Thespian turned reporter with specialist knowledge of Near Eastern and Russian Geo-politics and asymmetric war
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
investigating and exposing mismanagement of Housing regeneration in Salford and Manchester
Have you ever used a typewriter?
yes many years ago
How is social media changing news?
It is making awareness of events faster, possibly more confused and definitely dumber subsuming analysis with the next titbit.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Chuck Tatum
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Its a great privilege and responsibility to get facts right to represent the protaganists correctly and frame the story in a proper context
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
no preference - if a story is there however it surfaces, thats enough
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Macbook Air, Canon 5D, a Rode microphone
What's your favorite social network?
Email - it retains some degree of individuality, discrimination and discernment.
Who do you wish followed you?
Jeremy Paxton Lucy Fisher my kids
Why did you become a journalist?
Wanting to tell the stories of the unheard and input a personal insight into stories.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No we did not have one
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Probably that first story because it took a long time to bring to fruition culminating in several print stories and a BBC1 documentary
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't always try to be counter intuitive it is so the norm now its almost predictable. Sometimes the news is plain and simple.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime! with a good tale or a one with a whiff of corruption or injustice
What's the best pitch you ever got?
WRITE UP SHORT COMINGS IN GOVERNMENT TERRORIST AWARENESS POLICY FOR RETAIL WORKERS
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Return to interview 108 year-old lady one year on following my previous interview with her.
What's your favorite drink?
Negroni with a slice of orange
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In the kitchen, garden or a well stocked and convivial bar.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
FT, Foreign Affairs,The Salford Star The Daily Telegraph. Jane's Intelligence Review.
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