Courtesy of KFSN ABC 30
Q: So you have taught here before, right? What made you decide to come back to Fresno State?
A: Yes, I taught here before when I was a grad assistant. I came back because one, I personally believe there are a lot of potentially talented students here at Fresno State that go unrecognized. And because even though I love working as a reporter, I always keep my foot in the teaching door, so to speak, because I want to always be passing on my knowledge and experience in the field.
Q: Back when you attended college you actually at first studied to become a doctor. What made you decide to become a reporter?
A: I started out studying medicine and taking science classes, but it wasn̢۪t working out for me. It became more of a struggle for me, and I realized that the students, who were succeeding, were doing so because medicine is what fit. It just came natural to them. That was around the time the riots in L.A. were happening, and Korean businesses in that area were being greatly affected, and since I was Korean, I felt very strongly about that. I felt the media wasn̢۪t telling their story, their perspective. So I starting studying journalism and realized that this is where I need to be. This is what comes natural to me.
Q: Well journalism did seem to pay off, because recently you won an Emmy, tell us about that?
A: Yes, that was so exciting. Basically it was after I had started working for ABC and our station submitted what we believed to be our best broadcast at the time. I believe it was about some armed suspects holding up a gas station and all hell broke loose. But, yeah, actually winning was such an amazing experience. All I remember is that I did the Hilary Swank thing, meaning that during my acceptance speech I totally forgot to thank my husband. Then on top of that, I was six months pregnant at the time and had to waddle across stage. It was great; I loved every minute of it.
Q: What are you hoping students gain from having a class with you?
A: I feel that as a working journalist, I can expose them to real world experience and be an example of where hard work in this field can take you.
Scott Anger / Associated Press
Q: You were once a student here, what is it like to be back at Fresno State?
A: It was really a homecoming for me. It has always been a dream of mine to come back here and teach, to be someone̢۪s mentor, like how Roger Tatarian was my mentor. Just being here brings back so many fond memories. When I attended we were the number one school for journalism. I was editor in chief for The Collegian and the Insight.
Q: What memory really sticks out in your mind?
A: I always remember when I won the William Randolph Hearst award, which is the equivalent of the Pulitzer for college journalism, for a story I wrote on sudden infant death syndrome. I came walking up the stairs [in the McKee Fisk Building] and went down the hall by our department and everyone was out, lined up and clapping for me. It was such a wonderful feeling. It was family; I have always felt like this department was my second family.
Q: Now, you were recently involved in somewhat of a scandal at the L.A. Times? What did you learn from that experience, and what advice do you have for budding journalists who might someday come across that same situation?
A: It wasn’t really a “scandalâ€Â per se but more of a conflict of interest. It was a sad lesson. Basically what happened was an editor of mine killed a story I wrote for unfair and unjust reasons. I am Armenian and I wrote a story about the recent progress on the Armenian genocide resolutions, and that person felt that since I was Armenian my writing would be biased and not present a fair view. This was just wrong. It’s like saying Latinos can’t write about Latinos or the Jewish can’t write about the Holocaust. I don’t know; it’s a tough call. More and more I see young journalists just let their stories get gutted. It is really sad, but I understand; it was hard for me to make the decision to stand up and fight or to just acquiesce.
Q: How are you planning to teach the in-depth reporting class this semester?
A: I am going to treat the classroom like a real newsroom and have the students treat the campus like it̢۪s their city. I want my students to never stop questioning their assumptions.
Courtesy of National Public Radio
Q: So Sasha, what brought you to Fresno State?
A: Well, I really missed that type of work. I needed something with people-to-people interaction. Working in radio, I am often working on stories alone, and I just wanted to be with people again. Don̢۪t get me wrong, I love working in radio, but sometimes I need a change of pace. Besides, there are a lot of talented students here at Fresno State that can contribute to the news industry.
Q: Now before radio, you were a documentary film maker. Explain that transition.
A: Yes, the truth is I love both mediums for different reasons. I started out with film, but then took classes in radio and found out that I have a passion for both. I love film because it gives so many ways to tell a story. With film, you have the audio, the visual, editing and so much more. Plus there is all the people interaction, because film takes a lot of work and an entire crew to produce, while radio forces you to be creative, because all you have to work with is audio, so you have to be real inventive with how you tell a story. Then, for the most part, I am alone when I am doing my radio reporting, so it gives me a chance for some solitude.
Q: Your film, “India: Calcutta Calling,â€Â was nominated for an Emmy in 2007. How was that experience and are you going to return to film making?
A: I was so honored to be nominated for an Emmy. It was the greatest feeling in the world to have my work up there with other top ranking industry professionals. Then, to have Dan Rather read off my name, it was amazing. I didn̢۪t win, but the experience was well worth it. I love film, and eventually will return to it. I think what I love most is telling stories and that̢۪s why I am a journalist. It gives me the opportunity to tell fascinating stories.
Q: What role is your unique experience with in-depth reporting going to play in your teaching methods?
A: I want to raise the bar on student journalism. I want my students to be original, to push harder with more in-depth questions and to dig deeper. I want them to go out into the community and learn how to apply true journalistic quality to their work. No matter what part of the industry you go into, you have to know how to tell a story; how to be a good reporter.