News interview format

Here is a general format for a news interview:

Introduction

• Brief introduction of the interviewer and the topic of the interview
• Introduction of the guest or interviewee

Opening Questions

• Softball questions to help the guest feel comfortable and establish a rapport
• Questions that are easy to answer and help to set the tone for the interview

Example: "Good morning, I'm [Interviewer's Name] and welcome to [News Program]. Today, we have [Guest's Name] joining us to talk about [Topic]. Thank you for being here, [Guest's Name]. Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what brings you here today?"

In-Depth Questions

• Questions that delve deeper into the topic and encourage the guest to share more information
• Questions that challenge the guest's views or opinions

Example: "That's interesting. Can you elaborate on that point? How do you think [related issue] will impact [specific group or industry]?"

Follow-Up Questions

• Questions that follow up on previous answers or clarify any points that were unclear
• Questions that encourage the guest to provide more specific examples or details

Example: "I see. So, you're saying that [specific policy or action] is the main reason for [specific outcome]. Can you give us an example of how that has played out in practice?"

Challenging Questions

• Questions that challenge the guest's views or opinions
• Questions that encourage the guest to defend their position or provide evidence to support their claims

Example: "I understand that you're a strong supporter of [specific policy or action], but some critics have argued that it will have unintended consequences. How do you respond to those concerns?"

Closing Questions

• Questions that wrap up the interview and provide a final opportunity for the guest to share their thoughts or opinions
• Questions that encourage the guest to summarize their main points or reiterate their key message

Example: "Well, [Guest's Name], thank you for sharing your insights with us today. Before we go, can you summarize your main points and tell our viewers what they can expect to see in the future?"

Conclusion

• Brief summary of the interview and the main points discussed
• Final thoughts or comments from the interviewer

Example: "Well, that's all the time we have for today. Thank you again to [Guest's Name] for joining us. We hope you found this interview informative and thought-provoking. Join us next time on [News Program] for more in-depth reporting and analysis."