by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: May 04, 2009   Last Updated: March 21, 2010

According to Scott Rosenberg, founder of Salon.com, the face of twenty-first century journalism is changing and reporters that want to remain on the cutting edge must be prepared to reinvent the ABCs of interviewing. Rosenberg suggests that some of the "icons" from the last generation of journalists have historically used the interview process as an opportunity to manipulate and trap their sources while exacting the information they're looking for. He believes that journalists need to take one giant step in the direction of offering sources more control. If he is correct, are we looking at  the demise of traditional journalism?

One of the most significant journalistic changes that is taking place is in the "how-to" of the interview process. Jeff Jarvis of City University in New York offers a significant reason for why reporters are no longer going to be allowed to control and even manipulate the interview as they have in the past. This is because the alternatives for obtaining and broadcasting a story are becoming plentiful and "sources" now have options that preclude the necessity for the traditional interview. What this means is that established journalists are going to have to work harder to land an interview and this just may mean concessions.  

Perhaps this is where the citizen journalist is poised to strut his stuff. Here's the thing: The average citizen journalist may be too green to have developed the artifices of the game, yet be capable of conducting a really great interview. Why? Because his approach is fresh and he doesn't use entrapment to get his story. How amazing would it be if this new brand of journalist opted for truth over sensationalism?

If like me, you're a new breed of journalist, you may still be finding your voice and a platform from which to speak. In the midst of all your newly found enthusiasm, however, don’t lose sight of one very important fact. There is a journalistic code of ethics that you need to adhere to if you plan on distinguishing yourself, not as a rogue, but as a reporter who can conduct himself with integrity.

Whether you are a traditionalist or relatively new to journalism, you still have the responsibility to execute your interview along four salient lines.

1. You need to conduct yourself with integrity and make "telling the truth" your byline.

2. You need to respect others in your field as well as your

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