You know why reporters in the past were encouraged to learn shorthand? So that they could note every word the subject said. The reporters could then retrieve the best quotes, and use them in the news story.
Today, shorthand has fallen into disuse. Interviews are recorded using high-end audio recorders. But the purpose is the same: to get the best quotes.
There are three reasons why the media lays such great stress on quotes. These are:
1. Build credibility
Quotes are the best way of establishing credibility. They put the officials or organizations on record. The readers are more likely to trust reports that use quotes.
2. Impart flavour
There are some individuals who have their own way of speaking. One good example is Lalu Prasad Yadav, a politician who was the chief minister of Bihar for 15 years. He stunned India when he spoke of his vision of Bihar roads.
He told a reporter: “Bihar ki sadke Hema Malini ke gaal ki tarah chikni honge.”
When translated in English, the statement read: “The roads of Bihar would be as smooth as Hema Malini’s cheeks.”
Hema Malini was one of the leading ladies of Indian cinema at that time.
The reporter quoted the politician in Hindi, with an English translation for those readers who did not know Hindi. The English translation may have conveyed the same meaning but it was the statement in Hindi that came to be talked about across India.
It also brought out the rustic personality of the politician.
3. Show efforts made by site to get credible information
Quotes establish how far a site is willing to go to get authentic and credible news. There are some websites that rehash content. There are others that send their reporters to distant places to get information. It is these sites that earn the respect of their users.
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