Tag Archives: media

Good question alert: Can you be a “serious writer” while also just being yourself?

The daughter of a friend is taking a summer journalism course, and one of her assignments was to interview “a journalist with international experience” about their “career choices and future goals.” One of the questions she just sent me was so excellent that I am reprinting it, alongside my answer, below (with permission): Q: YourContinue reading “Good question alert: Can you be a “serious writer” while also just being yourself?”

Why it sucks to be a journalist (and why people do it anyway)

In the West, the news is a commodity, a product. And the customer is always right. If you’re not giving the customer what they want – you’re usually screwed. In places like Russia, the news is more like a government-owned resource. And the government gets to set the agenda on how said resource will beContinue reading “Why it sucks to be a journalist (and why people do it anyway)”

Goodbye to The Moscow News: on riding off into the sunset yet again

“Again the well-worn saddle creaks, And the wind chills an old wound; Monsieur, where in the name of hell have you wound up? Can it be you can’t afford a bit of calm?” After nearly four years, I am leaving The Moscow News. Now that our owner, the RIA Novosti agency, has been liquidated, theContinue reading “Goodbye to The Moscow News: on riding off into the sunset yet again”

Fun Online Reading For You!

OK, so we’ve been busy improving the features on the Arab-themed magazine (improvements to the general-themed international magazine will soon follow), particularly as it relates to the browsing experience. So, for example, now you can read up on topics featuring Muslim women with all of the related articles grouped together nicely for your enjoyment. AnotherContinue reading “Fun Online Reading For You!”