After the initial interview, a reporter is likely to take time to assess the information and set up interviews with other sources to better understand all sides of the story.
The reporter will work with their editor and other staff to fact-check and ensure credibility, and may ask to speak with you again (possibly several times) ahead of publication.
The interviewing and fact-checking stage may take weeks or even months, depending on the story’s particulars and sensitivity. During this time, it is important to:
- Stay patient and calm.
- Maintain a relationship with the reporter; check in occasionally to avoid any surprises at the time of publication.
- Understand that the story is now out of your control. This may bring feelings of relief or of anxiety, but either way you need to maintain your own equilibrium. Do not jump to any assumptions or decisions that would jeopardize the reporting process.
- Lean on your friends and family, and consult a mental health professional as needed, as you go through this uncharted territory.
In this part of the process, it is the reporter’s job to reach out to the employer in question for an interview — which means the employer will catch wind of the whistleblowing complaint before the publication of the story. It is against journalistic ethics for a reporter to share who tipped them off, even if anonymity was not explicitly granted. Still, proceed with caution, and be prepared for how this development may impact your standing at work, especially if your employer suspects your involvement.
Once your story is published, it is vital to read it thoroughly. Make sure all the details and quotes you provided are accurate, and no false or misleading information is directly written or implied. Do this as soon as possible to prevent any misinformation from spreading. If the published story contains incorrect or misleading information, contact the reporter immediately to discuss your concern and ask for clarification or a correction, if applicable (see Correction).
Remember, the final story may include information from a number of other sources, which may not directly reflect your personal experience. This is not something that can be changed. The reporter also does not have control over how the public will feel about the information in the story.
Sharing with multiple journalists or publications
In the case of a story that gains widespread media attention or goes viral online, other journalists are likely to reach out so they can do their own reporting of that story. If you are willing to speak with more media outlets, remember that interview experiences vary between different reporters. Other journalists may ask questions not addressed in your original story, or may push for details you are not comfortable divulging. Remember to remain consistent, and decline to comment about anything you do not wish to share.
If you do not want to speak with more media outlets, you can choose to simply ignore interview requests or to respond by stating, “I do not have any more information to share at this time.” Note: Information shared in the original story may still be republished, even without your permission or participation.
