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Topic: New sources at last minute
| Author | Message |
| ItsAMysteryNY | Posted – 5/16/2008 10:22:47 AM | show profile I quoted some sources for a FOB piece recently and the editor asked me a couple of questions that my original sources weren't able to answer in a satisfactory manner, so had to use new quotes from different sources. How do you tell the originals (if they even ask) why they were cut/edited? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 5/16/2008 11:03:39 AM | show profile My editor asked me to talk to xyz about abc. Unfortunately, the piece went a different direction than I originally expected it to. |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 5/16/2008 1:16:47 PM | show profile IF they ask, then say that the final piece was determined by the editor. It is out of your control. |
| snappiness | Posted – 5/16/2008 1:24:23 PM | show profile When I get that question I tell them the truth - that I talk to a ton of sources for each story and not all make into the final edited copy. I know the anticipated trade for talking to a journalist is that you'll get publicity, but that's not a guarantee (which is why you can't let them buy you lunch or give you gifts, etc, right?) and although they may be bummed out, you have no responsibility to feature them. Don't let them make you feel guilty. I'm not saying your sources are doing that, but it's just an easy trap for a journalist to fall into. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/17/2008 6:09:18 PM | show profile Personally, I would never tell a source I talk to tons of people and expect some won't make it in. (And in reality, that's not true for most writers on most articles -- generally, if I go to the trouble of interviewing someone, I'm going to use their info.) I'd just say, "I put some quotes in for you, but they got edited out for space reasons. I am sorry about that, but I am sure I'll be writing on this topic again and will be able to use you as a source again." You're right. It's nothing to be guilty about. It's nothing to fall over yourself apologizing about. __When I get that question I tell them the truth - that I talk to a ton of sources for each story and not all make into the final edited copy. I know the anticipated trade for talking to a journalist is that you'll get publicity, but that's not a guarantee (which is why you can't let them buy you lunch or give you gifts, etc, right?) and although they may be bummed out, you have no responsibility to feature them. Don't let them make you feel guilty. I'm not saying your sources are doing that, but it's just an easy trap for a journalist to fall into.-- |
| snappiness | Posted – 5/19/2008 10:30:47 AM | show profile I tell every source exactly that (except when it's obviously a profile) so they won't get their hopes up that they're going to be featured in some national magazine and their lives will change forever....(oh the drama!). After 20+ years of doing this, I have had too many people get too excited then get let down when they get cut, so I just let everyone know that's a possibility right up front so nobody's hopes are dashed. Also, I really think it makes them relax a little more since they think there is less at stake. I used to try to be super efficient in my interviewing, but for short pieces sometimes you can only work in one quote and I can't do a single source story. And what if one of your sources is lame? Even for short pieces I have to interview enough people to be expert on the topic, and some give better quotes than others. Maybe all that interviewing is why my editors now tell me my research and reporting work is outstanding. |
