What was your first job as a journalist?
Editor of Radon News Digest.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, indeed. I also have a collection of typewriter photographs I snatch with my iPhone each time I go 'flea-marketing' or 'antiquing'.
How is social media changing news?
It's not changing news. It's changing the speed at which news is reported and by whom. Journalism and news aren't the same thing.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means you are always on the prowl for a good story that needs to be told.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I don't. If you have to pitch, it probably sucks. I want stories told to me that are interesting. Market your story. Don't pitch a product.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Macintosh MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPhone and a web browser. What else do you need?
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook. Is there really any other?
Who do you wish followed you?
Rachel Maddow
Why did you become a journalist?
To help explain things -- often complicated things -- to others. I'm a teacher/educator, no matter how you slice it.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was a beat reporter. And, I was a paste-up guy. Wax. Yes, we had wax.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
One of my first. In college I wrote an expose on the US Military for trying to throw a student out for testing HIV+.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Journalism has changed. Your skills are valuable at nearly every company on the planet. Look in non-traditional spaces for work.
