Andy Paras
Verified
As seen in:
KSEE-TV (Fresno, CA),
LinkedIn,
rebelmouse.com,
Muck Rack Blog,
Post and Courier,
WJLA-TV (Arlington, VA),
NewsBreak,
WPEC-TV (West Palm Beach, FL),
WBMA-TV (Birmingham, AL),
WKRC-TV (Cincinnati, OH),
KTVZ-TV (Bend, OR)
and
Covers:
social media, breaking news, charleston
News Director, @fox55fortwayne. Past: @mycbs4 @abcnews4 @postandcourier. @ballstate alum. Welcome great story ideas: aparas@wfft.com
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
General assignment reporter for The Northern Virginia Daily in Strasburg, Va. Wrote stories during the day, often designed pages at night.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, in high school typing class (which anyone who wants to be a writer should take). I don't think I seriously used one before or since.
How is social media changing news?
Everything moves so much faster now.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I know Lester Bangs was a real person yet his character on "Almost Famous" is the reason I've watched that movie more than once.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#SNOMG - pretty much captures the feeling when snow touches down in South Carolina.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
@sepinwall - He's so good at what he does it's unreal.
Why did you become a journalist?
I wrote well. I questioned authority. I loved newspapers. I knew what I wanted to do in high school and never looked back.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I wrote stories my junior year. My senior year I was given an entire page in our local paper to fill with content on high school issues.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be relevant.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.