How to get sources to talk

Essential skills and techniques on building sources and getting them to open up.

In this episode of Backlight, Beatriz and Tessa talk to investigative reporters Tomas Statius and Elena DeBre. We cover:

– How to cultivate sources
– Three techniques on getting sources to talk
– Tips for new reporters

We talk about all this in the context of two of our latest investigations – the False Promises of Biometrics, that relied solely on source-based evidence to uncover a string of failed mega-deals that benefited DRC elites & left ordinary people with no proof of ID. And Poison PR, which exposed a US government funded campaign from a PR company to profile and target people trying to sound the alarm about the harms of pesticides and GMOs.

You can also listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YoutTube.

Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa Pang
Sound design, mixing and editing: Spoovio – Audiovisual Productions