{"id":2734,"date":"2018-09-14T19:30:28","date_gmt":"2018-09-15T00:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.home.ona\/newsroom18\/?p=619"},"modified":"2021-06-22T18:26:24","modified_gmt":"2021-06-22T22:26:24","slug":"five-tips-reporting-like-wsjs-john-carreyrou","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists-org-develop.go-vip.co\/newsroom\/2018\/09\/14\/five-tips-reporting-like-wsjs-john-carreyrou\/","title":{"rendered":"Five tips for reporting like WSJ’s John Carreyrou"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Wall Street Journal investigative reporter John Carreyrou offers advice to journalists at an ONA panel Friday. (Nicole Defeudis\/ONA Student Newsroom)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has been about three years since Wall Street Journal investigative reporter John Carreyrou exposed biotech startup Theranos for deceptive practices. In a session at the 2018 Online News Association conference on Sept. 14, he described to journalists his reporting process while covering the scandal.<\/p>\n

Theranos, a Silicon Valley-based startup claimed it had developed a device for running various blood tests with just a drop of blood. After digging deeper, Carreyrou discovered that the tests didn\u2019t actually work.<\/p>\n

Despite much pushback and efforts by the company to conceal the truth, Carreyrou\u2019s first story on Theranos ran in October 2015. Founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes eventually relinquished her position at the company, and has been charged with criminal fraud and conspiracy.<\/p>\n

In May, he published a book<\/a> about the scandal, titled \u201cBad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup.\u201d The story is slated to become a movie<\/a> starring Jennifer Lawrence.<\/p>\n

Here are five tips from Carreyrou, a previous Pulitzer Prize winner, on conducting an investigation:<\/p>\n

1. Do your research.<\/h3>\n

Carreyrou admitted that when he jumped on the Theranos story, he didn\u2019t have much expertise on blood testing. He had to \u201cstart from scratch\u201d by talking to experts and laboratory directors at universities to brush up on his blood knowledge.<\/p>\n

During the reporting process, he had sources and lab directors explain and re-explain everything 20 times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to a point where I just knew in my heart that they [Theranos] were lying,\u201d he said. He encouraged reporters to keep returning to their sources until they are confident they understand the information received. \u201cIf you see something that seems off, you should follow your nose and try to dig more deeply,\u201d Carreyou said.<\/p>\n

For investigative work, reporters typically need a source on the inside. For him, that source was Alan Beam, a former lab director at Theranos. Carreyrou admitted that Beam was one of his most important sources for the story.<\/p>\n

2. Develop a good relationship with your editors.<\/h3>\n

An important part of the investigative process is fostering healthy relationships with editors, Carreyrou said. He encouraged reporters to find an editor who champions their work \u2014 someone who motivates them and works with them toward a a professonal goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou feel like [working on] tough investigative pieces is often like going to battle,\u201d Carreyrou said. These types of pieces are much harder to get through if an editor isn\u2019t behind you, he said.<\/p>\n

Carreyrou credited his editor Michael Siconolfi for being supportive throughout the Theranos investigation. He emphasized the importance of continuously vetting sensitive stories with editors and legal experts in the newsroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps tremendously if you bring some of the vetters under the tent early on,\u201d Carreyrou said. That way, they won\u2019t have to make tough editorial calls in the hours before deadline.<\/p>\n

3. Build trust with your sources.<\/h3>\n

Developing a rapport with sources, especially when covering sensitive issues is essential. Carreyrou said spending hours, if not, weeks and perhaps even greater amounts of time with the source “is\u00a0really is the secret to breaking the biggest stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

He suggests building relationships with sources by sharing tidbits of your own personal life. Tell them about your family; show that you are a human being. Be patient.<\/p>\n

Whatever you do, he said, don\u2019t press hard for information in the first \u2014 or even second \u2014 conversation. Instead, he advised journalists to \u201cplay a longer game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the reporting is done, it is okay to develop a friendship with a source, but early on make sure to remind them that you are not friends. That you are on the job. Keep it professional.<\/p>\n

4. Manage your stress.<\/h3>\n

Carreyrou admitted to being extremely stressed as he reported on the Theranos story. He worried most about whether Theranos\u2019s attempts to discredit his story would work. When the story was finally published, he said he felt a wave of relief.<\/p>\n

To keep sane during the reporting process, he recommends talking regularly with editors to strategize. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to be fighting a high-stakes battle on your own,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

5. Never give up.<\/h3>\n

Persistence and resilience are key to success in the newsroom, Carreyrou said. He advises journalists to be tenacious in their reporting and in their career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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