The criteria for special is met if you do a personal, phone or email interview even if you have used a press release for part of the story. Because you did an interview to enhance a story, it qualifies as special. That is as simple as 1 2 3. No? Some interviews may have to be done to collaborate information, confirm something that was missing or in other cases to get a quote to liven up copy a little bit.
Further, those who do primary reporting including interviews, rather than aggregating multiple stories, I'd assume those would likely produce a story that can be called special if it includes the extra effort criteria. That is what I learned from the chiefs of staff here. Hope that helps. Thought I'd help clarify the confusion over this but I am sure someone higher up will clarify this further. The other day I had a press release from the FAA about those pilots. But the letters of reprimand were not included online or the emailed press release. I telephoned Washington and there was no answer. Then I emailed them and got the letters sent by email. That did not qualify as a special. But I am a journalist, and despite the fact that the extra effort and the monetary expense of leaving a message on their phone probably exceeds what i will make from the story, I still made the effort. But that is not extra effort.
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