If you are a reporter trying to find out what the hell's…
“If you are a reporter trying to find out what the hell's going on in government now, you have a devilish time. It is murder to set up an interview. It is murder to get someone's phone number. It's murder to be able to get in and talk to someone without a handler being present to chill it, or who doesn't insist upon questions in advance.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Investigative reporting on government is obstructed by barriers that make gathering information extremely difficult.
In simple terms: Getting info from government is very hard.
Key Takeaway
Find ways to bypass gatekeepers.
Themes
journalism
government
transparency
Mood
frustrated
determined
Type
cautionary
critical
When to use this quote
- political reporting
- whistleblowing
- public records requests
- media strategy
Key Concepts
censorship
information access
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists protect sources while exposing truth?
- What alternative channels can reveal hidden information?
A Different Perspective
Even with persistence, sources may be unwilling or unsafe to speak.