Ryan Torok
Verified
As seen in:
LinkedIn,
Jewish Standard,
The Jerusalem Post,
The Times of Israel,
Haaretz,
Florida Jewish Journal,
Jewish Telegraphic Agency,
Forward,
EIN News,
NewsBreak
and
Covers:
Judaism, healthcare, local politics, arts, Los Angeles.
Los Angeles journalist. Contributor @JewishJournal, @bhcourier, @jewishsf, @jdforward, | Story tips & feedback to ryanharrytorok@gmail.com
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Staff writer at the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, at the Fairfax flea market.
How is social media changing news?
People access much of their news through social media. There is more pressure to generate eyeballs. Headlines have become more important.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Exposing the truth in a way that grabs the reader's attention from the first word of the story. Asking fair, direct and thoughtful questions.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Over the phone or via email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Word, excel, google docs, basic photo image program on my computer, outlook, itunes, imovie, youtube, gmail, pandora.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook, Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Bill Maher
Why did you become a journalist?
I love to write and tell stories and learn about new and exciting developments in my city, state and country. I also like to travel.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My profile on Congressman Adam Schiff.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
To be patient. Success takes a long time and often doesn't feel the way you thought it would. Also, be nice to everybody.
When's the best time to pitch you?
The morning
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I prefer seeking out stories than being pitched. If I had to think of the best pitch, though, Milken High School bball game.
What's your favorite drink?
Moscow Mule
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At the gym. Watching "Succession" with my girlfriend. Playing basketball with my nephew.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Atlantic
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That writing about Jewish life in America means constantly reporting on antisemitism. There's much more to the Los Angeles Jewish community!
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.