What was your first job as a journalist?
Radyo Bilkent, 1999 Turkey earthquake when I had to break it on-air during a music broadcast.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, when there was a power-cut just before air at Turkish Radio and Television.
How is social media changing news?
It helps reach younger and wider audiences. But it also runs the risk of over-simplifying and click-baiting pieces that should be longer.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Journalists in "The Newsroom": they showcase what journalism ideally should be.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It is the chance to hear the countless stories that are shared with us, and take pride in bringing knowledge to people.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
: how UK ambulance services get called to fights immediately after midnight on New Years when people kiss the wrong person
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
iNews, Open Media, ENPS, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, Quantel
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook for friends, Instagram for creativity and TikTok to turn my brain off for the day.
Who do you wish followed you?
I'm not sure I'm worthy of being followed but there are countless journalists I'd love to chat to.
Why did you become a journalist?
I loved being on-air as a music DJ at a community radio in Turkey. When I was told broadcasting could be a career, I couldn't believe it.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. I wrote and took photos. I didn't think it would be my career though. I was too into computers back then.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm proud of the field work I did in the Turkey coup attempt and Indonesia Palu earthquake. I also enjoyed reporting on gay marriage in Aus.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't worry. Sometimes pieces don't work. Sometimes money isn't good. Stay the course - it will all be OK.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time. But keep in mind that news happens during the event. So sometimes by the time we receive a pitch, the story is over.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Complete statistical analysis that support for gay marriage was on the rise in Australia in 2010. It would be legalised many years later.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
There are no bad ones; just ones that didn't work like a fashion pitch when I'm not fashionable myself.
What's your favorite drink?
Soda water after a run. Asahi is a good beer too.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking my dogs, listening to metal music, or running.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Satirical magazines. There's something about the power of humour to expose the truth and comical situations in politics.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That events happen for no reason. We, and the earth around us are all interconnected. Everything has a backstory.
