The 5 reasons reporters ask tough questions

In method acting, actors seek to understand what motivates their characters, which helps inform the choices they make in their roles. Similarly, in an effort to understand what reporters are seeking, our trainee wanted to understand what motivates their tough questions.

With a nod to the legendary theater director Constantin Stanislavski, here are the five reasons reporters ask tough questions.

1. They want the truth. According to The Elements of Journalism, journalism’s first obligation is to tell the truth. Journalists often see themselves as truth-seekers, and they ask tough questions in an effort to get the facts.