Amar Patel
London
As seen in:
Microsoft Developer Blogs,
BBC,
SAGE Publishing,
Substack,
BiggerPockets,
PreventionWeb,
Indianapolis Business Journal,
JEMS Journal of Emergency Medical Services,
The Indianapolis Recorder,
Mining Engineering
and
Covers:
travel, science, journalism, overseas property, culture, media, arts and culture, sports, luxury
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Editorial assistant for A Place in the Sun magazine.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, years ago while working on that school paper. I think that was the point at which I developed my heavy-handedness. I assault keyboards.
How is social media changing news?
The media is more accountable; a good thing. SM also offers exciting new ways to source stories and collaborate with the public.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Lois Lane: smart enough to know better; stupid enough not to care.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Curiosity. Empathy. Articulacy. Integrity. Rigour. Balls.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
A brief email with one reason why that story is unique and essential to my readers.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Storify, Google (the gateway, of course). My HTC which is pc, dictaphone and camera.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter because it challenges us, if we accept that challenge of course, to be simple yet profound in an instant.
Who do you wish followed you?
Prince.
Why did you become a journalist?
To make sense of the world – one piece at a time.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did. I was the sports editor. Our newspaper was commended in the Daily Telegraph national schools competition. Appetite whet.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Probably the Wenger interview – a brilliant man – but my Bittorrent file-sharing scoop at the start of my career was a major spur.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Master your craft. Enjoy it.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.