To a large degree, the audience's philosophy determines how a subject is handled. When you are asked to participate in an interview, ask about the audience or reader who is likely to see, hear or read the piece. Let the reporter or producer know you are interested in providing information to that particular audience. Most will be grateful that you care. In addition to knowing your audience, it is important to know something about the background of the interviewer or reporter.
Reporters have opinions and attitudes about subjects and issues.
These opinions influence how a subject may be treated in a printed article or broadcast interview. They definitely determine the kind of questions that will be asked. The types of questions, the way they are asked and the tone in which they are asked are all based on attitudes. For these reasons, you must do your homework before the interview. To learn the editorial position of a publication or program and the way reporters have treated recent issues, scan back copies of the publications or monitor several broadcasts of the program.