Silvana Lamb on Muck Rack

Silvana Lamb

(She/Her)
Sheffield

Interview

Have you ever used a typewriter?

no

How is social media changing news?

Social media has completely reshaped how news is produced, shared, and consumed. On one hand, it’s democratised access—marginalised voices and grassroots movements can bypass traditional gatekeepers and speak directly to the public. We’ve seen this with movements like #BlackLivesMatter or mutual aid networks, where information spreads rapidly and collectively. But it also comes with serious contradictions. Algorithms favour sensationalism over depth, misinformation spreads faster than fact, and independent journalism is increasingly forced to compete in a market driven by clicks rather than truth. It mirrors capitalist logics: visibility becomes commodified, and attention is extracted.

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

My favourite fictional journalist is Camille Preaker from Sharp Objects. She's messy, complicated, and haunted—everything a good gothic character should be—but she’s also deeply committed to uncovering the truth, no matter how painful. I appreciate how the story doesn’t romanticise journalism; instead, it shows how personal trauma and investigative work can intertwine. Camille isn’t perfect, but she reflects the kind of journalist I admire: someone who digs beneath appearances, challenges power, and refuses to look away.

Why did you become a journalist?

I became a journalist because I believe in giving voice to the struggles and stories that are often silenced or misrepresented under capitalism. Coming from a background in activism, I saw firsthand how media shapes public perception—and how urgently we need journalism that centres working-class, disabled, trans, and racialised voices. I’m driven by a Marxist commitment to truth-telling and systemic critique, and I use journalism as a tool to expose injustice, amplify grassroots movements, and make complex issues accessible.

When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?

In the city centre window shopping or walking through a park

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