Sample interview questions: Can you provide an example of a health story you covered that required investigative reporting skills to uncover hidden information?
Sample answer:
One example of a health story I covered that required investigative reporting skills to uncover hidden information was an investigation into the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on medical research and drug approvals.
During my research, I came across a study that claimed a certain medication was highly effective in treating a specific condition. However, upon digging deeper, I found that the study was sponsored by the pharmaceutical company that manufactured the drug. This raised concerns about potential bias and conflicts of interest.
To uncover hidden information, I conducted interviews with medical experts and researchers who were not affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry. I also reviewed scientific literature and analyzed financial disclosures to identify any potential conflicts of interest among the researchers involved in the study. Additionally, I examined data from clinical trials and FDA documents to understand the full scope of the drug’s efficacy and safety profile.
Through this investigative reporting, I discovered that the pharmaceutical company had exerted significant influence over the study design, data analysis, and publication of the research. They had selectively reported data that favored their product while downplaying potential side effects and limitations. This raised serious ethical concerns about the transparency and objectivity of the research.
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