Journalism Interview Events & Training
Build real skills through hands-on practice and expert guidance
We host regular sessions where working journalists share techniques they actually use. These aren't theoretical lectures—people come to practice, get feedback, and figure out what works for their own interviewing style. Whether you're preparing for your first assignment or looking to refine your approach, our events focus on the practical stuff that matters in real newsrooms.
Upcoming Sessions
Question Design Workshop
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM MYTLearn how to craft questions that actually get answers. We'll work through real interview scenarios and practice building question sequences that open up conversations instead of shutting them down.
Led by Aisha Kamaruddin, investigative journalistHandling Difficult Interviews
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM MYTWhat happens when your subject dodges questions or gets defensive? This session covers techniques for maintaining control while keeping the conversation productive. Includes role-play with challenging scenarios.
Led by Tan Wei Chen, political correspondentSource Development Strategies
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM MYTBuilding relationships with sources takes time and trust. This workshop covers practical approaches to finding people, establishing credibility, and maintaining contacts that actually want to talk to you.
Led by Priya Nambiar, business reporterAudio Interview Techniques
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM MYTRecording interviews brings its own challenges. We'll cover equipment basics, recording ethics, and how to conduct interviews that work well in audio format. Bring your recorder if you have one.
Led by Razak Ibrahim, radio journalistMonthly Practice Sessions
The best way to get better at interviewing is to actually do it. That's why we run monthly practice sessions where participants conduct real interviews with volunteer subjects, then review the recordings together.
These sessions run small—usually eight to ten people—so everyone gets time to work and receive feedback. You'll see what works in your approach and where things could improve. And because we record everything, you can go back and listen to what actually happened versus what you thought happened.
- Practice with real interview subjects in a low-pressure setting
- Get specific feedback from experienced journalists
- Review your recorded interviews to identify patterns
- Work on specific techniques you want to develop
- Connect with other journalists facing similar challenges
Sessions happen the first Saturday of each month. Registration opens two weeks prior.
Specialized Training Modules
These focused sessions target specific interview situations that journalists commonly face but might not encounter often enough to master on their own.
Crisis & Breaking News
Interviewing during breaking situations requires quick thinking and sensitivity. This module covers approaching people in distress, gathering accurate information quickly, and maintaining ethical standards when time is tight.
Expert Interviews
Talking to specialists means preparing thoroughly and asking smart questions. Learn how to research complex topics, translate technical language for general audiences, and push back when experts aren't making sense.
Profile Interviews
Getting beyond surface answers takes skill. This module focuses on building rapport, finding the telling details, and conducting interviews that reveal character. We look at preparation strategies and conversation techniques that go deeper.
Investigative Approaches
When people don't want to talk, you need different tactics. This covers document-based interviews, handling reluctant sources, protecting confidentiality, and building cases through multiple conversations over time.
Recent Events
Fact-Checking in Real Time
This workshop addressed the challenge of verifying information during live interviews and breaking news situations. Participants practiced techniques for questioning inconsistencies and identifying red flags that suggest misinformation.
18 journalists attended
Ethics in Interview Situations
Three senior journalists discussed real ethical dilemmas they'd faced: when to grant anonymity, how to handle off-the-record conversations, and dealing with vulnerable interview subjects. The discussion got into gray areas where standard rules don't always provide clear answers.
32 participants joined
Video Interview Production
A practical session covering the technical and editorial aspects of video interviews. Topics included framing, lighting basics, sound quality, and how to conduct interviews that work visually. Participants brought their cameras and practiced setup and execution.
14 journalists participated
Event Highlights
Photos from our recent training sessions and workshops across Penang.
Join Our Next Session
Spaces in our workshops fill quickly because we keep groups small for better learning. Registration for February and March sessions opens in early January 2026. Get in touch if you'd like details about upcoming events or want to discuss which sessions might work best for your current skill level.