A Fair and Impartial Presentation: Examining the Role of an Interviewer

E-Page 48
 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

In broadcast interviews, the person asking the questions can be as much a presence as the interviewee. Ideally, he or she takes an open-minded stance, listening carefully to the points that interview subjects make but also challenging them on debatable assertions and often encouraging them to address or at least consider different angles of issues.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write one or two paragraphs analyzing Will Wilkinson’s efforts to ensure a fair and impartial presentation of the issues discussed with Jonathan Haidt:

  1. Did you have any questions about Haidt’s research that Wilkinson didn’t ask?
  2. Would you have challenged Haidt’s assertions in any ways that Wilkinson didn’t?
  3. At one point in the interview, Wilkinson identifies himself as a libertarian. Do you think that this strategy interfered with his impartiality or made for a stronger interview? Why?

    Question