J W August
As seen in:
Apple Podcasts,
LinkedIn News,
MSN,
KNBC-TV (Los Angeles, CA),
WMAQ-TV (Chicago, IL),
WRC-TV (Washington, DC),
KNSD-TV (San Diego, CA),
KNTV-TV (San Jose, CA),
KPBS-TV (San Diego, CA),
KGTV-TV (San Diego, CA)
and
Covers:
criminal justice, environment, transparency in government, trafficking in humans, hate crimes, hate groups, scams of all stripes, corporate greed or incompetence, legislation at state and local level,
Doesn't Cover:
weddings, funerals
Broadcast producer for 38 years at NBC7 & 10News. Reporter for community newspapers and internet news websites. Had 60+ jobs until I discovered my calling.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My underground high school publication and stringer for AP on a kidnapping of young girl
Have you ever used a typewriter?
yes, Pica and Elite
How is social media changing news?
Its the biggest change since the printing press. Nothing is the same or will be the same
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. you are the voice of the voiceless,
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
dont recall
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
in writing, two-three paragraphs with clear description of your case.... including contact information.....and NO DOCUMENTS until called for
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
scanner for documents, search engines depending on the subject matter, cell phone, transcribing service, public record searches by TLO
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
no one in particular, everyone in general
Why did you become a journalist?
liked to read about the world, curious and a peeved from what I consider injustices-which there is no lack of
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
It was an underground humor paper, run off a ditto machine consisting of satire and jokes about Richard Montgomery High School.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A grifter who uses his title as a self ordained pastor and questionable claims of law enforcement experience to create his fraud
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Pay attention
When's the best time to pitch you?
anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
havent gotten it yet
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I worked a t v assignment desk and there are far too many bad ones to recall any particular one.
What's your favorite drink?
VODKA TONIC
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
at another computer or playing golf
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
there is no one publication--read UnionTrib, LA Times, NY Times and numerous news website local and national
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I have unlimited time and or resources
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.