better questions = more nervous politicians = better news

There’s an awful lot of talk about accountability these days. Almost as much as there is about the death of journalism. But there’s a simple way to help out on both fronts. Better questions by our interviewers of our leaders, representatives and people in power.

Most questions are open-ended and long. That gives the interviewee a time to think up a good response and ramble tangentially, because they’re asked what they think – which is usually answered by what they don’t think at all. Far better would be shorter, closed questions that are looking for concrete yes or no based responses. Less time to think of an answer. Less wriggle room for the interviewee to squirm out of trouble, and more opportunity for strong supplemental questions.

If you’re interested in helping to deliver better questions to our journalists and you’re on Twitter, or you’re thinking of joining, follow The Question Bar and submit a question that will posterize that politician.

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