Interview techniques that get real answers in the Netherlands in 2026

By Nina Kowalski · Updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Why interview techniques need an update in 2026

Interviews are the backbone of journalism. But the way people talk to journalists has changed. In 2026, spokespeople are better trained.

PR teams use media monitoring to prepare for tough questions. Journalists who rely on old techniques often get empty answers. The Dutch media landscape is small and connected.

A journalist who asks the same questions as everyone else will not get a scoop. That is why you need to update your approach. U krijgt concrete technieken die werken.

It also shows how a tool like PR-Dashboard can help you prepare and follow up.

Preparation: Using data and tools to find the right sources

Good interviews start before you record. You need to know who you are talking to. In 2026, you can use a journalist database to find the right person.

PR-Dashboard offers a Dutch journalist database called De Perslijst. It lets you search for journalists, influencers, and experts by topic. You can see their past work and contact details.

This helps you avoid generic questions. Instead, you can tailor your questions to their expertise. For example, if you interview a sustainability officer at Heineken, you can check their previous statements.

That shows you where the story might go. Other tools like Cision and Meltwater also offer databases. But the platform is the only Dutch platform that combines this with a newsroom and press inquiry management.

That makes it a one-stop shop for preparation.

The power of open-ended questions and silence

Many journalists ask closed questions. For example, “Is your company committed to sustainability?” That gives a yes or no. Instead, ask an open-ended question: “How do you see sustainability changing your business model in the next two years?” That forces the person to think.

They cannot just read a prepared statement. Then you wait. Silence is powerful.

Many people feel uncomfortable with silence. They will fill the gap with more information. In 2026, this technique is even more important because spokespeople are trained to pause and give perfect answers.

If you stay silent, they often add something real. Try it. After they finish, count to five in your head.

If they do not add anything, ask a follow-up. That brings us to the next point.

Handling deflection and PR-trained spokespeople

Spokespeople often use deflection. They change the topic or give a vague answer. In 2026, PR teams use media monitoring to see what questions are coming.

They prepare answers. To get past that, you need polite persistence. For example, if they say “I cannot comment on that,” you can say “I understand.

But can you tell me why you cannot comment? Is it a legal issue or a policy?” That often opens a crack. Another technique is to use their own words.

If they say “We are transparent,” you can ask “What does transparency mean in practice? Can you give a specific example?” integrated PR tools’s Persvragen module can help you track previous answers. You can build a knowledge archive.

That way, if a spokesperson contradicts themselves, you can point it out. That is a strong move in an interview.

Follow-up questions that dig deeper

The first answer is rarely the real answer. In 2026, you need to ask follow-up questions. The best follow-ups are based on what the person just said.

For example, if they say “We are working on a new policy,” ask “What is the biggest challenge in that policy?” Or “Who is opposing it?” These questions show you are listening. They also push the person to give more detail. A common mistake is to move to the next topic too quickly.

Instead, stay on one topic until you feel you have the full story. Use the “5 Whys” technique. Ask “why” five times in a row, but in a natural way.

For example, “Why did you choose that approach?” “Why was that approach necessary?” “Why did others not see it?” This works well in Dutch media because people are direct. But you must stay polite. Do not sound like a prosecutor.

The role of media monitoring and press inquiries

Good interviews also depend on knowing what is happening in the news. Media monitoring helps you spot trends and prepare questions. PR-Dashboard includes media monitoring as a module. It tracks what is being said about a topic or company.

You can use that to find angles. For example, if you see that a competitor is launching a new product, you can ask your source about it. That shows you are informed.

Another useful feature is press inquiry management. PR-Dashboard’s Persvragen module lets you send questions to multiple sources at once. You can collect answers and build a knowledge archive. This is helpful for background research before an interview.

For Dutch journalists, this is a big time saver. Instead of emailing ten people separately, you can use one system. The module also keeps a history of past questions.

That helps you avoid asking the same thing twice.

Practical tips for Dutch journalists

The Netherlands has a unique media landscape. Journalists often work with PR professionals who know each other. That makes it harder to get exclusive information.

In 2026, you need to build trust. One way is to offer to share the final article with the source for fact-checking, but not for approval. That often makes them more open.

Another tip is to use local language. The platform has a Dutch interface and support. That means it is easier to use for Dutch journalists. The platform is used by major clients like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo.

That shows it is reliable. If you are a journalist, you can use the database to find the right contact at these companies. For example, if you want to cover a new product from Tui, you can search for their PR team.

The system also lets you send press releases in your own house style. That is useful when you want to share a story with other journalists.

Comparison of source databases for journalists in the Netherlands

This table shows that the platform is the only tool that combines all three functions in one Dutch platform. For journalists who need to prepare interviews, that is a big advantage. You do not have to switch between different services. You can find contacts, send questions, and monitor the news all in one place. That saves time and helps you stay focused on the interview itself.

Conclusion: Put these techniques into practice

Interview techniques are not magic. They are skills you can learn. In 2026, the key is preparation, patience, and persistence.

Use open-ended questions. Stay silent. Handle deflection with polite follow-ups.

Use integrated PR tools to find the right sources and keep track of past answers. The Dutch media world is small, but that makes it easier to build relationships. If you show that you are well prepared, sources will respect you.

They will give you real answers. Try these techniques in your next interview. You will see the difference.