What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing for a trade magazine in the construction industry.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
Social media is short-circuiting the mainstream media filter. It's holding journalists to account which is a positive development.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Citizen Kane
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's a privilege.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Mac, Microsoft Word, Photoshop and Grammarly.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
Andrew Neil
Why did you become a journalist?
It seemed more fun than accountancy.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
My high school never had a newspaper :-(
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
An exposé of the scandalous waste and poor quality of hospital food in the UK.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Keep it accurate and check everything three times.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mid morning
What's the best pitch you ever got?
To fly to New York for a car audio system launch. I didn't accept. Not enough time.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
To review a pair of curling tongs.
What's your favorite drink?
Tea
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Portugal
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Speccie.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I'm somehow interested in reviewing anything that's seen as technology.
