Claudia Gross
(She/Her)
Cape Town
Covers:
News/current affairs, music, entertainment, travel, books.
Passionate about music, vinyl, and storytelling. Even more so when I can combine all 3.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing for the opinions section of my university's newspaper.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Social media is allowing everyone to be heard, bringing user-generated content to the forefront, and disrupting traditional agenda-setting.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Lois Lane
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Seeking truth, giving voice to the unheard, and holding power accountable, story by story.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
E-mail
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Grammarly, Google Workspace, Zoom, AI, WordPress, and Currents.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn
Who do you wish followed you?
Emily Maitlis
Why did you become a journalist?
I have always loved writing and been interested in the world around me. Journalism was a way of marrying these two interests.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
My high-school did not have a newsletter, but it had a monthly zine which I wrote for and helped to compile.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read widely, set Google Alerts for topics relevant to your beat to stay updated, and nurture your network.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was once asked to write three articles (each with a unique angle) on how Melania Trump decorated the White House for Christmas.
What's your favorite drink?
Guava juice
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Spending quality time with my husband and puppy.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Rolling Stone
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.