Lewis Clarke
Verified- News Reporter, Exmouth Journal
- News Reporter, Sidmouth Herald
- News Reporter, Midweek Herald
Tiverton
Covering Devon and advocate for community reporting over clickbait - Thespian + @geograph_bi addict. Stressed father of two... lewis.clarke@newsquest.co.uk
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as a reporter was for the Mid Devon Gazette, with my first byline in 2008. We covered the Tiverton, Cullompton, Crediton areas.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
It often makes a news outlet an afterthought for some, when they can post things directly on social media themselves.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, journalism is a service that we offer to a community, or to share news to a wider audience for and on behalf of others.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Normally via email if relevant.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Adobe Premiere Pro, Microsoft Word, Express Scribe Transcription Software
What's your favorite social network?
I think they all have their faults.
Who do you wish followed you?
I don't pay an awful lot of attention to all that...
Why did you become a journalist?
I submitted stories to the local newspaper when I was around 15.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We did not have a school newspaper, however I did work with students at my old school for a little while creating video content
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Numerous stories have been picked up nationally, but getting my gran in The Times was a highlight.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't say you can only do a two-week placement in the summer. Get out and send in stories to your local reporters and get yourself known.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Via email, preferably something local or relevant to my area. Ideally, it will involve eating food!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The one which involved going to eat chicken at Popeyes, or inviting me for a weekend on Dartmoor.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Normally ones about what's happening in the USA or far away places.
What's your favorite drink?
Pepsi Max Cherry - not full fat Pepsi because I'm on Slimming World.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
I used to go for lots of walks, these days I'm more likely to be with two children or at Tiverton Town Football Club.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Private Eye, The Economist, and of course The Beano or Peppa Pig's latest magazine.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
It's just full of farmers with funny accents.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.