Interview with Mario Noe Pincus Volin

Did you always know you wanted to be a journalist?

No. It happened naturally.

What motivated you to pursue this degree?

Interacting with people, traveling, the current situation, the environment, politics, life itself, awakened in me that desire to communicate and to inform. First by participating in debates, gathering information, analyzing, sharing comments and so, little by little, I carved out a space for myself to develop, at that point, my career. I keep alive that dream of somehow being "the voice of the voiceless"... Inquiring, asking, denouncing, informing...

How has the journalist's career changed with the rise of social media, blogs, etc?

It has opened up new communication platforms, for spreading data, different and modern ways to reach the target audience.

Does it open up new opportunities for traditional journalism?

Yes, of course. Those "new platforms" allow the media and their communicators to reach a larger audience, perhaps with the same or even less effort.

How does the discipline complement the existence of bloggers?

Some believe that writing in a "Blog" is doing Journalism. In many cases, blogs are "intimate diaries," with a limited scope of interest. In others, they are journalists themselves who use those media to communicate. I still remember when I went to complete the paperwork at the Ministry of Labor to request my Professional Journalist credential, and an employee asked me if I wrote for newspapers or magazines. I told her that at that time I carried out my professional work through my VisualNews HyperData, on the "Internet" platform and also via "e-mail"... "Ah... then you're not a Journalist...!" she commented. My response was harsh and blunt: "Journalism is practiced regardless of the platform used, whether written, oral, television or as today through the Internet, e-mails, radio and TV over IP, etc."

What is Hyperdata about?

* HyperData, through its slogan is "A New Way to See the News"...

It began almost 19 years ago with info aimed especially at professional lawyers and accountants. Then "Internet" developed and data and procedures through that space. My subscribers at that time began to request more information and also on a greater number of sectors, and so, successively, the single newsletter of that moment (Report Impositivo Contable) was transformed into what was then called and is still called "VisualNews HyperData", today with two "flavors": TIC, with data on information and communications technologies; and BIZ, with information on companies and business; women and home; tourism; health; etc. And the dissemination of its contents was supported, while new ones were generated, on an already two-way path, also through our radio program "HyperData.Info" on FM 95.3 Radio Atlantida.

Hyperdata in 360º

We were the first to incorporate a "newsletter" with images obtained from the interviews in our radio programs (radio photographer?). We were among the first to incorporate the ISO-logo of the company or service mentioned in the article, we incorporated panoramic images, we added videos, we covered events online, we were among the first to broadcast live and simultaneously, via TV over IP from the radio studios, among the first to register with the Direccional Nacional de Protección de Datos Personales, safeguarding the proper use of the subscriber database, and thus along a long path of innovation and technology at the service of readers, audience and "viewership"...

What is your contribution to the world of journalism?

Much of the answer is given in the previous one. The contribution is in our slogan: "A New Way of Seeing the News"... making two "cynically fun" programs, interviews in a relaxed, in-depth and sometimes even fun way and with a heavy load of humor, cynicism, double meaning. Breaking what is archaic, structured, standard questions, commonplaces, perks, "deals". Ambassadors in studios, celebrities, global CEOs, neighbors, professionals, everyone has a place in our formats, because everyone is part of the reality we have to live. Everyone is a protagonist, beyond their social, professional, political, sports position, etc. I firmly believe that journalism can be done without compromises, in a real and sincerely independent way, with objective, real opinion. And whenever possible, always, with a note of humor, of hope, of faith. Ours is a two-way path... We report on what interests people. On what people want, need and should know. Clearly. And we take on the commitment so used by many, but real and sincere in our case, to be "The Voice of those who do not have one"...

We immerse ourselves in reality, we research, we propose, we participate, we debate, we listen, we strive, we collaborate, we spread the word and thus a long road of interaction with those who are, ultimately, the recipients of all our efforts: The Target Audience.

What qualities should a young person who wants to start studying journalism possess?

Perhaps we should define what is meant by "qualities"... In a first sense: honesty.

And I would also add, and in the form of "needs": drive, work, struggle, research, depth, culture, study, sincerity, education, respect and a long etc... I prefer early discouragement due to lack of... than apathy and compromise due to...

What satisfactions has this career given you?

Many and endless, perhaps as many as the sorrows and frustrations.

Among the former, meeting diverse people, from all walks of life, getting to know places and, therefore, also their people. Traveling, participating, learning, being known, which allows me to have a voice, an opinion and fundamentally, to reach the target audience.
Doing what I like and feel. Interacting with the medium and its people. Because it is always and fundamentally about people, the ultimate recipient of our motivation and dedication.

Does a good journalist limit himself to communicating the information that reaches his hands or is he also a professional who generates opinion and who guides the information according to his own concerns and interests?

If we are talking about a "good journalist", he cannot limit himself only to communicating the information he receives, he must delve into the origin, gather more and better information, seek other "opinions", confront them if necessary, be objective. Sincere and not deceitful!

Information can and should be guided, as long as the source, the origin, the truth of it, being objective, Sincere, is respected, to help the audience understand what it is about. Not always and not everyone knows what is happening or understands. Depending on the audience, that will have to be the language to reach them. It is not the same to address a technician, with his cryptic language, as a housewife, who has the desire and need to know what to do or what is happening in her family environment.

This applies to "Concerns", but not to "Interests". This cannot be applied given the complexity of the meaning. General or common interests, not particular interests, with directed, deceitful, biased communication. The channel of communication must always be objective.

What must be done to succeed in a field as competitive as journalism?

If anyone has that formula, please send me a copy.

Mine, modest and after long years of professional experience, is just this: work; study; research; technology; communication; honesty; professionalism; sincerity; ideas; commitment; listening; faith; drive and, in short, work and more work.

If you had in front of you a person about to begin their journalism studies, what advice would you give them for getting started?

First I would ask them if they really have the drive, if they really feel that Journalism is their thing, regardless of trends, opportunity, and illusion or mirage.

If the answer to the above is a categorical yes, then yes, study in depth, seriously, diligently, eagerly, with desire. Research, don't settle for what is established, traditional, already done; dig deeper in your investigations; commit to your target audience; in short, fight and work for that ideal, since the effort to achieve it will never be too much.

Tell us about your career path within the discipline

Just as judges "speak" through their rulings, I would have to say that my "career path" speaks for itself: drive and effort, study and commitment, professionalism.
I started almost 25 years ago in this exciting and limitless world of communication, first with an on demand service; then with an omnibus radio program, as a contributor; and from there on with my own media outlets:

The radio program HyperData.Info, originally on Radio Splendid de Buenos Aires; then on Radio El Mundo; Radio El Sol, de Puerto Madero; up to the present, on FM 95.3 Radio Atlantida.
I edit and distribute weekly the VisualNews HyperData in its two "flavors" TIC and BIZ, which reach a universe of more than 38,500 voluntary active subscribers. I maintain several websites. I publish info through social media, etc.

I provide original content for our audience and for third parties. I produce radio and TV programs. Now also radio and TV over IP.
I have received more than 35 distinctions for my professional work.
This is today. And I'm going for more!.

And I'll close with a phrase of my own: "Every change always implies hope."

Journalism is responsible for researching and communicating information through mass media.