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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for the interview
   • Research and document background information before the interview.
   • Seek guidance from a senior reporter or the editor on the most suitable person to be interviewed.
   • Establish time and place for the interview with the subject.
   • Set interview objectives and plan questions in advance, taking constraints into consideration.
   • Check equipment for serviceability.
   • Rectify and report any equipment faults, obtain replacement or take an alternative approach where faults cannot be rectified.
2. Establish interview parameters with subject
   • Identify own publication and provide necessary background information to the subject.
   • Seek permission to tape the interview from the subject.
   • Discuss and agree on relevant interview methods with the subject.
   • Discuss and confirm scope and length of the interview with the subject.
3. Conduct an interview
   • Tape relevant information about the interview where permission is granted.
   • Invite subject to expand key points, to present all relevant material or to clarify matters by asking questions.
   • Invite subject to provide information for future stories.
4. Verify information as necessary
   • Check and confirm details with the subject after the interview.
   • Provide transcript of the interview to the subject to check for factual accuracy.
   • Confirm accuracy of the information provided by asking other sources.
5. Archive interview material
   • Store interview transcripts as per publication policies.
   • Make archived material available only to approved people on request.
6. Prepare for the interview
   • Research and document background information before the interview.
   • Seek guidance from a senior reporter or the editor on the most suitable person to be interviewed.
   • Establish time and place for the interview with the subject.
   • Set interview objectives and plan questions in advance, taking constraints into consideration.
   • Check equipment for serviceability.
   • Rectify and report any equipment faults, obtain replacement or take an alternative approach where faults cannot be rectified.
7. Establish interview parameters with subject
   • Identify own publication and provide necessary background information to the subject.
   • Seek permission to tape the interview from the subject.
   • Discuss and agree on relevant interview methods with the subject.
   • Discuss and confirm scope and length of the interview with the subject.
8. Conduct an interview
   • Tape relevant information about the interview where permission is granted.
   • Invite subject to expand key points, to present all relevant material or to clarify matters by asking questions.
   • Invite subject to provide information for future stories.
9. Verify information as necessary
   • Check and confirm details with the subject after the interview.
   • Provide transcript of the interview to the subject to check for factual accuracy.
   • Confirm accuracy of the information provided by asking other sources.
10. Archive interview material
    • Store interview transcripts as per publication policies.
    • Make archived material available only to approved people on request.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

taking notes from spoken and written sources

developing an interview schedule

negotiating interview by establishing a supportive environment

facilitating a formal oral interview, using a range of interactional strategies to establish, develop and maintain a relationship

exploring issues

gathering information on a topic

identifying and sourcing accurate and relevant information for a story

giving full regard to privacy, defamation, and reporting issues including gender, race, religion and disability

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

command of language structures, registers, vocabulary and idiom required in conversational exchanges

defence concepts of newsworthy information

interview techniques

sources for relevant background information

when information needs to be checked

security classification of information presented during the interview

ADF public affairs objectives and the characteristics of defence public affairs organisations

Defence News Editorial Board guidelines

Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics

relevant legislation

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