As a political correspondent for El Pais, I've learned that the key to compelling and accurate reporting is quality sourcing. Building a network of reliable and diverse sources has been vital for my reporting. I employ various techniques, from regularly attending political events, fostering relationships over time, to leveraging social media platforms to connect with more sources.
A significant example was the local election coverage last year, where my relationship with campaign insiders of both leading parties gave me exclusive insights into the campaign strategies. One source shared off-the-record information about a major policy shift that was about to occur. I was able to dig deeper, verify the information, and report accurately to our readers ahead of other publications. This incident highlighted the immense value of maintaining reliable sources in delivering vital information to our readers.