Why do Interviewers talk over Interviewees ?

Intelligent debate had gone down the drain. Interviews from the 60s or 70s I see on YouTube show how basic manners have deteriorated.

I now listen to Radio Ireland, where the interviewers not only give people the right amount of time to respond, but have a light touch, not so aggressive as here,

So glad that others agree with me re the Today programme. I've lost count of the times I have switched it off because of the constant interruptions. They do not give the politicians a chance to reply.
I did it again this morning when one of the women presenters was supposedly interviewing Nigel Farage. Radio unlike TV cannot be muted for 5 minutes until the next segment begins, so normally the radio remains silent whilst |I eat my breakfast.

Basically, those who interrupt are just plain rude and usually tend to have an ego to match their bad manners. 'Sorry to interrupt'? In your dreams. I do so much switching off these days. Very frustrating when the topic really interests me. Ugh!

I'm not surprised interviewers need to interrupt because most politicians don't answer the question as put. They waffle and divert. The prime complaint from audiences is that interviewers let politicians get away with it. Bruce sometimes intervenes to challenge 'facts' stated by politicians and she is often right.

Grantanow

I'm not surprised interviewers need to interrupt because most politicians don't answer the question as put. They waffle and divert. The prime complaint from audiences is that interviewers let politicians get away with it. Bruce sometimes intervenes to challenge 'facts' stated by politicians and she is often right.

Agreed. Interviewers dont get it right all the time but in short interviews they are just trying to get politicians to ask what I often want to find out not put up with a waffle.

Longer interviews are different but the job is still to get the difficult questions answered.

There is a female presenter on local radio who continually interrupts interviewees, particular those who are not members of the political party she supports. Those of the same political leaning as her are allowed to speak for as long as they like (even over-running so the news is late)

Sparklefizz

Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast is one of the worst. I can't stand her.

I totally agree, along with Charlie Stayt who irritates me so much too. I don’t watch BBC news when they’re presenting.

I so agree, it’s the Fiona Bruce show now, she spoils it for me. The show isn’t about her and I’ve noticed too re the Conservative people.

I'd call it "The Question Time" effect. That regularly descends into a chaos of screech-owls.

But - even worse - "The Moral Maze". Michael Buerk couldn't keep any semblance of control to save his life.

D'you think they take their cue from Donald Trump?

I wonder why commentators have to be outside in a noisy busy street with public milling around when this has no relevance to the subject being reported on.

Marmin

I suspect it might be a reaction to interviewees that are clearly not answering the question.

This. Politicians have been specifically trained to sidestep the questions and ‘answer’ on their own terms. It obviously works given the responses here. Interviewers such as Naga Munchetty do their level best to hold them to account.

I think interviewers often talk over interviewees just to get them to shut up or actually answer the question as they ramble on and on repeating the same bland statements over and over again. I think Laura Kuenssberg is a good interviewer, she interrupts to tell her targets that they're repeating themselves or they're not answering the question or she doesn't want to hear about the opposite party just their own party's plans.
I agree about Naga M. don't like her at all and think she really does not like her co-host Charlie S. , she seems to try to put him down or rolls her eyes at things he says etc. Imo she thinks she's better than him and is a bit of a bully.

I caught a conservative politician talking on the radio this morning but didn't catch who, and when asked a question about his views, he actually said I want to concentrate on the £2000 extra tax that Labour will make the public pay. I just wish they would answer questions that they are asked. I think I would interupt if they wanted to skirt the question all the time.

I think Susanna Reid is the worst at this it infuriates me.

In my opinion, Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson on the Today programme are the very worst interviewers for interupting and giving their own opinions instead of listening to the interviewee ?sp. Nick also has the added irritating habit of saying 'forgive me' a lot. Cannot make up my mind about Emma Barnett on 'Today' yet, as I didn't like her on Woman's Hour but that may have been because I loved listening to Jenny Murray and Anita Rani.....rant over.

Interviewers often don't care about the listener they just want to hear themselves. Puerile questions is also a hate of mine and most are! We often turn off when that happens. Machette is very bad and we don't listen to her any more.

I think it is probably why lots of people are turning to long form podcasts and the like. I havent listened to the Today programme in a couple of years, and abandoned question time years ago, the format doesn't give any chance to properly explore issues.

Loved Emma Barnett on Woman's Hour and like her on Today. The politicians, unless interrupted, will invariably give their rehearsed speech about their party's marvellous achievements, or the opposition's lack of coherence, rather than answering the question. If you want to know all this, read their manifesto, the interviewer's job is to ask them about all the stuff they'd like to hide under the carpet. If they refuse to do so and revert to that script again, I get furious if they're allowed to wriggle out of inconvenient truths. Keep interrupting them! I know the oft repeated party lines, skewer them about reality please 🤣

They do it because interviewees want to turn an interview into a party political broadcast, saying what they want to say even if it has nothing to do with the question they were asked. Or if they think that their answer may not be what people want to hear.
I've got no objection to an interviewer keeping an interviewee to the questions that they are asked.

The worst are Lorraine Kelly, Laura Kuensberg & the blonde panelist on Jeremy Vine!? The ultimate in rudeness! I switch off - cannot listen -
Disgraceful behaviour

cc

They do it because interviewees want to turn an interview into a party political broadcast, saying what they want to say even if it has nothing to do with the question they were asked. Or if they think that their answer may not be what people want to hear.
I've got no objection to an interviewer keeping an interviewee to the questions that they are asked.

Absolutely agree.

Have really gone off Emma Barnett on the Today programme. She has joined the other hecklers. I want to hear what the interviewee has to say not pre drafted questions designed to gleefully ridicule. When the interviewee does answer, miraculously they have run out of time. Very right wing bias anyway. You can’t comment on the Today programme on Facebook any more. I’m guessing that is because of complaints. Fiona Bruce should stick to the Antiques Roadshow. Best presenter is Victoria Derbyshire on Question time.

Sparklefizz

Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast is one of the worst. I can't stand her.

Nor me- hate the bbc hence no license

maytime2

So glad that others agree with me re the Today programme. I've lost count of the times I have switched it off because of the constant interruptions. They do not give the politicians a chance to reply.
I did it again this morning when one of the women presenters was supposedly interviewing Nigel Farage. Radio unlike TV cannot be muted for 5 minutes until the next segment begins, so normally the radio remains silent whilst |I eat my breakfast.

Yes poor Nigel always gets interrupted but he always stands his ground 🙄 he wipes the floor with the person interviewing him- unlike rishi who looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights

I was watching the D Day commemorative programme this morning and was disgusted that the commentator thought it appropriate to rabbit over the blessing being given by the bishop (?). There were no doubt veteran service personnel who would have been watching, rather than being there in person, who I've no doubt, would be finding the occasion very emotional. We didn't need to be told what was happening - it was blindingly obvious.