No doubt, journalism has the power to influence society. Journalism today has been transformed through the new media of internet. The power of journalism has been amplified and the news, views, and strong messages now reach millions of people across borders and languages. Journalists are proficiently representing people’s voices with impactful, heartwarming, and touching stories via art of storytelling through their tireless hard work. Charlie is focusing on the deaf culture and touching millions of hearts via journalism. He is the editor of “Limping Chicken,” the most popular deaf blog in the world where he broke the worldwide story of the fake sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela memorial service. He has written and directed a number of award-winning dramas and comedies featuring deaf characters in sign language. He has also written a lot of award winning half hour dramas like My Song, Fingerspellers, and two shorts and so on. He has written for the Guardian, the Mirror, and BBC Ouch, and appeared on BBC Breakfast News, BBC World Service, and BBC Trending and on Radio 4.

Can you tell us more about your journey as a journalist? What is the best thing you love about being a journalist?C: It started with writing for a student newspaper at university. What I enjoy is writing about issues I'm passionate about, expressing myself through articles and also highlighting issues that deserve attention.

How and when did you start “The Limping Chicken” site? What is the story behind your site name, “The Limping Chicken”?C: In February 2012, BBC3 broadcast a documentary about five deaf teenagers. In one scene, a university notetaker told a deaf student that she couldn’t take notes for the whole lecture because “my chicken is ill.” The notetaker’s only fault was being too honest (read this blog in her defence) but nevertheless, those words sparked an online craze in the deaf world, with social networking sites being overrun by jokes, spoof images and tribute videos about her chicken within just a few hours of the programme going out. Those words hit a nerve because they reminded deaf people everywhere of both how random and frustrating deaf life can be. ‘Chickengate’ not only revealed the common ground deafies share, but also just how connected we are online. So this site was named in honour of how a limping chicken briefly united the deaf world!

Can you tell us more about the Nelson Mandela memorial service fake interpreter story that you broke? Where would you like to see “The Limping Chicken” site in 10 years?C: It was a real one off, and is still hard to believe years later, that it happened. I noticed that there was an outcry among Twitter users based in South Africa and the people were reputatable, so I wrote the news story, and everything went crazy for about a week!
In ten years, I hope the site is still serving our audience, deaf people of all kinds

Do you feel any different in your journalism when you are working for popular news media vs. working independently? What is the advantage and disadvantage when you work as an independent journalist?C:  The trouble with writing about deafness is that it's an alien world and culture to many people in the mainstream. So the challenge is always explaining everything from the start, to people you're working with.
What's nice about working independently is being able to make your own narrative, and cover the stories you know are important, without having to persuade anyone else.

How is social media affecting the deaf culture?C: There's a lot of communication on Facebook and Twitter in both sign language videos and written messages. This has the advantage of bringing together deaf people who live far apart, and people can share their thoughts and ideas much more easily. The disadvantage is that many people think the deaf community is becoming more fragmented in the real world, with people less likely to come together at local deaf clubs, and more likely to mix in their own smaller groups of friends.

Who is your favorite world leader? Which of his/her qualities would you want to acquire?C: I don't have one to be honest!

What are your other hobbies?C: I make films and documentaries, enjoy photography and keep fit by swimming. My biggest passion is being a good dad to my two daughters.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?C: I love being in a cinema just as a film is about to start!

Who is your inspiration?C: Deaf people who have broken down barriers, like Marlee Matlin.

Any special message for our community?C: I wish you all the best!