James Bamford, Investigative Reporter Journalism students receive advice on obtaining information by Cassidy Hudson While he is often the one interviewing CIA and FBI agents, James Bamford, author of the “The Shadow Factory,” discussed his own tricks of the trade for how to best retrieve secret information in investigative reporting. Bamford met with a group of journalism students at Texas A&M University on Tuesday, Oct. 14. With experience in both print and broadcast news, Bamford is considered a leading journalist in investigative reporting. Having published a variety of articles and novels exposing the inner workings of national security, Bamford discussed his methods for gathering information from some of the most secretive sources including those affiliated with the National Security Agency. “The whole idea is getting close to the source,” Bamford said. From attending national security-related conferences, organizing strategic dinner plans and even orchestrating seats on the same flight, Bamford said his techniques include spending intentional, but many times unconventional, time with sources. “The key is getting him to know you,” Bamford said. Bamford described the “care and feeding of sources” as the lengths he goes to when attempting to obtain information. He mentioned inviting himself to dinner or following a person to the same lunch table at a conference as an introductory component to developing a friendship with a source. “Sometimes I develop sources simply to develop sources,” Bamford said, noting how keeping in touch can provide him a beneficial resource for future work. He said the idea is to get a personal phone number or email address and keep in contact. Bamford explained how sending an occasional note, a friendly email or a simple lunch date helps establish a personal relationship with a potential source. When wanting to obtain information, Bamford said he prefers to take potential sources to dinner. He said he begins with a friendly and light topic of conversation such as a hobby or interest. Here, when the topic is familiar and welcoming, he asks to take notes and use a tape recorder. “I’m very liberal with the drinks,” Bamford said, adding the idea that sources divulge information best when they are relaxed and comfortable. “They have information, you want information, you do it in a friendly way,” Bamford said.

In addition to the strategic timing of starting tape recorders or purposeful mentioning of hobbies, Bamford noted the importance of taking handwritten notes. When writing long pieces, Bamford said writing with color, or setting the scene, creates the atmosphere for the story. Anything from what the source ordered at a restaurant to his tie color could be meaningful in Bamford’s writing. Beyond his process of gathering information, Bamford noted the seriousness of distinguishing between a source and target, as well as his call to protect sources. “If they are trying to feed you stuff…that’s not a source,” Bamford said. He explained that knowing the difference between a true source and an agenda-setting target is imperative for accuracy in writing. He also noted that in his career, studying encryption is essential, as well as maintaining protection of his sources. “I’ve never had a source get burnt or arrested,” Bamford said. With his thorough tactics and friendly demeanor, Bamford said the skill of developing sources could lead to more than a successful and respected career relationship, but to lasting personal relationships as well. “When I got married, my best man was an FBI agent,” Bamford said