Interviewing & Story Development: Key Laws & Regulations

Interviewing and Story Development

Introduction

In the professional practice of UK journalism, interviewing and story development represent the transition from raw data collection to the creation of public-interest narratives. For a journalist working toward the ICTQual Level 3 Certificate, these skills are not merely communicative but are deeply rooted in technical and legal competencies. An interview is a structured professional encounter that requires meticulous planning, the setting of clear editorial objectives, and the ability to adapt to the subject’s environment—whether that is in a face-to-face meeting, a telephone call, or a digital interface. Once the information is gathered, the “story development” phase begins, requiring the journalist to act as a curator and architect. This involves the high stakes task of selecting accurate quotes, identifying a “hook” or angle that resonates with a British audience, and synthesizing diverse perspectives into a coherent structure. Central to this process is the unwavering adherence to the UK’s regulatory framework, specifically the IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice and various statutory laws. Vocational excellence in this unit is defined by the journalist’s ability to build professional rapport while maintaining the ethical distance required to report objectively. This Knowledge Providing Task provides a comprehensive guide to the laws, standards, and practical methodologies that ensure every interview is conducted with integrity and every story is developed with precision and legal safety.

Strategic Interview Planning and Conduct

Setting Objectives and Question Hierarchy

Professional interviewing begins with a clear plan. A journalist must define the “Primary Objective”—the essential information the story requires—and “Secondary Objectives” for color or background. Questions should be organized into a hierarchy, starting with open-ended “warm-up” questions to build rapport, followed by “core” questions that address the story’s main tension. In the UK, journalists must be prepared to justify their line of questioning if it involves sensitive public matters.

Methodologies for Recording and Accuracy

Whether conducting a structured interview (fixed questions) or a semi-structured interview (conversational flow), accuracy is a vocational requirement. Utilizing reliable recording equipment and maintaining a backup of shorthand notes is essential. Under the IPSO Editors’ Code, the “Accuracy” clause is paramount; journalists must ensure that every quote selected is a verbatim or contextually accurate representation of the interviewee’s words. Transcription must be done diligently to avoid “misattribution,” which can lead to legal complications.

Narrative Synthesis and Story Architecture

Angle Identification and the Inverted Pyramid

A story angle is the specific lens used to present facts. A vocational journalist evaluates their interview data to find the most “newsworthy” element for their audience. The story is then constructed using the Inverted Pyramid model, placing the most critical information at the top. This structure ensures that even if a reader only consumes the first few paragraphs, the core narrative is understood.

Organizing Multiple Sources and Quote Selection

A compelling narrative often requires the synthesis of multiple, sometimes conflicting, sources—such as an interview with an eyewitness and a statement from a UK government department. Competency involves selecting quotes that provide “authority” or “human emotion” and placing them within the article structure to create a balanced flow. Reflection on editorial feedback is a key part of this stage, helping to refine the story’s clarity and ensure the transition between different voices is seamless.

Key Law and Regulation Summary Sheet

The Defamation Act 2013

This is the primary legislation protecting individuals and companies from false statements that cause “serious harm” to their reputation.

  • Workplace Implication: When developing a story based on an interview, every allegation made by an interviewee must be verified. You cannot simply hide behind a quote; if you publish a defamatory quote, you (and your outlet) are legally liable unless you can prove the statement is true or an honest opinion on a matter of public interest.

IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice (Clause 1, 3, and 4)

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) sets the professional standards for the UK press.

  • Clause 1 (Accuracy): Requires that the press take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading, or distorted information.
  • Clause 3 (Privacy): Protects an individual’s private life, particularly during sensitive interviews.
  • Clause 4 (Harassment): Journalists must not engage in intimidation or persistent pursuit after being asked to stop.
  • Workplace Implication: These standards dictate how you approach an interviewee, how you record their consent, and how you select quotes for the final article.

The Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR)

This law regulates how personal data is collected, used, and stored.

  • Workplace Implication: Interview recordings and transcripts are considered “personal data.” Journalists must have a legal basis for holding this data (usually “journalistic exemption” in the public interest) and must ensure it is stored securely and not kept longer than necessary for the story’s completion.

Learner Tasks:

Learner Task 01: The Interview Protocol

Scenario

You are a junior reporter for a UK-based news site. You are assigned to interview a local resident whose home was destroyed in a recent UK coastal flood. You also have a 10-minute slot with a UK Environment Agency representative.

Objectives

To demonstrate competency in planning interviews with different objectives, conducting them professionally, and applying techniques for building rapport with sensitive subjects.

Questions

  • Define two clear objectives for the resident’s interview and two for the Environment Agency representative. How do your “Objectives” change between a victim and a government official?
  • Create a list of five questions for the resident. Explain the rapport-building techniques you would use to ensure they feel comfortable sharing their story during a semi-structured interview.
  • Describe the technical process you would use to record and transcribe both interviews. How do you ensure “Accuracy” according to IPSO standards if the resident uses local dialect or slang?
  • Explain the ethical boundaries you must respect when interviewing the resident. At what point would the IPSO Clause 4 (Harassment) prevent you from continuing the interview?

Outcomes

The learner will be able to plan and conduct interviews with clear objectives, build rapport with sensitive subjects, and demonstrate professional recording and transcription techniques.

Learner Task 02: Narrative Development and Synthesis

Scenario

You have completed your interviews. The resident provided a heart-wrenching quote about losing family heirlooms. The Environment Agency provided technical data about “unprecedented rainfall levels.” You have also found a previous UK government report from five years ago predicting these floods.

Objectives

To demonstrate the ability to identify a strong story angle, select impactful quotes, and synthesize information from multiple sources into a coherent article.

Questions

  1. Identify the most compelling “Story Angle” for a UK audience. Would you focus on the “Human Tragedy” or “Government Failure”? Justify your choice based on “Public Interest.”
  2. Select two quotes—one from the resident and one from the Agency—and explain where they should be placed within the Inverted Pyramid structure of your article.
  3. How would you organize the information from the five-year-old government report alongside your new interview data? Describe how you would ensure the story “flows” between the past and the present.
  4. If an editor provides feedback that your draft is “too biased against the Agency,” what specific changes would you make to the quote selection or structure to ensure “Accuracy” and “Balance”?

Outcomes

The learner will identify strong story angles, select and place quotes accurately, and organize multiple sources into a coherent and balanced article structure.

Learner Task 03: Legal Risk and Ethical Decision Making

Scenario

During the interview, the resident claims that the Environment Agency representative is “a liar” and that the flood defenses were never actually built. You have this claim recorded.

Objectives

To interpret the legal and ethical risks of story development and apply correct UK procedures to prevent legal “incidents.”

Questions

  1. Evaluate the risk of including the resident’s claim that the representative is “a liar” in your story. Which specific part of the Defamation Act 2013 must you consider?
  2. Describe the professional “Right of Reply” procedure. How must you contact the Environment Agency regarding this allegation, and how should their response be reflected in your story?
  3. Explain how the UK GDPR (Data Protection Act 2018) applies to the digital recording of this specific allegation. How should you store this file to protect your newsroom?
  4. If the resident later asks you to remove their interview from the online story because they “regret being so angry,” what are your ethical obligations under the IPSO Code?

Outcomes

The learner will demonstrate a professional understanding of UK media law and regulation, identify legal risks in story development, and apply correct ethical procedures for sensitive reporting.