Athira Elssa Johnson
Verified
(She/Her)
Chennai, Kerala, Punjab
As seen in:
The Hindu,
Flipboard,
Royal Society of Chemistry,
The New Indian Express,
EIN News,
The News Minute,
Citizen Matters,
Esta bien, no estar bien.
Covers:
Health, Environment, Civic, Education, Disability Justice, Infrastructure, Economy, Dissent and protest movements
Sr. Reporter @thehindu
Write/ pitch @ ✉️ athira.elssa@thehindu.co.in
-DR-TB & TB survivor-
masscomm/multimedia/
muckrack.com/athira-elssa-johnson
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Features and fun stories on hangouts and recreation.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Not a functional one. I am constantly looking ways to make it affordable to me.
How is social media changing news?
It can help in giving more information and platforms for discourse, but along with that comes the risk of misinformation and hate too. Nevertheless, we get to make our space and I know that communities connect.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I like angry journalists in movies. By that I mean, journalists who are angry about issues around them.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's documenting truth. The thought that I can document something and it can stay even after me is mind-boggling.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
It is case based and I need more context to this question.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use editing softwares to compile my videos. I write of Ms Word like in old times and there's not a lot of new tools I subscribe too.
What's your favorite social network?
don't want to give names. But networks that helped me connect to communities while I was in long term isolation due to health issues are my favorites.
Who do you wish followed you?
I am happy with any new follower.
Why did you become a journalist?
As a DR-TB survivor I know the importance of lived experiences and being a journalist , I get to document them. I love to keep things recorded, especially in video forms. Journalism is all I know.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Founder of Campus Newspaper/Student Voice Publisher
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Stories on accessibility. And experiences with Drug-resistant tuberculosis.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Trust your instincts. If you feel something is off, your feeling is right. It's okay to take breaks . There shouldn't be any hierarchy in power in this industry, and if they make you feel like it, move on to better places.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Anything on people's movements and Justice
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Something on the foundation of hate and evil intentions to spew hate against marginalised communities.
What's your favorite drink?
It's Kattanchaya. Black tea. And this keeps changing, but at this very moment it's Kattanchaya
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In a forest-farm where my mother works in.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I do not follow any institution, but do like work of some people I follow. So it's different publications .
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
My beat is Health And this beat is not about the capitalist idea of wellness cultures, it's more about justice .
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.