How can you use expert opinions to enhance your news research?

Facts, it is often said, are sacred in journalism. It is expedient to deliberately reach out to professionals with expertise in the area of your research for fact-checking in the course of your researching your story. The journalist has access to different sources online including Who’s Who, directories of professional associations, and other biographical compendia. The journalist should always endeavour to get the opinions of not less than three sources during each news research effort for purposes of triangulation

Sabe um ótimo lugar para encontrar fontes especialistas de qualidade para qualquer reportagem? O LinkedIn. Pela barra de busca é fácil encontrar especialistas pela palavra-chave, ou mesmo nos produtos editoriais do LinkedIn Notícias, como o Boletim Diário e as nossas newsletters. Com o LinkedIn Premium você também pode entrar em contato diretamente com muitas dessas potenciais fontes por InMail. E n?o é porque eu sou editor do LinkedIn Notícias, n?o: desde meus tempos de reda??o tradicional eu recorro ao LinkedIn para fontes. Vai na minha.

Also, there are a lot of valid and credible with well known reputation magazines and academic sites. Such as, economist, NewYork times

Conflict of interest, agenda and perspective is based on opinion. News reporting is based on fact. So, contrary to the above paragraph and the mention of opinion, rather seek subject matter experts who can provide verified facts. Should you seek experts for their opinion, it is important to gain opposing opinions from other experts as well to balance out bias and create a fair, debate-focused news piece.

It is also important that the journalist seeks the opinion of not less than three of such experts in any story research effort for purposes of triangulation. This will give balanced perspective to the story

Experts may get very upset about editorial decisions like headlines, which even the author of the piece may not control. It is important to brief them about the whole process, for example: "I will start recording now. If there is anything you want to remove or add later, you can let me know by [email/ phone]. After this my colleagues and I will review the transcript, add other sources, and draft the piece. Next, the piece will be edited, which may result in rephrasing some statements, and we expect it to be published on…"

Citing experts is a must, however, following journalistic standards, it is also important to forward the written quotes to them and the news piece before publishing to ensure they approve of the news piece.

In my experience, I always insist that the interviewee confirms that I have captured his or her views appropriately by reading through the written interview. This is to avoid the argument of “quoting out of context”

Also verify experts in terms of the news piece/topic/angle. Ask yourself: 1. Is their contribution relevant to the news piece? Does it benefit the news piece in question? 2. Does it create factual reporting, analysis, debate, new, academic research or evidence? Also, verify in writing their approval to participate in the news piece.

Along with this section, create a selection of relevant questions to answers and offer the opportunity to add in any information not suggested in the provided questions. Be sure to document communication and keep a paper trail.