This lesson plan looks at why some people are willing to talk to an investigative journalist and why some won’t.
It is based on the article ‘Why would anyone talk to a journalist?‘ by Don Ray, which we recommend you read before adapting this lesson plan for your own purposes.
This lesson plan is based on the article Why would anyone want to talk to a journalist? which we suggest you read before adapting for your own purposes.
Introduction
The relationship between a journalist and a source is the foundation of investigative and news reporting. However, this relationship is often fraught with tension, mistrust, or fear. This lesson plan explores the psychology behind why sources talk, the ethical responsibilities of the journalist, and the practical steps needed to build trust and manage source expectations throughout the reporting process.
Sessions timetable
09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Understanding source motivations
- Aims: To identify the primary reasons why individuals choose to speak to the media and to understand the risks they face.
- Presentation: Discuss the motivations outlined in the MHM content: the desire for justice, the need to right a wrong, personal ego, or the feeling of being ignored by authorities. Emphasise that sources rarely talk for no reason.
- Activity: Brainstorming session. Trainees list potential sources for a local corruption story and categorise their likely motivations (e.g., a disgruntled employee vs. a community activist).
- Discussion: Why is it important for a journalist to understand why a source is talking to them? How does motivation affect the source’s credibility?
10:00–11:00 – Session 2: The journalist’s ethical responsibility
- Aims: To examine the ethical duty of care a journalist owes to their source.
- Presentation: Using the article’s guidance, present the concept that journalists are responsible for the safety and well-being of their sources. Cover the impact of “he morning after effect- where a source regrets speaking once the story is published.
- Activity: Case study analysis. Provide a scenario where a source provides high-impact information but faces losing their job. Trainees must draft a set of warning points they would share with this source before the interview.
- Discussion: Is it a journalist’s job to talk a source out of an interview if the risks are too high?
11:00–11:15 – Break
11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Establishing trust and transparency
- Aims: To learn practical methods for building rapport and setting clear ground rules.
- Presentation: Focus on the transparency section of the MHM text. Explain the importance of being honest about what you know, what you don’t know, and what the likely outcome of the story will be.
- Activity: Role-play. In pairs, one trainee acts as a hesitant source with sensitive information, and the other as a journalist. The journalist must convince the source to talk without using coercion or false promises.
- Discussion: What are the red lines in source negotiation? What promises should a journalist never make?
12:45–13:45 – Lunch
13:45–15:00 – Session 4: Managing expectations and the duty of care
- Aims: To understand the long-term relationship with a source beyond the initial interview.
- Presentation: Discuss the article’s points on staying in touch with the source. Explain that the journalist’s work doesn’t end when the notebook is closed; it continues through to publication and the aftermath.
- Activity: Draft a source management plan. Trainees outline a schedule of check-ins for a source involved in a month-long investigation, including what to say right before the story breaks.
- Discussion: How do you handle a source who becomes overly dependent on you or expects you to solve their personal problems?
15:00–15:15 – Break
15:15–16:15 – Session 5: Vulnerable sources and power dynamics
- Aims: To recognise the power imbalance between a media professional and a private citizen.
- Presentation: Material from the link regarding sources who are not used to dealing with the media. Discuss the imbalance of power and why journalists must be extra cautious with those who do not understand how the media works.
- Activity: Group exercise. Identify different vulnerability levels for sources (e.g., a CEO vs. a victim of a crime) and list how the interview approach should change for each.
- Discussion: How does the public interest justification weigh against the potential harm to a vulnerable source?
16:15–17:00 – Session 6: Review and preparation
- Aims: To synthesise the day’s learning into a personal code of conduct.
- Presentation: Summarise the key takeaways from the MHM article: empathy, honesty, and professional distance.
- Activity: Trainees write a one-page journalist-source manifesto outlining the five core principles they will follow when dealing with sources in the future.
- Discussion: Final Q&A session. Reviewing how these principles apply to digital security and protecting source identity in the digital age.
Assignment
Participants are required to identify a potential sensitive story in their beat. They must write a 500-word proposal detailing:
- Who the primary source might be.
- What their likely motivation for talking would be.
- A list of potential risks to that source.
- A step-by-step plan on how they will manage that source’s expectations from the first meeting to post-publication.
Materials needed
- Handout: Copies of the MHM article “Why would anyone want to talk to a journalist?“
- Whiteboard and markers.
- Printed case studies of investigative reports (for Session 2).
- Notepads and pens for role-play exercises.
Assessment
- Participation: Engagement in role-play and group discussions.
- Critical Thinking: Ability to identify subtle risks to sources during case study analysis.
- Assignment Quality: The source management plan must demonstrate a clear understanding of the duty of care and ethical boundaries.
Summary
This lesson plan provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex dynamics of the journalist-source relationship. By focusing on the motivations and risks explored in the article Why would anyone want to talk to a journalist?, trainers can equip journalists with the empathy and ethical rigour necessary to conduct responsible, high-impact investigative reporting.
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