By Jeanne Erdmann, AHCJ board member and freelance committee chair
Whether you are reporting on a fast-turnaround news story or a juicy feature, gathering the information you need to tell your story can mean finding sources to interview, searching the medical literature, and digging through archives, databases, or social media on deadline. Participants from our May 19 Lunch and Learn dug into reporting and sourcing stories.
Here are some tips from the session:
Asking for interviews
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Over-reporting is an issue all of us face. One rule of thumb is to include one source per 300-400 words.
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When emailing a potential source, mention that you are familiar with or are following their work. Include a bit about yourself and send any links to relevant stories. Try flattery, perhaps saying, “This story needs your voice.” Mention what is in it for them — say, for instance, “It is a chance to clarify why your work is so important” or “It is a chance to say why a particular study is flawed.”
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If your email requests go unanswered, try re-forwarding your original email or start with a fresh email. And after a few days, don’t be afraid to move on, especially as deadlines near.
Dealing with PR people
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Some of us ignore them and reach out to scientists and health experts directly.
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Remember, PR folks can be good sources of stories and quickly help access people you need to reach.
Sources who want to see copy
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Researchers are used to approving stories and press releases from university press offices. The same goes for professional member organizations. Just say that your contract doesn’t allow you to share copy ahead of time.
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You can reassure them that if you are uncertain about anything they have said, you will follow up for clarification.
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You can try sending sentences or short paragraphs if the topic is complicated and you have to compress a lot of the science.
Working with vulnerable sources
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Be honest. Tell them upfront you will be intrusive and will be following up on many details.
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Consider telling them, “There is nothing in this for you, but you will help others understand this issue.”
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Give them the choice to opt out at any time.
Diversifying sources
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Watch for coastal bias — remember, the Midwest has plenty of experts, too.
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Contact professional associations.
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Use Zoom and Skype to reach outside of the US borders.
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The Open Notebook has many DEI resources, from finding diverse sources to tracking diversity in your own stories.
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Check out NPR’s Diverse Source Database.
Sources for publications
Here are some places to find articles on various topics:
Sign up for alerts to help keep you current in a particular field.
And finally, AHCJ has a wealth of resources that can help with your reporting.
