What was your first job as a journalist?
Intern at The Vancouver Courier. It was a great adventure and learning experience.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes.
How is social media changing news?
It complements news stories and diversify perspectives (good/bad). It also adds real people/real time angle which are very interesting.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Rita Skeeter from The Harry Potter Series - she exemplifies everything you shouldn't be/do. She's a cautionary tale.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
You are the voice of the voiceless, a mediator of stories. You have the chance to change the course of history through excellent reportage.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I always prefer pitching my own stories and chasing them. However, on slow news days, I take whatever stories and make them work.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Burli, Web Browser (Chrome, internet explorer, etc.), Adobe Audition, Premiere, GV Stratus, iNews, ENPS, Zoom Recorder, Wordpress, Tweetdeck
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Oprah Winfrey- she revolutionized broadcasting.
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to tell stories and diversify the existing narratives esp. from the perspective of an immigrant, POC in the age of hate and bigotry.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did, I was the Feature/Literary Editor of the paper.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm currently working on a 2-episode podcast about the lives of immigrant/refugees LGBTQ2+ in Vancouver. The stories are compelling.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be a nice, kind, and open person. Everything else, you can learn on the job.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime. The news don't stop and interesting stories happen everyday.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A colleague once did a feature story about a code-switch that a drag queen uses to navigate her life in the gay community.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A guy once called and pitched that we do a TV story about his body mods that he bought off the internet and installed himself.
What's your favorite drink?
Bellini. All the way.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading a book/magazine - electronic or physical.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New Yorker.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I do general beat, people just think it's "whatever". Also, sometimes, people don't think there's not enough newsworthy stuff in B.C.
