Im dont think it is all that unusual for reporters to cover the subject matter with the person they are interviwing before they go live. Generally the subject is known. I dont see anything sinister here.
Naive?
There is nothing sinister there. You’re right. When I’ve been interviewed for television I was told generally what we were going to talk about on set before hand too. It’s common practice. If the interviewer in studio doesn’t do it the producer on hand will. Again, common practice.