What was your first job as a journalist?
At Asia Times, in Bangkok, 1995. I'd done some editorial work before.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! And I was a hell of a fast typist.
How is social media changing news?
For the worse, I'm afraid. It's gutted of budgets for foreign correspondents, and it seems to be making consumers of news stupider.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Neelamani "Neal" Sampat
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Two words: Fouth Estate. Your job is to curb the power of the other three estates--and occasionally to entertain, but only occasionally.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
My signature:
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I usually do the pitching, and the answer I prefer is "That sounds great, may we pay you a lot for it?"
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Pen, paper, digital recorder, digital camera, word processor, diet Coke.
What's your favorite social network?
Of late, I've been seeking to reduce my presence on social media on the grounds that these technologies are not as promising as I'd hoped.
Who do you wish followed you?
At Asia Times? They seem to have done fine without me.
Why did you become a journalist?
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't go to high school, but if I had, I probably would have.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Probably my story about the unread Soviet archives held by Pavel Stroilov and Vladimir Bukovsky. Lots of other candidates, though.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Find a new model for selling your work: The old one is collapsing. You'll have to reinvent the profession. And proofread. Twice.
When's the best time to pitch you?
It won't do you much good, since I'm not an editor.
