Journalism Transcription Tool — Free Interview Transcription for Reporters
Transcribe interviews, press conferences, and source quotes instantly. Free interview transcription tool for journalists, reporters, and news writers. No signup required.
How to Transcribe Interviews (4 Steps)
- 1.Play your recording: Use headphones to play your interview audio or press conference recording.
- 2.Click Start: Enable your microphone and select the language of the interview.
- 3.Re-speak the audio: Listen and repeat what you hear clearly. This gives better accuracy than direct audio transcription.
- 4.Extract quotes: Copy usable quotes directly into your article. Mark speaker names and timestamps.
Free Interview Transcription Tool
Works in your browser. No sign-up. Audio processed locally.
Transcript
Tip: Keep the tab focused, use a good microphone, and speak clearly. Accuracy depends on your browser and device.
Why Journalists Use Voice Transcription
Meet Deadlines Faster
Stop replaying audio 10 times. Transcribe interviews in real-time and start writing immediately. File stories hours faster.
Accurate Quotes
Get exact quotes with correct attribution. No more misquoting sources. Verify what was actually said word-for-word.
Source Protection
Everything runs in your browser. No audio uploaded to servers. Protect confidential sources and sensitive interviews.
Free Forever
No subscription fees. Unlimited transcriptions. Perfect for freelance journalists and small newsrooms on tight budgets.
What Journalists Transcribe
Interview Recordings
One-on-one interviews with sources. Phone interviews, Zoom calls, in-person conversations. Extract key quotes for your story.
Press Conferences
Transcribe politician statements, CEO announcements, and official briefings. Get exact wording for breaking news stories.
Court Proceedings
Trial coverage, verdict statements, lawyer arguments. Accurate legal quotes for court reporting.
Podcast & Radio Segments
Turn audio content into written articles. Transcribe radio shows, podcasts, or broadcast interviews for text-based stories.
Pro Tips for Interview Transcription
✓Best Practices:
- • Use headphones: Listen clearly to audio while re-speaking for transcription
- • Mark timestamps: Note time codes for important quotes (e.g., "5:32 - quote about policy")
- • Label speakers: Add speaker names manually (e.g., "Mayor Smith: ...")
- • Transcribe as you interview: For phone interviews, transcribe live in real-time
- • Focus on usable quotes: Don't transcribe filler words or off-topic rambling
✗Common Mistakes:
- • Don't rely on auto-transcription of recordings (accuracy too low for journalism)
- • Don't transcribe everything word-for-word (focus on quotable material)
- • Don't forget to verify spelling of names and places
- • Don't leave out context around quotes (note what question was asked)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do journalists transcribe interviews quickly?
Play the recording with headphones, then re-speak what you hear into the transcription tool. This "re-speaking" method is faster and more accurate than automatic audio transcription. Many journalists transcribe live during phone interviews.
Is this tool better than Otter.ai for journalists?
For re-speaking interviews, yes. This tool is free with unlimited use, runs in your browser (more secure), and doesn't require uploading sensitive source recordings to external servers. Perfect for investigative journalism.
Can I transcribe phone interviews in real-time?
Yes! During the call, enable the tool and repeat key quotes as they're said. This creates a live transcript. Review and clean up immediately after the call ends. Great for breaking news deadlines.
Does this work for press conferences in other languages?
Yes! Select the language from the dropdown (Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, and 25+ more). Perfect for foreign correspondents and multilingual newsrooms.
How do I identify different speakers in the transcript?
Manually add speaker labels as you transcribe. Say or type "John Smith:" before their quotes, "Reporter:" for your questions. This keeps attribution clear for fact-checking and editing.
Related Resources
Start Transcribing Interviews Now
Free for journalists. No signup. Unlimited interviews. Try it above ↑