Profile: Anchorage Daily News' Alex DeMarban

The ebb and flow of journalism is career-long, so how does Alaskan journalist Alex DeMarban navigate the mountains of information and newsworthy stories found in Anchorage? 

DeMarban spoke with The Northern Light over the phone. The journalist works for Anchorage Daily News covering oil and gas industries and general assignments. 

DeMarban started his career at the University of Texas at Austin when he worked for The Austin Chronicle. While he was in college, DeMarban said he always knew he wanted to be involved in journalism but explored different paths throughout his college experience. 

DeMarban said he wanted to understand difficult assignments and different things that were important to the state of Alaska. 

The up-and-coming journalist decided to leave the warm counties of Texas to the frigid news deserts of Alaska after a trip to the state. DeMarban and a college friend took a summer vacation to go fishing in Bristol Bay, and the trip turned into a passion for adventure that DeMarban could not ignore. 

Upon completing his degree in the early 2000s, DeMarban embarked on a road trip to Alaska, where he soon found himself covering news and general assignments in the rural Alaska towns of Bethel and Utqiagvik.

DeMarban said some stories found in the rural areas of Alaska can be solemn or touching — with many rural communities suffering from higher than average suicide rates.

After approximately 30 years of reporting on Alaska issues, DeMarban has curated his own way of navigating a career in journalism.

He said that he always has a passion for journalism but is conscious of its “ebb and flow.” He advised taking breaks when they are needed and he said some people pursuing a degree in journalism should consider double-majoring to have something to fall back on. 

DeMarban also finds competency in journalism through understanding the subject as much as he can before asking sources about it.

“Be knowledgeable,” he said. “People are more willing to talk to you if you know about the issue. They recognize you know about it so they tell you things they wouldn’t normally tell other people asking the same questions. Have a competent connection.”