Eyes Above The Waves

Sunday 12 August 2012

Attention NZ TV Sports Interviewers

When interviewing athletes after an event, I want to know what they think, not what you think. So, why are you always making statements and inviting the subject to agree with you? Instead, ask open-ended questions.

Bad:

• "It was tough at there for the last twenty minutes, wouldn't you say?"
• "It looked like you were completely calm at the start?"

Good:

• "What was the toughest part of the match?"
• "How did you feel at the start?"

Same goes for any other kind of interview, but sports interviewers irritate me the most.