Your opinion?

[bigpern23]

I've had this happen before, but it recently happened to me several times while working on a couple of stories and I got to wondering, what do you do when a source asks your opinion on a situation?

I was writing a story about a fairly controversial subject last week and sources on both sides asked for my opinion about what I saw from a certain individual.

This week, it was a game that was decided in controversial fashion and the losing coach asked me my opinion on it.

I tend to tell the source, "I see what you're saying," or some other such vague sentence, so as not to endorse one view or another, but I have occasionally found myself telling the source my actual opinion. The times that has happened, I've looked back on the interview and found myself wondering if I should have kept my mouth shut, since I'm not supposed to have an opinion.

Now, I'm quite confident my objectivity shines through in the story, but if a source is aware of my opinion (which I do not put in the article), I wonder if it colors their perception of the article itself.

So what do you all do when confronted with that question?

 

[Ace]

If you are doing an interview, I see no harm in agreeing with both sides.

Know what I mean?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Hell, I just tell them what I think. If they don't like it, don't ask. If I think they got screwed, I'd tell them. If the call was right, I'll tell them that too.

 

[captzulu]

You are not supposed to not have an opinion; you're just supposed to keep your opinion out of your story. I won't volunteer my opinion, but if the source asks and you know they aren't the type to get all pissy because you might not see things their way, then tell them and explain why you feel this or that way. If you think they aren't going to take it well, feed them vagueness.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I definitely keep my opinion out of the story. But if they ask what I thought of a play or call, I'll tell him. It has no effect on the story I write. If one coach thinks it's the worst call since Dierdecker (or whatever his name is) in 1985 then I'll write that he thought so.

I don;t really care if they take it well or not. But I've only had that hapen a couple of time anyway.

 

[Bucknutty]

If you have any hopes of developing a relationship with said coach that could lead to better quotes and better candor with him or her, give your opinion when asked. Absolutely.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

I wasn't paying attention, Coach, I was thinking about your daughter naked again

 

[Ace]

Seriously, if it's a longterm/controversial issue (Are you a fan of the Podunk Pioneers or the rival Piddlywink Piranhas? Do you agree that the principal should fire AD Bernie Blockhead? Shouldn't my son be starting in place of Sammy Setshot?) keep your mouth shut.

You agree or disagree with the person asking and they are likely to spread it around and it won't be Randy Reporter likes the Piranhas a smidgen more, it will be that Randy Reporter hates the Podunk team!

Best to say that you are just writing a story and have to remain objective.

On one-time things like calls or something, that's not so much your opinion and your judgment. No harm, really in responding except perhaps to look foolish if you don't know the rulebook or something.

I always give the "I didn't see it so well" or "You couldn't really tell by the replay" unless it's someone I trust.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

When interviewing someone who has a strong opinion on something, whether I agree or disagree, my side of the conversation goes like this: (Aside from the well thought out and hard-hitting questions. )

"Yeah... uh-huh... sure... yeah... yup.... I see what you're saying... uh-huh... OK, Jim Bum****, thanks for your time."

 

[Chi City 81]

Seriously, if it's a longterm/controversial issue (Are you a fan of the Podunk Pioneers or the rival Piddlywink Piranhas? Do you agree that the principal should fire AD Bernie Blockhead? Shouldn't my son be starting in place of Sammy Setshot?) keep your mouth shut.

You agree or disagree with the person asking and they are likely to spread it around and it won't be Randy Reporter likes the Piranhas a smidgen more, it will be that Randy Reporter hates the Podunk team!

Best to say that you are just writing a story and have to remain objective.

On one-time things like calls or something, that's not so much your opinion and your judgment. No harm, really in responding except perhaps to look foolish if you don't know the rulebook or something.

I always give the "I didn't see it so well" or "You couldn't really tell by the replay" unless it's someone I trust.

HEY! NO OUTING, ****ER!

 

[Ace]

Sorry, Randy.

 

[bigpern23]

Yeah, these weren't "did he blow the call" type questions. It was more like, "You're a sports reporter, does that seem like a fair decision to you?" or "do you think he should get away with that?" type of stuff.

I'd say I generally lean toward keeping my trap shut because, as captzulu pointed out, we're not supposed to have opinions on this stuff. Even if my opinion doesn't come close to getting in the story, telling those sources my opinion would likely lead to it getting out. Once it's out, it colors the way people read your story. They LOOK for your opinion in it, even if it's not there.

 

[Spartakate]

Even if my opinion doesn't come close to getting in the story, telling those sources my opinion would likely lead to it getting out. Once it's out, it colors the way people read your story. They LOOK for your opinion in it, even if it's not there.

So true. I covered politics for many years and somehow kept my sources guessing until the day I left. I really think if I had told them my opinions, I wouldn't have gotten some of my stories. If you just flat out tell them "I appreciate you asking, but I'm a reporter and to report objectively I cannot voice my opinions on this matter."

 

[McLovin]

The line I use is "They pay me not to have an opinion." Usually the source then remembers how important it is for journalists to maintain at least the appearance of being unbiased.

 

[Spartakate]

The line I use is "They pay me not to have an opinion." Usually the source then remembers how important it is for journalists to maintain at least the appearance of being unbiased.

Wow that's a good one! I'll have to remember that.

 

[write then drink]

strong opinions and a sophisticated working knowledge of a topic are often crucial in developing trusting relationships with sources

the more your source feels a kinship to you -- based on your deep understanding of the topic you're discussing with him -- the more open he'll be on the record and off

 

[JayFarrar]

I wasn't paying attention, Coach, I was thinking about your daughter naked again

Expecially if it is Bowden's daughter. As smooth as a baby's bottom.
That picture is so NOT SAFE FOR WORK I won't even post the link.

 

[Meat Loaf]

I have two usual responses:

1. I don't care.

2. No, really, I don't care. This is just a job, you know?