~Bunbunmaru News~ > Ask a *Blank* Archive
Ask A Staffer Final Round - The Askening: Tengukami
Hello Purvis:
You have no idea how fascinating this is to me.
Have you garnered any fame?
How many of those quick research articles were you typically required to do per day?
What is your present and hopefully more relaxed work like?
Alfred F. Jones:
What's your favourite and least favourite parts of being a journalist?
Why is Aya so awesome? How about Hatate?
Tengukami:
--- Quote from: It's Purvis MFD on August 24, 2011, 05:38:57 PM ---Have you garnered any fame?
--- End quote ---
Yeah, sort of, for a little while there anyway. First, when I started my own political party based on immigration law reform (which later merged with an existing leftist party) and then for becoming the first foreign-born member of parliament in the country's history. This got me a lot of media attention, as well as a lot of people writing some frankly libelous things about me on their blogs. I just kept doing what I was doing, and with time, the public fascination wore off and I went back to journalism.
On the bright side, I was able to make a number of significant and positive changes to immigration law in Iceland. I've been asked to write columns about immigration, to speak about racism and multiculturalism, and still get contacted by immigrants looking for advice. I'm more than happy to do that, especially now that I do this more or less non-descriptly.
I enjoyed my moment in the sun, and am proud that I was able to help make things an eensy bit better while I had the power to do so. I don't miss it, though. That much attention really doesn't suit me.
--- Quote from: It's Purvis MFD on August 24, 2011, 05:38:57 PM ---How many of those quick research articles were you typically required to do per day?
--- End quote ---
Per day? For AFP? Not many. They're only interested in stories of international or regional importance, which in Iceland doesn't happen very often. But at my magazine I'm doing four or five news stories for our website every day. So that's nice.
--- Quote from: It's Purvis MFD on August 24, 2011, 05:38:57 PM ---What is your present and hopefully more relaxed work like?
--- End quote ---
Apart from the aforementioned daily news pieces, I write longer articles for the print version. These are typically news wrap-up pieces, investigative pieces, and in-depth pieces. I have done, and still do, travel pieces, music reviews and food reviews, but not as often.
--- Quote from: Kaburagi S. Rurotetsu on August 24, 2011, 06:13:50 PM ---What's your favourite and least favourite parts of being a journalist?
--- End quote ---
Most favorite part: adding more territory to the common map of human information, no question. And it's a great rush to be able to scoop other sources; to get that information to the public before anyone else does. It's an amazing feeling to see that happen, especially if it's a story that actually affects people significantly.
Least favorite part: the pay isn't that great, interview subjects can complicate articles (although with the advent of digital recording, they can no longer deny saying what they said if you have a recording) mostly by hemming and hawing about how much to divulge, and it irks me a bit to see people dismiss "the media" as some sort of monolith that they don't need to pay attention to - people who live their lives in a state of utter ignorance, refuse to inform themselves, and yet seem to have an opinion on everything. I consider it an insult to my profession that such people exist.
--- Quote from: Kaburagi S. Rurotetsu on August 24, 2011, 06:13:50 PM ---Why is Aya so awesome? How about Hatate?
--- End quote ---
Aya is awesome because she perfectly combines the mythological with the modern and taught us much of what we know about Gensokyo, but also, I really admire her spirit. Despite the depiction of the tengu snapping panty shots of various maidens, her interviews are actually funny, engaging, and clever. She makes her subjects feel defensive and off-guard, which tends to get some interesting responses. It's not a style I'd use, but I admire her for it. It's pretty ballsy.
Hatate I like because she's the diligent investigative reporter. She's not interested in scooping anyone (how could she, anyway?) but she does take her time crafting a piece and getting all the facts lined up. Very few journalists will or even can do this today, so for that, she deserves props.
Hello Purvis:
--- Quote from: Tengukami on August 24, 2011, 09:06:05 PM ---Yeah, sort of, for a little while there anyway. First, when I started my own political party based on immigration law reform (which later merged with an existing leftist party) and then for becoming the first foreign-born member of parliament in the country's history. This got me a lot of media attention, as well as a lot of people writing some frankly libelous things about me on their blogs. I just kept doing what I was doing, and with time, the public fascination wore off and I went back to journalism.
--- End quote ---
I'm not about to let you get away with not elaborating on this. (After failing to wiki this up and pull a gotcha. Too many to sort through)
Mimachiro:
[REDACTED]
When is Tenma going to ask you a question?
What's your favorite form of travel?