Interviews and quotes

Agree on the terms first

On the record

Everything said can be used and attributed by name. This is the default. Say who you are and that you’re reporting for Hoosier First.

On background

You can use what’s said but not the person’s name, only a description you agree on (for example, “a county employee”).

Off the record

You can’t use it at all. It can only point you to records or people who will go on the record.

Recording

• Public meetings: you may record them (IC 5-14-1.5-3(a)). See Covering public meetings.
• Phone and video calls: Indiana’s wiretap law treats it as “interception” when someone who is not a sender or receiver records a communication without the consent of a sender or receiver (IC 35-31.5-2-176). If you’re on the call, you are a party to it. Calls with people in other states can fall under their state’s law, and some states require everyone’s consent.
• Our standard is simpler: tell people you’re recording. “I’m recording so I quote you accurately. Is that OK?” It builds trust and it protects you.

Quoting people

• Quotation marks mean exact words. Don’t fix grammar in a way that changes meaning, and don’t stitch together sentences said minutes apart.
• Paraphrase without quotation marks when the exact words don’t matter, but keep the meaning.
• Use “said.” Not “admitted,” “claimed” or “slammed.” Let the facts carry the weight.
• Say how you got it: “said in an interview,” “said in an email,” “said at Tuesday’s council meeting.”
• Context matters. If a quote was a joke or a hypothetical, say so or don’t use it.

No surprises

Before you publish anything that criticizes someone, contact them, tell them what the story will say and give them a fair chance to respond. Include their answer, or say when you reached out and that they did not respond. That is how we earn the right to be tough.

Interview checklist

1. Read the record first. Budgets, minutes, contracts, filings. Know the numbers before you ask.
2. Write five questions. Start open (“Walk me through how this contract was chosen”), then get specific.
3. Ask for documents: “Is there a memo or email that shows that?”
4. Spell names back. Confirm titles and how they want to be identified.
5. End with: “What didn’t I ask that I should have? Who else should I talk to?”
6. Write it up within a day and keep your notes and recordings in a safe place. Never share them outside the editors.