Aigerim Turgunbaeva
As seen in:
MSN,
MSN UK,
The New York Times,
Reuters,
Reuters Japan,
Terra,
The Guardian,
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News Australia,
Yahoo News Malaysia
and
Covers:
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, social, political, and economic issues
Journalist focusing on Central Asia
Words: The Guardian, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Eurasianet, The Diplomat, CABAR asia
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
It was the story of a famous citizen of the country
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
In Kyrgyzstan, social networks have made a third coup d'etat
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Molly Ball
What does it mean to be a journalist?
I do a lot of social projects as a journalist. For me being a journalist means being responsible to my fellow citizens
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Very funny hashtags put by Trevor Noah
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
As a fair journalist
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I write in standard programs
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
I would like readers from different countries to follow me
Why did you become a journalist?
I live in Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country where there is a lot of injustice and a lot of good people. Especially a lot of injustice against women. Journalism for me has become a tool to fight injustice
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was the editor of the school newspaper
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
In the summer of 2020, Kyrgyzstan saw the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. We have lost a lot of people, the government was not able to prepare for this global disaster. Then our people, the Kyrgyz people have rallied together to help each other. Many became volunteers, migrants sent aid to Kyrgyzstan. So we were able to survive. I interviewed volunteers and wrote about the dedication of our people. I am proud of this work
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't be afraid to start writing and you will be heard
When's the best time to pitch you?
Afternoon
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Storytelling and interviews
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
That was 10 years ago. The editor rejected my idea to cover the work of the National Museum of Kyrgyzstan
What's your favorite drink?
Tea
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
at University
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Time, Politico, The Diplomat, Al Jazeera, The Washington Post,
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The mistake was that I couldn't write
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.