This week on Dan News’ 11 Questions, the spotlight is on Michelle Pickles, a familiar face to Kiwi audiences and a trailblazer in New Zealand sports journalism.
From her early fascination with storytelling on screen to a career that’s taken her from breaking news to being doused in champagne by world champion rowers, Michelle’s journey is full of energy, heart, and humour.
Michelle reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the changing face of the media industry, and why fact-checking still matters more than ever.
When did you first become interested in media, and why?
In my early teens I used to watch Judy Bailey and John Hawkesby on a news and current affairs programme called Top Half (showing my age) and I was fascinated with the whole process of telling stories with pictures on the television.
I ended up working with both Judy and John early on in my journalism career – so that was a full circle moment!
Who are some people you admire or look up to as role models, either in your career or in life in general?
The late, great Tony Ciprian. Cippo was a legend in the world of broadcast journalism, and we were lucky to have him at 3News for many years before he retired.
He taught us all so much and made us laugh (often inappropriately) every day. He was a great journalist, a great mentor and a great friend.
The women who paved the way for female sports journalists in this country – including the late Cathy Campbell, Jane Dent and Suzanne McFadden. Legends, all of them. My Mum – 85 and still dancing. Life goals.
It’s an old question, but I love it: If you were to invite four people to dinner (living or dead), who would you choose and why?
Jennifer Aniston – She has a naughty twinkle in her eye, and I reckon she’d be a lot of fun. Serena Williams – The Goat. Always wanted to interview her and never did. Adam Lambert – Super talented, got a great story, and just seems like a really nice guy. Freddie Mercury – Also super talented, with a great story and I’d love to hear what he thinks of Adam Lambert.
What is a memory from your career so far that will stick with you well after you retire?
Being sprayed with champagne by Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, live on air, after they’d won gold at the 2010 Rowing World Champs at Lake Karapiro.
I have often been asked if it was set up and I knew it was going to happen. Given the first thing I nearly said when it did happen was a very loud F*** – the answer to that is – I had no idea.
I had to read the entire sports bulletin soaked in champagne. It was hilarious. Definitely a moment.
Tell us some of your interests outside of work.
Travel, both within Aotearoa and overseas. So many places we still want to see and experience. I also love the ocean – so if I’m fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, or even just near it – I’m happy. And watching sport.
What is your favourite movie and television show? (I’ll allow you to choose a runner-up for both… just to be nice.)
Such a difficult question – thank goodness you’ve allowed two! 😊
Movie:
Rocky – always.
Dirty Dancing – who didn’t want to learn the Merengue!
TV Show
The Morning Show – if you’ve ever worked in Breakfast TV – you’ll know why. Plus, it’s Jennifer Aniston.
The Lincoln Lawyer – loved the books and the show has really grown on me.
What are some of your most played songs?
Honestly, my spotify is like a trip through the decades and music genres – but here are just a few – (or probably too many!)
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey, Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel, Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen, Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond (usually while dancing on a table), Mr Jones – Counting Crows, For Today – Netherworld Dancing Toys, Flowers – Miley Cyrus, Superpower – Adam Lambert, Like a Prayer – Madonna, The Dance – Garth Brooks, Wheat Kings – The Tragically Hip, Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane.
Give us a random or weird fact that people may not know about you.
I was an artistic roller skater – competed at my first Nationals at age five and wore the silver fern at five World Champs in my late teens and early twenties.
A couple of harder ones. How would you describe the state of the media industry both locally and internationally at the moment, and do you have any suggestions about how things need to change?
It’s coming up nine years since I left the newsroom and it’s been really difficult watching the loss of jobs, shows, and entire newsrooms in the last couple of years. But there are still so many great journos, doing a great job, and often with limited resources – so a big shout out to them.
There are many issues in the industry both here and overseas, and they’ve been discussed at length – but one of the things I struggle with is the erosion of truth and trust – with people getting their “news” from online forums and social media and then claiming the media is not covering the big stories because they don’t fit their “narrative”.
One of the most important jobs for a journalist is to fact check and verify information through reputable sources. So, if a story doesn’t make the mainstream news media – the likelihood is – it’s not true.
Where do you see AI fitting into a modern media industry? What do you personally see as the advantages and disadvantages of its use?
AI can be an amazing tool if used in the right way – but it doesn’t (yet?) have genuine human curiosity, integrity, or empathy and it can’t build true relationships with people – all traits of a good journalist.
The misinformation and disinformation that’s out there also mean you still need to fact check!
Who from the industry would you like to see answering these eleven questions?
Emma Keeling
(Emma, we will be in touch!)
To my readers: Who would you like to see answering 11 Questions? Send us your ideas — or have a go at answering them yourself.
Email: news@dannews.tv
