What was your first job as a journalist?
Covering the newswire while being an overnight operator at a Toronto radio station in the early 1990s.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Absolutely! I can still smell the unique odor of Liquid paper in my mind.
How is social media changing news?
The definition of "media" is the plural of medium. Social media has blurred the lines between what is news and what is opinion.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
None come to mind
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means to understand the critical responsibility we have to share important news and information objectively, fairly and with context.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I can't think of one
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Directly, with a proper context of the ask, the expectations, deadlines and compensation. And I love new opportunities!
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Laptops, smartphones, video cameras, microphones, video editing software (Davinci Resolve), Audacity
What's your favorite social network?
I don't have a single favorite. Each have their strengths and drawbacks.
Who do you wish followed you?
I wish I was followed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Canadian Premiers.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I loved to tell stories. Storytelling is a critical part of sharing information, plus I have always been curious about everything!
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We didn't have a newspaper, but we did have a yearbook and I was a part of the yearbook committee.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Any story that has been able to change the perception of climate change from one of crisis to that of opportunity.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be committed to honesty and the critical role that journalism plays when done with integrity.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam and see the impact of one giant conglomerate on the nation's growing GDP
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
"Hey Eric, you know busy Moms like you..."
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
It depends on the day of the week and the time of year. The most consistent part of my life is the variety I get from day to day.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I don't have favorites as I prefer to continually seek broad perspectives from a wide variety of outlets and platforms.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Just because the information I cover may provide an inconvenient truth for some, that doesn't make it fake, inaccurate or biased.
