HOW do you handle sensitive interviews?
Two of the women we talked to for this piece in New Woman provoked an emotional reaction to what they were telling us - but we had to keep our calm, staying cool and objective.
One "case study" (Why do I still hate that word?) made Katie cry - after she'd put the phone down - as she recounted how she'd gone through with a termination as a teenager after being raped.
Another made me feel distinctly uncomfortable at times as she explained that she'd had three abortions and went to some length to explain how and why she really wasn't enamoured with kids.
I respect her position, will always speak up for her choice and understand her reasons. But that doesn't mean it was in any way an easy interview for me.
None of how I felt came across in the interview, I hope. It really wasn't my place. Have you ever interviewed anyone whose views you found it hard to identify with, and how did it affect you? That sounds a ridiculous question, now I see it written down.
What journalist doesn't have to report on stuff they'd want no part of?
In this case, we heard back from the editor that the woman who'd been raped wanted to thank us for our 'warm and patient' approach. So Katie must have done something right. [Linda]
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