Interview Rights and Responsibilities

Before agreeing to do an interview, it will help you to know what your rights are as the person being interviewed, as well as what the journalist's rights are as the person conducting the interview.

Interview subjects have the right to:
- Know the interview topics in advance.
- Know the identity and affiliation of the reporter.
- Ask about who else will be interviewed for the story.
- State your key points and, if appropriate, restate them.
- Have some control over the interview environment.
- Bring up relevant topics and points not specifically asked for in questioning.
- Know how the material will be used and who else is being interviewed for the story.
- Respond to accusations.
- Correct misstatements and misinformation.
- Finish responses without interruption.
- Restate obscure or lengthy questions.

Journalists conducting interviews have the right to:
- Reasonable access to legitimate news sources.
- Have the reporter's deadlines and logistical needs considered.
- Receive concise direct answers to relevant questions.
- Receive a timely response to an inquiry.
- Conduct follow-up inquiries where needed for clarification.
- Request and receive printed or visual material to flesh out interview information.
- Receive corrected information if incorrect information is inadvertently given.
- Redirect the discussion to the subject under investigation.
- Evaluate and report the story as the reporter sees it.
- The same kind of courtesy and respect that the interviewer is entitled to.

Adapted from UCDavis' A Spokesperson's "Bill of Rights"