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Here’s what’s most important about my journalism.
I chase stories in central and southern Appalachia, Virginia, the South & rural America. And although my work is sometimes published in regional and national media outlets, I write largely *for* the people who live there.
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I chase stories in central and southern Appalachia, Virginia, the South & rural America. And although my work is sometimes published in regional and national media outlets, I write largely *for* the people who live there.
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I was born & raised in an Appalachian railroad town near the Va/WV state line. I moved away to study wildlife in Rhode Island & worked a couple of years out West, but I got into journalism & moved back b/c I wanted to cover the region where I grew up. https://masonadams.net/bio/
The headline on @onesarahjones’ story — "Who is Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy For?" — made an important connection for me yesterday. I think about this question a lot. https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/who-is-netflixs-hillbilly-elegy-for.html
In reporting & writing, even for inter/national publications, I’m always thinking about how my stories will be read by the people who live here. That doesn’t mean self-censoring but holding myself accountable to them for a truthful telling.
I want people to read my stories & say, ‘Yes, that’s right.’ Not b/c it meets their confirmation bias but b/c it reads true to their experiences.
My job is to give people in the regions I cover a platform, & to tell their stories in such a way that it helps them better understand their world. If I do that well, it also helps readers in other parts of the world to understand, too.
People are people, after all, & well-told stories transcend geographical differences.
That’s true in my journalism, & it also holds for my new co-hosting role with @miss_ctan at @inappalachia. This show is for people who live here, those who have moved away but still consider it home, & well, everyone, really https://twitter.com/MasonAtoms/status/1329579553925324801
I see my job as connecting with listeners, providing a platform for all people of Appalachia, & giving essential context — something that’s always been part of my job as a reporter. I can’t do this without the support & participation of listeners.
So reach out! My DMs are open, & my email is listed in my bio. And thank you for reading & listening.
