Ray Hanania
Verified
(Baaaaa Haaaa)
As seen in:
Arab News,
The Arab Daily News,
Al Jazeera English,
Substack,
Flipboard,
Patch,
Al Arabiya English,
Middle East Monitor,
EIN News,
Zawya,
EIN Presswire,
Indybay
and
Covers:
Chicago, Illinois, Midwest and US Politics; slice of life humor and features topics; Middle East, Arab American politics and issues
Doesn't Cover:
Sports
VietnamEraVeteran PalestinianArab REAL Christian Frmr CityHall reporter political columnist ArabNews.com SuburbanChicagoland.com SWNewsNewspaper
Interview
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Since 1975 and own an early Underwood that I continue to use. It's more enjoyable than computers.
How is social media changing news?
Social Media has made it easier for journalists who are no longer with major news outlets to distribute their writings to readers.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being dedicated to accurately reporting on what's right even when you hate the story outcome.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
One short and concise email with a brilliant summation of the story idea. Short and sweet, and to the point. No adjectives.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Why did you become a journalist?
I was concerned about biases against Arab Americans. I planned to be a doctor but became a journalist instead.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I began writing features on rock-n-roll music in 1969-70 in my junior year and became editor-in-chief as a senior supervising the paper.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Start by writing features. Be fair. Be honest. Be accurate. Do not have an opinion about the story, just a passion.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Pitches that succinctly describe the story, with great ledes and concisely presented facts. A great story can be summarized in 30 words.
What's your favorite drink?
Diet Coke
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In the public meeting people and listening to their stories, always looking for tomorrow's headline.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Haaretz Newspaper in Israel/Palestine.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.