Borni Franklin

I didn’t start in a big newsroom, but I treated every article like it mattered, which helped me build consistency and confidence over time.

No. My work has always been created digitally using modern publishing, research, and content management tools rather than traditional typewriters.

Social media has fundamentally changed news by making it faster, more interactive, and more accessible—but also more challenging to verify. Today, many people discover breaking news through platforms like X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram before they ever visit a traditional news website. That speed allows important events to spread in real time, often with eyewitness photos and videos that weren't possible in the past. At the same time, the same systems that amplify accurate information can also amplify misinformation, misleading headlines, and content designed to generate clicks rather than inform. Algorithms tend to prioritize engagement, meaning emotionally charged or controversial posts often receive greater visibility regardless of their accuracy. For independent publishers like me, social media has also changed how audiences consume educational content. Rather than relying solely on search engines, readers increasingly discover guides, research, and resources through short videos, posts, and recommendations shared across social platforms. That makes it even more important to create content that is well-researched, transparent, and genuinely helpful. Ultimately, I see social media as a powerful distribution tool rather than a replacement for journalism or research. It excels at helping people discover information quickly, but the responsibility still lies with publishers and readers to verify sources, provide context, and distinguish evidence-based reporting from opinion, speculation, or viral misinformation.

Clark Kent. He's the classic example of a journalist who values truth, integrity, and using information to help people—even if he has a few extraordinary advantages outside the newsroom.

To me, being a journalist means researching thoroughly, verifying facts, providing context, and presenting information accurately and fairly so people can make informed decisions. Whether reporting news or publishing educational content, the responsibility is the same: prioritize truth, transparency, and the public interest over sensationalism or speculation.

I don't have a single favorite, but hashtags like #Breaking, #FakeNews, and #JournalismProblems often lead to some of the funniest—and most self-aware—conversations about the news industry.

I prefer concise email pitches that clearly explain the story idea, why it's timely, why it's relevant to my audience, and include any supporting research, data, or expert sources. Personalized pitches that align with home safety, aging in place, home security, consumer education, or digital resources are always appreciated.

I primarily use WordPress for publishing, Google Workspace for research and collaboration, SEO and keyword research tools, web analytics platforms, AI-assisted research and writing tools, spreadsheet software for organizing data, graphic design tools for visual content, and web development technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and SQL to build and manage my websites.

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I'd love to connect with more researchers, industry experts, healthcare professionals, home safety specialists, accessibility advocates, and experienced practitioners who share evidence-based insights. Learning from knowledgeable voices helps me create more accurate, practical, and trustworthy resources for my readers.

I became a journalist and independent publisher because I enjoy researching complex topics and turning them into practical, trustworthy information that helps people make better decisions. My goal has always been to educate, not just inform.

No, I did not work for my high school newspaper. My interest in research, writing, and publishing developed independently through personal projects and self-directed learning. Over time, I became increasingly interested in researching topics, creating educational content, and building websites that help people make informed decisions. That interest eventually led me to launch and manage independent publishing platforms focused on home security, senior living, consumer resources, and practical problem-solving. While I didn't begin my publishing journey through a school newspaper, the experience of researching, writing, editing, and managing my own publications has provided valuable hands-on experience in content creation and digital publishing.

I'm most proud of the research-driven guides I've written on aging in place and home safety. Knowing that the information can help seniors, caregivers, and homeowners make safer, more informed decisions is far more rewarding than chasing clicks or trends.

My advice to aspiring journalists is to focus on accuracy, curiosity, and serving the reader before anything else. It's easy to get caught up chasing traffic, trends, or publishing as much content as possible, but long-term credibility comes from doing the research and getting the facts right. Ask questions, verify information, and always look beyond the first source you find. I also believe it's important to write in a way that ordinary people can understand. Expertise isn't about using complicated language—it's about making complex topics clear and useful. Finally, choose topics you genuinely care about. Whether you're covering home security, senior living, technology, politics, or local news, your curiosity will show in your work. The best journalism often starts with a simple desire to understand something better and help others do the same. Build trust first. Traffic, recognition, and opportunities tend to follow.

Email is the best way to reach me. I review pitches throughout the week, and concise, well-researched ideas that align with home safety, home security, aging in place, senior living, consumer education, or digital resources are the most likely to get my attention.

I don't have a single favorite. The pitches that stand out are those that present original research, credible data, or a unique expert perspective on home safety, aging in place, home security, or consumer education. The best ones are concise, evidence-based, and clearly explain why the topic matters to readers.

One of the funniest pitches I ever received claimed to have an "exclusive, life-changing story" that was supposedly perfect for my home safety audience. When I opened it, it turned out to be a press release for luxury dog sunglasses. It was creative, but I'm still trying to figure out how that was meant to fit a home security article!

Hennessy—it's my go-to drink when I'm relaxing.

When I'm not at a computer, I'm usually reading, researching, brainstorming new content ideas, or spending time caring for my lop rabbits. Those offline moments often inspire the practical guides and educational resources I create.

I enjoy reading a mix of publications rather than relying on a single source. I regularly follow research organizations, government resources, and trusted industry publications covering home safety, consumer technology, accessibility, and digital security to stay informed and keep my content accurate and practical.

One of the biggest misconceptions about my work is that it's simply about recommending products or publishing articles. In reality, my focus is research and education. Whether I'm covering home security, aging in place, senior living, accessibility, rabbit care, or consumer technology, the goal is to help readers understand why something matters, evaluate their options objectively, and make informed decisions based on practical evidence rather than marketing claims. Another common misconception is that these topics are only relevant when a problem arises. In fact, many of the best outcomes come from prevention—improving home safety before an accident, strengthening home security before a burglary, planning for aging in place before mobility becomes a challenge, or learning proper rabbit care before bringing a pet home. Across all of my publishing platforms, my mission is to translate complex research into clear, trustworthy, and actionable information that everyday people can understand and use with confidence.