Did an N&O journalist contact you for an interview? What you should know
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We value your opinion, insight and readership. We work every day to be the best news organization in the Triangle not just because we believe in the value of a well-informed community, but because we’re a part of it. The reporters and journalists who work at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun all live, work, learn and celebrate here, and we are proud to call this community home.
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Talking to a journalist is a new experience for most people. We hope these answers to commonly asked questions help you better understand what we do.
Why was I picked for an interview?
You might be an expert in your field or have spoken at an event. You may have shared your experience online or witnessed a newsworthy event. Regardless, we believe your insight can help shape our coverage.
How will my interview be used?
Your name and comments could appear on our website, in the newspaper, on social media and in other newspapers we work with. Sometimes we interview several people with similar thoughts and will use only a portion of what you tell us or none of it at all. Your opinion is still valuable to us.
Do you have to use my name?
Yes, in nearly all cases. But an exception could be made in certain circumstances.
For example, some victims of crimes or people who could lose their job for speaking to us may be able to talk to a reporter on background or off the record. The most important thing is to explain your circumstances to the reporter before the interview begins so you’re both in agreement on how your interview could be used.
What does ‘off the record’ and ‘on background’ mean?
If you tell us something off the record, that means the information cannot be shared, published, attributed or paraphrased in any way. If you tell us something on background, that means the information can be shared or published without attributing it to you.
Most interviews are on-the-record conversations, meaning anything you share can be published and attributed to you. If you’d like to share information on background or off the record, make sure you inform the journalist before sharing the information.
Can I read the story ahead of time?
No. We can sometimes check quotes and facts with you before it’s published. But it’s not an invitation to rephrase your words or take them back.
When will my interview be published?
Stories can take time and, in some instances, may be dropped. If you provide us with your contact information, we can let you know if or when a story might be published.
What if you got something wrong or misquoted me?
Our journalists strive to be accurate and fair. If you think we’ve missed the mark, contact the reporter to discuss a possible correction. Always let us know if you have a concern.
Who else are you interviewing?
It’s likely we will interview several people and differing parties to make sure we fully understand the story. Sometimes that means interviewing people who disagree with you. In our efforts to be fair, we will try to interview any person or group you accuse of a misdeed.
How should I prepare for my interview?
Please prepare in a way that makes you feel comfortable. We are interested in your opinion and insight, but also in what formed your opinions. Stories and anecdotes can be helpful in that process. Providing documentation or first-account information about your topic is also helpful, sometimes necessary.
Why did a reporter ask for my contact information?
Reporters routinely ask for emails and phone numbers. It can be helpful to fact-check things during the reporting process, to let people know when a story might be published and to check in for potential follow-ups. Your contact information will not be shared outside of our newsroom.
Have a different question?
Ask us. You can reach our staff at metroeds@newsobserver.com.
This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM.
