The reality is that a one-on-one conversation often results in a better understanding of what the person means.
Sure, via email there is little risk of being misquoted but there is a huge risk of being misunderstood.
As a reporter, efficiency does not trump being able to hear a person's tone, the subtleties of inflection, whether they are being sarcastic or serious. Emoticons do not allow me to write, "He chuckled to himself, then said..."