What was your first job as a journalist?
Working for a weekly paper in north London. I knew nothing about my patch, the people, or really how to do my job. It was a learning curve.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
It's gradually eroding the tone of sensible debate. Any story you publish can provoke a slanging match.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Duncan Quagmire.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be honest.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Genuinely couldn't tell you.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email, in as straightforward a way as possible.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Social media and a phone.
What's your favorite social network?
None of them.
Who do you wish followed you?
More people in general.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because finding out something new, and telling someone who didn't know that fact, is a wonderful feeling.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes - I did match reports on the school house football, as well as reports on trips abroad.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
At the Enfield Independent we did an expose on failings of care at North Middlesex Hospital. It got picked up by most of the major nationals.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
All experience is good experience, and never say no if you can help it.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime - I work all hours so whenever you send a pitch, I may well be around to receive it.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
-
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A pitch for male sex toys, along with a pretend form you gave your boss to request time off for 'self care'. Icky and pointless.
What's your favorite drink?
Beer. I'm not fussy.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On the football field.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Private Eye.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we have a 'bias' against certain sports, players or clubs.
