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While reporters are perfectly comfortable questioning others to get stories, they are rarely questioned themselves. Thus, many are uncomfortable discussing the strategies they use to gather information. Nevertheless, over the decades, journalists have developed specific reporting rituals that are derived from two somewhat contradictory desires: to make news interesting and to demonstrate fairness (or what became known in the twentieth century as “objectivity”). These rituals have included focusing on the present, relying on experts, creating and balancing story conflict, and challenging leaders and institutions.