subject. Being honest with your questions and intent (there are some minor exceptions when doing investigative pieces), and being honest about what you plan to write. Also, honoring commitments. For example, if you\u2019re told something \u2018off the record,\u2019 to help you better understand a situation, you must not use that information in your article.<\/p>\n

How should a student journalist prepare to conduct a one-on-one interview with a senior government official on national security or foreign policy? Are there any tricks of the trade?<\/p>\n

Prepare your questions well in advance. Many officials will, in fact, ask for the questions in advance of the interview date, so they can be prepared with the appropriate information, get the required clearances and approvals, etc. Have an idea of how you plan to write your article,\u00a0 and prepare your questions accordingly. If during the interview, an answer causes you to think of a question that wasn\u2019t on your list, explain that and ask it, keeping in mind
\nthat the interviewee is under no obligation to answer. As a student journalist, my advice is to avoid \u2018gotcha\u2019 questions, no matter how tempting it might be. This is a good way to get an interview terminated and your name flagged as someone not to talk to in the future. Tricks of the trade? Listen actively and take good notes. If you wish to record, get the interviewee\u2019s okay in advance. If you\u2019re told no recording devices\u2014which is often the case in some government offices\u2014honor that restriction, and use your mind and a sharp pencil.
\nDon\u2019t be afraid to ask for a repeat of anything you didn\u2019t catch clearly, to make sure you get it right.<\/p>\n

There are a lot of competing needs when it comes to
\nconducting interviews with senior government officials (e.g.,
\nprivacy; security; transparency; openness; truthfulness). How
\nshould student journalists balance those needs?<\/p>\n

The same way you would with a relative or friend, or any other person. In interviews with government officials, you\u2019ll be told if something impinges on security, so honor that, as there are legal implications to dealing with classified or sensitive information. Everyone is entitled to personal privacy, even public officials to a degree (although less than a private citizen). Be solicitous of your interviewee\u2019s privacy and you\u2019ll earn their respect and gratitude. As to transparency, openness, and truthfulness, these are things that you, as a journalist, should always be.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mfundo Msimango, HBCU-ACC Secretary | 10 April 2023 Ambassador Charles Ray was a guest speaker to the HBCU-Africa Correspondents Corps. Prior to his retirement from the foreign service, he served as the U.S. ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. What are the best ways for student journalists to approach senior government officials with interview requests? The … <\/p>\n

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