"Passion: the most important tool for a foreign correspondent"

Bricio Segovia and Antoine Sanfuentes

Passion. That is what it takes to make it in Washington D.C. as a correspondent, according to Antoine Sanfuentes, Vice President and Managing Editor for CNN’s Washington Bureau. Sanfuentes was the guest speaker of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA) in a discussion with foreign journalists moderated by Bricio Segovia, board member of the Club of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in Washington, D.C. During this educational program for foreign correspondents, Sanfuentes uncovered what distinguishes good journalists from great journalists. The hour-long segment was a candid discussion of what an editor is looking for in an aspiring Washington correspondent, with Sanfuentes offering precise areas to focus on.

Become an expert on one thing

The world of journalism in Washington is a highly competitive market. It is imperative to stand out if you wish to be successful in the industry, and the most straightforward way to stand out is to become an expert. Sanfuentes emphasizes taking time to discover what you are most passionate about and then fully investing your time into researching that one thing. Then, once you have a good understanding of it, keep investigating. It does not matter the subject area; if you know more than others, you are an asset. Be curious and be bold.  

Seek out sources early.

Segovia and Sanfuentes both remark on how Washington is very different from other major cities because of the interconnectedness of politics and daily life. As such, the city is full of resources, both primary and secondary, to use in your research. Former officials, members of Congress, academics, and public intellectuals are just some of the sources of information that can offer unique insights into current events. Sanfuentes adds that thinking outside the box can offer huge returns on investment. Following members of Congress back to their home districts, for example, can offer even more resources alongside those readily available in Washington. In addition, he warns that you must not simply wait for breaking news to seek out your sources because by then, it will be too late. Rather, one must constantly be reaching out to sources so that they are readily available when needed. “You are a great reporter by breaking news,” Sanfuentes bluntly asserts. And in this industry, speed is key. 

Passion creates emotion

Simply put, a reporter without passion is no reporter at all. The stories that both editors and readers want are those that touch people in some way. These are the stories that make people think and feel. Without a genuine passion for the subject, the reporting often lacks this much-needed emotion. Sanfuentes concludes with the germane advice of: “stick to what you are good at and what makes you stand out.” In this way, you will report on interesting topics that encourage writing with enthusiasm and concern.

Washington D.C. is a city full of aspiring correspondents, both domestic and foreign. This must not serve as a deterrent to young professionals. Rather, it should be a source of inspiration, as it proves the importance of the field in bridging countries and their politics together. Thinking outside of the box in terms of sources to contact and stories to cover can greatly help develop one’s career. Finally, one’s identity as a foreigner offers a unique perspective and a lot of value to examining the American political landscape, and it must not be taken for granted. With hard work and some unique thinking, the world of foreign correspondents in Washington D.C. is wide open to those willing to be bold.