A good journalist must possess the following abilitilies:

• Interviewing: Asking the right questions in the right way is an essential competency for a journalist. Journalists use carefully crafted questions to chip away at the walls that separate them from a story. They must be concise and sharp enough to engage the interviewee, as well as those who may read or watch the interview. Interviews also require journalists to know when subjects aren’t directly answering a question or don’t understand it and find ways to get them back on track.

• Research: News stories should be based on factual evidence. Journalists need to have access to facts to present the reality of a situation. Factual evidence might be available, but finding it requires research skills. Logically compiling information that journalists can later use to make a case in their work is crucial to a story’s success. Additionally, factual information maintains the journalist’s reputation and, in turn, the public’s trust.

• Writing: Journalists must have an impeccable grasp of spelling, grammar, and style. This skill doesn’t apply to written articles only, as good writing is a hallmark of any media presentation, from video to audio reports. The writing should captivate the reader while concisely presenting the story.