---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a journalist, you don't tend to…"
description: "\"As a journalist, you don't tend to interview people with a view to becoming their friend. You can't expect that. It's not professional.\" — Sheila Heti"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/sheila-heti-2776_becoming_as-a-journalist-you-don-t-tend-to-interv_804434.jpg"
---

#  As a journalist, you don't tend to interview people with a…

![“As a journalist, you don't tend to interview people with a view to becoming their friend. You can't expect that. It's not professional.” quote by Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/sheila-heti-2776_becoming_as-a-journalist-you-don-t-tend-to-interv_804434.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/sheila-heti-2776_becoming_as-a-journalist-you-don-t-tend-to-interv_804434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/sheila-heti-2776_becoming_as-a-journalist-you-don-t-tend-to-interv_804434.jpg)

> “As a journalist, you don't tend to interview people with a view to becoming their friend. You can't expect that. It's not professional.”

[Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heti/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Journalists should maintain professional distance, not aim to become friends with interview subjects, to preserve objectivity.

**In simple terms:** Journalists must stay professional, not become friends.

Key Takeaway

Uphold boundaries for unbiased reporting.

Themes

ethics professionalism objectivity

Mood

serious analytical

Type

professional ethical

When to use this quote

- conducting interviews
- reporting news
- building credibility
- networking responsibly
- media training

Key Concepts

journalism relationship dynamics trust building

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance rapport with impartiality?
- What boundaries protect both journalist and source?

A Different Perspective

May limit depth of insight.

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[Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Journalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalist/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

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