It has been one of the core activities of the jobbing reporter since newspapers came into being. The most direct means of interrogating the subject of any potential story has always been to find out where they live – or, failing that, work – and then approach them there for comment. This is what is known, to use the succinct industry term, as ‘a door knock’.

Villains, heroes, ‘pantsdown’ politicians: all fair game for a door knock. But technology has changed this essential journalistic function

Villains, heroes, ‘pantsdown’ politicians: all fair game for a door knock. But technology has changed this essential journalistic function

It became and remained a staple activity of news reporting because it was a shortcut affording immediate and direct access to almost any potential source (barring those who had staff to open their doors for them). Admittedly those who carried out the knocks – hacks – were unloved or even despised but with the element of surprise they could often secure a key quote – and might every now and then even be welcomed in for a full interview.

Villains, love cheats, heroes, ‘pantsdown’ politicians: all fair game for a door knock. But lately, technology has begun to change the nature of this most essential journalistic function: the widespread adoption of the Ring doorbell has altered the dynamic.

Ring doorbells allow people to see who is at their door without having to open it, which in turn means there is no longer that critical moment........

© The Spectator