With a career in journalism spanning more than 40 years, Ray Martin has reported on news stories from the Vietnam War to the devastation of the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami, and interviewed some of the world’s most influential people. As he looks forward to the launch of his latest book, Ray Martin’s Favourites, we caught up with the former host of A Current Affair to find out why he’s a fan of social media, and why, as human beings, he believes our capacity to care sets us apart from the rest.

What can people expect from your new book, Ray Martin’s Favourites? 

A journey behind the studio lights and cameras, with some fascinating characters – from Sir Donald Bradman talking about falling in love with Lady Jessie when he was only 12, to Dustin Hoffman talking about sex, Jane Fonda talking about God and Professor Fred Hollows lamenting the fact that he won't get to see his tiny, twin girls grow up. He died three days later. This book is the select few – from over 10,000 interviews I've done.

Which was your most memorable interview?

Don Bradman. He had been voted the greatest Australian of the 20th century, but he'd never sat down for an interview before this. He was wonderfully open and very impressive – with his brain, I mean, not just his bat.

One of the great things about interviewing people is learning something new from each person. What was the greatest lesson you’ve learned? 

The people who make it to the top of their profession – whether it be entertainment, sport, business or politics – are usually easy to interview. They come prepared to play. It's the “would have beens” who are often difficult, pretentious and duds. All the winners ask is that you do your homework and treat them with a little respect.

What was it like putting the book together and looking back over your career? Did you enjoy reminiscing?

I loved reminiscing and revisiting. I'd forgotten how interesting and funny so many [of the interviews] were. And by doing a kind of running commentary for the interviews, rather than just question/answer, meant that their comments were put in context, making them much more interesting.

Is there anyone who you're still keen to interview but haven't yet had a chance?

Absolutely. I'd love to interview Queen Elizabeth II. And the Pope. If they were prepared to talk openly they'd both be fascinating. (Elvis would be great, if he really is still alive and living in Lithgow, as H.G. Nelson insists.)

As a journalist you've covered everything from the Vietnam War to the Olympic Games to the aftermath of 9/11. Which news story had the most significant impact on you personally?

I think the Indonesian tsunami had the greatest impact on me. With close to 200,000 people killed, and many of them still lying amidst the devastation, it was a terrible time and yet I felt privileged to have the chance to tell the story.

Social media has in many ways changed the way we absorb news, and the way in which news is reported, especially in terms of its immediacy. Do you believe channels such as Twitter have had a positive or negative impact on journalism and news reporting?

I think Twitter, and the rest of the social media, has been terrific. It allows immediacy and firsthand impressions from ordinary witnesses to history. It can be breathtaking. But, it must always been read with a skeptical, questioning eye. It's too often inaccurate or untrue.

You've won plenty of Logies for your journalism and TV career but you've also been recognised by Australia for your charity work, can you tell us about that?

My old mate Fred Hollows used to say, “What makes humans different from every other animal on earth is that we have the capacity to care.” So, we're all obliged to lend a hand. I've been deeply involved for 40 years in trying to chip away at the walls of discrimination against indigenous Australians – working for reconciliation, justice and improving jobs and education for the First Australians. I was chairman of the Fred Hollows Foundation for a decade, on the Reconciliation Council for another 10 years and am now chairman of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. But, I'm only one of thousands of other people who are working towards a better Australia. As well, I've been a long-time patron of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which has raised over 20 million dollars for children's hospitals. Apart from those organisations I've given active support to a couple of dozen other good causes, whenever I can. The alternative is to do nothing and that's not an alternative, is it?

Finally, what does the future hold for you following the release of your book? 

The future? Wow, as long as it's fun, I'll do it. But storytelling – in books and television – remains my main interest. And taking photos.