Jason Garcia
(He/Him)
Los Angeles
Covers:
Sports, features and editorial stories.
Doesn't Cover:
Reviews (music, food)
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
A quick freelance job with Vendetta Sports Media after interning for a semester.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have not.
How is social media changing news?
Social Media is usually the first place for news to break or for publications to share a breaking news story.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent but that's because he is the only person that fits the question criteria.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be honest. To give the truth. Don't be biased. Give both sides a shine on the topic. Never let personal opinion interfere with reality.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Not anything. I really don't like hashtags or looking at them on social media.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I would prefer to be pitched face-to-face. That way we discuss the ins and outs of the story.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Camayak, Otter AI and Adobe Lightroom Classic were the two primary tools used.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, now called X, is the best social network. Twitter is usually the first place for news to be shared on all social media platforms.
Who do you wish followed you?
A sports journalist who has valuable learning experiences in the field.
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to become a professional athlete. When the boat sailed, a sports journalist was the next best thing to give me the inside of sports.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
My high school did not have a school newspaper.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The "LBSU basketball heads to the Caribbean," story I wrote won an award. Which is my favorite because I always have imposter syndrome.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Always give the facts. This is the main job we have as journalists. People rely on us to give the truth.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Send me a message or an email, then we will discuss the pitch whenever we both have the time.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A player for the university soccer team had a concussion on a road game. The journalist wanted to cover and get insight into the situation.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst is harsh. But I have had pitches that didn't work as a story.
What's your favorite drink?
My favorite drink would be a nice, cold cup of Horchata.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At home with family and pets.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I enjoy reading from smaller local publications. Such as Fansided and SB Nations' smaller websites. Or from TV stations' websites.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
"You get to watch sports all day." You have to notice the players, coaches, stats and all the minor things in a match.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.