On Journo Interviews

Is the traditional journo interview outmoded? That's what I keep reading on various blogs. Jay Rosen said it. Jeff Jarvis said it. Jason Calacanis said it. Dave Winer said it most provocatively: “If you have a few questions, send them along, and if I have something to say, I’ll write a blog post, which of course you’re free to quote.”

Really? That sounds fine on the surface, but few people have thought processes so self-contained or views so mature and fully formed that they can't narrow and articulate them through an exchange of thoughtful questions conveyed on the phone or in person -- y'know, the sort of thing they used to call a press interview. Few people I've encountered, myself included, are such great writers that they can express as well in writing what they can in person or on the phone. Some would point to podcasting as an alternative. I say it takes too much time, for both producer and listener.

I feel the pain of you who have been misrepresented by lazy or ignorant reporters. I hope you'll continue to indulge the rest of us our pesky phone calls. Speaking from the reporting side of the fence, I can tell you nothing has informed my stories more than the conversations I've had over the years with people who just know a lot more than I do.