The following are topics ISANS does not comment on:

• Client/Staff/Representative personal information
• An immigrants first (insert holiday here)
• Refugees in the first 6 months of their settlement (unless they move forward with it themselves)

The following are a list of considerations to keep in mind:

• One newcomer does not speak for all newcomers. It is important to tell stories reflecting different individual’s experiences.
• Identifying clients to speak on a particular topic or subject matter can take time to arrange and can’t always be done on short notice. The more time you give us the better we are able to accommodate your request.
• Journalists are responsible for covering the cost of interpretation if it is needed for an interview. Rates for interpretation start at $50 for up to 2 hours and can be arranged through ISANS.
• Interviews that require interpretation take time to organize, as we have to identify and schedule a time that works for the journalist, the client, and the interpreter. Occasionally, that time may fall outside of regular office hours.
• Interviews with interpretation can take almost twice as long as a regular interview, be sure to plan accordingly.
• When doing an interview with an interpreter, be sure to use clear questions and pause often
• When doing an interview with an interpreter, speak to the person you are interviewing not the person interpreting.
• Use trauma informed approach – newcomers may have experienced traumatic events in the past that they are not comfortable speaking about. Do not push them to answer questions they are not comfortable answering.