Andrew Lih
(He/Him)
Washington, D.C.
Covers:
video, multimedia, journalism, online collaboration, Wikipedia, mobile, collaboration, crowdsourcing, technology, future of journalism, museums, GLAM, musetech, linked open data, AI, LLM
Wikimedian-at-large at @Smithsonian, @MetMuseum @Wikimedia strategist, author The @Wikipedia Revolution; Tooting at @fuzheado@wikis.world
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
For NASA, when I was in high school. I had to help explain to Congress what space projects they should fund after the space shuttle disaster
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! Learned to type on an old German manual typewriter, as my grandmother was a typing instructor in World War II, teaching US soldiers
How is social media changing news?
With the advent of mobiles and two-way Internet communications, the crowd is no longer passive or making appointments to consume news.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
From early days, Kermit the Frog. From later days, The Lone Gunmen from the X-Files.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a curious, current and innovative storyteller while maintaining the standards of transparency, fairness and accuracy.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email or Twitter, but only if it's worth my time
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
A phablet (phone/tablet) like the Samsung Galaxy Note is gaining acceptance as an always-connected device that combines the best of each.
What's your favorite social network?
I was a very early user of Twitter, so I see it as a great digital commons with a low barrier to entry
Who do you wish followed you?
@Eminem simply because he's the most followed user on Twitter who follows NO ONE. I actually don't like his music.
Why did you become a journalist?
In the information age, what happens when anyone and everyone is a journalist? I became a meta-journalist to study this new landscape
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I only ever contributed one article to my high school paper. I was interested in the role of journalism in society after college.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My book: The Wikipedia Revolution, How a Bunch of Nobodies Created the World's Greatest Encyclopedia. Exposes complex community to the public
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Always be curious, in your beat and the craft. Celebrate the speed and innovations in digital technology that help you do your job better.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Late at night, when everything's quiet
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.