Up To Speed Journalism Careers Advice Tip #17 Be Loyal To Your Contacts
By Tom Hill, Course Director and Founder, Up To Speed Journalism
It is easy for journalists to forget the people who have given them great quotes once the story has been published. However, a good reporter spends time nurturing his contacts and will often see his loyalty rewarded.
Tip #17 Be Loyal To Your Contacts
One of the golden rules of investigative reporting is that a journalist should always protect her sources.
Journalists have gone to prison rather than reveal the identity of a contact who may have given them information that people in authority may have wished to have hushed up.
In 2005 Judith Miller of the New York Times was jailed for 85 days for refusing to reveal the sources for a report that Valerie Plame was a CIA agent, and a year later blogger Joshua Wolf served 226 days for refusing to hand over
a video of a demonstration.
In this country, Dr David Kelly was revealed as the source of reports about the Iraq war on the BBC despite the best efforts of reporters Andrew Gilligan and Susan Watts. Controversy still surrounds the way he was dealt with by journalists, and by the Government, before his death.
The National Union of Journalists and the Press Complaints Commission Code of Practice both defend the reporter’s right to protect his sources even though the law is more ambiguous.
However, loyalty to your contacts is a sound principle for all journalists. The professional relationship between you and the people who provide you with quotes and information for your stories is a very special one.
A Special Relationship
It is important that your contact has a clear idea of what you intend to publish about him on any given story. It is also important that he understands that you will be more loyal to your Editor than you are to him, and that there are times when you may have to publish articles he does not like.
Divided Loyalties
It is a common scene in newsrooms to see a rather crest-fallen special correspondent dreading the story that is about to appear on the front page, knowing that it means she will have to work hard to rebuild bridges.
There are also times when that same correspondent will receive a pat on the back, because one of her contacts has exclusively revealed the details of a great news story.
Five Tips For Nurturing Your Contacts
Remember To Say Thank You
At that point a good reporter will always remember, amidst the glory, to take time to call the person who has given them a scoop to say thanks.
Don’t Just Call Them When You Need Them
A good reporter will recognise the value of people who are useful contacts and will spend time developing a rapport with them. If you only call someone up when you want a quote from her, she will see you as just another journalist. However, if you remember to call her occasionally to let her know about stories which may be of interest, or to offer congratulations on a promotion, then your contact will see you in a different light.
Make A Point Of Meeting Them In Person
If you make a point of meeting your best contacts face to face, then he or she will have a chance of remembering your face, as well as your name.
Always Look Pleased To See Them
If you bump into him out of context, perhaps while you are at the supermarket, make a point of remembering his name and say “hello” politely with a smile on your face.
Help Them If You Can
Sometimes, a contact will be really keen to see something published that you, or your editor, may not regard as a particularly brilliant story. If you value that contact and you are satisfied you are not simply giving him a free commercial plug, then do your best to help him out.
Devotion to your contacts is something that takes time, effort and thought. However, when she calls you up with a story that will be a sensational front-page splash, you will realise that it was time, energy and thought well spent.
Related posts:
- Up To Speed Journalism Careers Advice Tip #18 Earn Your Contacts’ Trust By Tom Hill, Course Director and Founder, Up To Speed...
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Tags: journalism careers, journalism contacts, journalists protecting sources, loyalty, reporter's contacts, reporting tips, Up To Speed Journalism