Year in Review: Mark Stevens, Stuff

Every year, StopPress asks players in the local industry for their reflections on the year that was. Here’s what Mark Stevens, Editorial Director at Stuff, had to say.

1. Favourite local story

The fantastic Emma documentary and interactive by our extraordinarily talented Stuff Circuit team. Not only was it a wonderful story of overcoming the odds, perseverance and finding your roots, it was very special for us with Emma also being an important part of our own Stuff whānau.

2. Favourite international story

It has to be the US Election; all the drama and intrigue that can only be a US Presidential race… or a Netflix thriller.

3. Pick three words to describe 2020

‘Challenging’, ‘rewarding’ and (almost) ‘over’.

4. Most memorable moment from lockdown?

Our Inside My Bubble video series where newsmakers and high-profile Kiwis shared their own memorable lockdown moments with our audience.

5. First thing you did in Level 1?

I can’t even remember; probably went to work…

6. First place you’ll travel to when borders open?

I’m sure it probably won’t be, but I’d love to celebrate another Christmas in NYC with my family.

7. Heroes of 2020

Newsrooms. Trustworthy local journalism was never a more important antithesis to the misinformation which swelled during the pandemic.

8. Villains of 2020

The disseminators of that misformation, most notably public health misinformation.

9. What personality trait got you in the most trouble this year? 

Missing deadlines…

10. What achievement are you most proud of this year?

Tā Mātou Pono | Our Truth, which was a challenging and, at times, difficult investigation into our own history of news gathering and reporting in relation to Māori.

11. Silver lining of 2020? 

Stuff’s return to NZ ownership.

12. Best brands of 2020

More of a sub-brand, but our Travel Editor’s ‘Back your Backyard’ initiative was a great and timely response to 2020 and Kiwis’ desire to explore when the world’s playground was, effectively, closed.

13. Lamest trend of 2020

I’m not trendy enough to know the lamest trend of 2020. One of my teenagers argues strongly that it was #OhNo on TikTok. Who am I to argue? Those less young/cool might say it was baking sourdough.

14. Best innovation

Virtual everything; dance parties, festivals, museum tours…

15. What died in 2020? 

Lockdowns in NZ, hopefully…

16. Guilty Netflix obsession?

Blacklist.

17. Twitter or Instagram?

Not overly excited about either. Twitter for work, Instagram for play.

18. What’s the biggest mistake journalists will make in 2021?

Being monocultural in their reporting.

Year in Review is brought to you by Discovery New Zealand.

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