On building rapports and interacting with the masses

And then they said, follow wherever your feet take you. The footprints of the masses’ in the long walk to fight the oppressors and oppression are those that journalists most commonly follow. Every day, new stories are constantly being made and it is a journalist’s job to go out and find these stories and amplify the masses’ stories.

True to its obligation to the truth and serve the people, journalists’ stories are most commonly found in the busy streets, in the alleys of the wet market rather than the palaces and tall buildings. The stories of reality come from the communities targeted for demolition, not from the expensive villages.

With that, journalists interact with the masses most of the time. Unlike the transactional conversation with officials, when journalists ask about technical matters, talking to the masses requires more empathy

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Find common ground.

Relating to another person by identifying a shared experience, trait, or opinion is a good way to find common ground. This type of empathy is an important tool for connecting with another individual, as it demonstrates an understanding of their feelings and past experiences.

Actively listen.

Active listening means giving your full attention to someone who is speaking. It’s an important communication skill, as it encourages openness and honesty. Active listening helps foster a conversational atmosphere and leads to effective communication. If someone feels like you are hearing them, they will likely listen to you in return, which can establish a good relationship and build great rapport.

When you ask follow-up questions during a conversation, you demonstrate interest in the speaker’s point of view. This reveals that you're listening closely and want to know more. Asking questions can eliminate uncomfortable small talk and help you get into more meaningful conversations.

Mind your body language.

Nonverbal communication is central to building rapport. Pay attention to your nonverbal cues and mannerisms—body posture, eye contact, facial expressions. When someone is speaking to you, face them, make comfortable eye contact, and mirror their expressions as they speak. This shows that you are tuned in to their feelings. Be wary of body language that signals disinterest; looking at your phone or the clock can indicate that you have no authentic interest in the person who is speaking to you, which can be detrimental to both personal and working relationships.

Let them share.

Most of the time, people have a lot to say for one question. Nothing from the masses is considered oversharing. More than their insights or statements over social issues, community journalists probe. And probing comes from the masses’ direct experiences towards a particular issue.

Loosen up.

As much as possible, break the walls between you and the interviewee. Engage in the most casual conversation to build enough trust for them to open up. The masses are distant whenever they are pressured that they have to answer your questions right. Being in a more casual and friendly conversation cracks them open to share their experiences to you.

Rapport is an important factor in community journalism because it allows us to connect and build relationships with the people. It promotes connection with others on a personal level, and it helps establish comfortable living and working environments. Establishing empathy with a source, showing that you appreciate what they have been through, is key to establishing baseline trust with them — especially if you experience the world in an entirely different way than they do.

Journalism is not typically a matter of life and death, but it is as much a listening profession as medicine. In telling stories, we care for our communities, just as doctors help ensure the health of our bodies.