Journalism?

Like most schools we have a school newspaper. The students interview teachers and students about a variety of different things. Sports, clubs, "controversial" issues (is block scheduling good?) etc. Last year I was interviewed a few times for various things. The students who did the interviewing did a good job I thought.

This year things are very different. I've been interviewed twice. Both times I got an email with a list of questions that I was to type my response to and send back. Now I think this is a problem. First of all it becomes homework for me. Typing thoughtful responses is more difficult than simply talking with a student. Isn't one of the skills of journalism asking questions and taking down the responses? Condensing them and double checking that you have quotes correct? I think it is a shame that these students are allowed to do all email interviews rather than do one in person.