What was your first job as a journalist?
The Red & Black newspaper at the University of Georgia.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, and I think I'd have liked working in a noisy newsroom filled with typewriter clatter.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
A journalist is the watchdog of the community, responsible for exposing wrongdoing, examining policy and informing the public.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Pitch me by email at mark.niesse@ajc.com, but pitches outside my coverage area go straight to the spam folder.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Google Drive, Excel, audio recorder, iPhone and a good old-fashioned reporter's notebook.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to become a writer, and journalism was the fastest way to get published. It turned out that I loved reporting as much as writing.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Early in my career, I wrote a series of Associated Press articles about poverty in Lowndes County, Alabama. These stories made a difference.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Get to work reporting and writing frequent articles. Experience makes a big difference.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Pitch me anytime by email. By phone, reach me during weekday working hours at 404-526-2848.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Any pitch that asks me to promote paid events or fundraisers are the worst.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Playing with my twin sons, reading comic books and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I cover DeKalb County government, but that usually doesn't include county schools.
