I trust my source and regularly meet them.I follow the footsteps of Pete Shellem, a chain-smoking investigative reporter of Patriot-News of Harrisburg,Pennsylvania who meets source in bars,pubs and knows most of the bartenders by name.When his immediate boss or his colleagues from his newspaper needs to find him for a question on a story they know where to find him.By his tireless effort four innocent people were freed from jail after serving several years in jail.Hats off to his temperament.
My source are also my friends.They trust me a lot and without any hesitation they pass vital information to me and I always prefer to go undercover for my assignment their knowledge of the darker side of the society come as a handy.I believe that a good investigative reporter can not reveal his source.He prefer to go to jail rather than reveal their identity.As an investigative reporter first I try to built up confidence and then persuade persons to talk on camera.I tell them that I have nothing to do with their criminal activity or criminal background but I try to highlight their plight-they trust me a lot and openly tell their story on camera.Despite my best effort to built a co-ordial relation with them,sometimes they put me in trouble.Here, I want to recall one incident where I was compelled to take action against one of my contacts.Few years ago,my source a husky guy came over my office and struck up conversation with me and pull pranks-then he told me that he needed one of my mobile phones to capture some videos for me.As I trust him, I hand over my mobile phone to him and he promised to return it after finishing his job.But two -three days later when he didn’t return my mobile, I tired to contact him,found that his mobile was switched off.I didn’t remember his home address.I was at my wits end.After waiting for a week,I informed the police.Though it was not a strong Case because I willingly gave my mobile to him,they considered the case seriously.I later learnt that the guy involved in white color crime and earlier police booked him on several charges.
My source are also my friends.They trust me a lot and without any hesitation they pass vital information to me and I always prefer to go undercover for my assignment their knowledge of the darker side of the society come as a handy.I believe that a good investigative reporter can not reveal his source.He prefer to go to jail rather than reveal their identity.As an investigative reporter first I try to built up confidence and then persuade persons to talk on camera.I tell them that I have nothing to do with their criminal activity or criminal background but I try to highlight their plight-they trust me a lot and openly tell their story on camera.Despite my best effort to built a co-ordial relation with them,sometimes they put me in trouble.Here, I want to recall one incident where I was compelled to take action against one of my contacts.Few years ago,my source a husky guy came over my office and struck up conversation with me and pull pranks-then he told me that he needed one of my mobile phones to capture some videos for me.As I trust him, I hand over my mobile phone to him and he promised to return it after finishing his job.But two -three days later when he didn’t return my mobile, I tired to contact him,found that his mobile was switched off.I didn’t remember his home address.I was at my wits end.After waiting for a week,I informed the police.Though it was not a strong Case because I willingly gave my mobile to him,they considered the case seriously.I later learnt that the guy involved in white color crime and earlier police booked him on several charges.
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