Guy McCarthy
Covers:
mountains, watersheds, fire danger, search-and-rescue, drought, local government, law enforcement
Reporter at The Union Democrat newspaper in Sonora, Tuolumne County CA : FAMU Grad gmccarthy@uniondemocrat.net
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Selling copies of Roll Call in House and Senate buildings. After that getting paid per story at Daily Free Press. First full-time job Ocala
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I used to have a portable Olivetti with a little custom suitcase carrier. I did work on it at Boston U's School of Communication and Freep
How is social media changing news?
Provides mini platforms to break and document news in real time, allows immediate sharing, circulation, feedback. Can lead to new sources
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Boot from Waugh's Scoop is hilarious. More recently Meghan Miles in Walk of Shame
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a journalist is to question authority, follow the money, protect sources and always have camera and video handy
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#bridgegate followed by #bridgeghazi
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email or phone
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Canon 6D and 7D, photo-video editing, police and fire scanners, paper maps, plastic maps, online maps, experience with mobile publishing apps
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Why did you become a journalist?
I grew up on Capitol Hill in D.C. during the 1960s and 70s. News was always a topic at the dinner table. I enjoy reading and writing
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No but I sold single copies of Roll Call in Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn buildings, and Senate buildings, when I was in elementary school
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I spent several months verifying records that showed dispatch for Idyllwild was delayed in response to the $25 million Mountain Fire in SoCal
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Master photography and video
When's the best time to pitch you?
Seven days a week between 9am and 7pm Pacific Time. My cell is (909) 263-8610
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.