"When press freedom is suppressed, journalists must speak out"
Magda Sakowska is the chief U.S. correspondent for Polsat, the biggest private Polish TV outlet. In her interview with FOREIGN PRESS, she shares several techniques that she has learned over the years to navigate working as a foreign correspondent in the US successfully. Sakowska touches on the importance of reporting on U.S. news because of the country’s worldwide impact on culture and politics. She goes on to talk about the challenges journalists often face in the U.S.
How did you start your journey in the U.S. as a foreign correspondent?
A few weeks after my return to work from maternity leave, I got the information that my outlet will seek a new U.S. correspondent. I like challenges, and I like to prove myself in a new situation, so I applied for the position and got it. I arrived with my family at Dulles Airport at the end of August 2016.
For your country's audience, why does U.S. news reporting matter?
As the global superpower, America has an impact on the lives of other countries in every part of the world. To know what's going on in the U.S. is a significant part of your knowledge if you are interested in current affairs, as it is right now with Afghanistan. It's not only an American issue; it is a global issue, but with the most influence from Washington. Besides, America has had a special place in the hearts and minds of Polish people. For all the years of communism, Poland was a country behind the Iron Curtain for over 40 years, and the U.S. was for us a symbol of freedom and hope: the land of opportunity. After communism collapsed, Washington was a core ally of Poland.
When a foreign journalist comes to the United States to work as a foreign correspondent, what are the major challenges they face? What challenges did you face when you first moved to the U.S. as a foreign journalist?
Magda Sakowska
The hardest part is to build a network, to be able to collect phone numbers, and to email people that, as a journalist, you would like to talk to experts and politicians. With politicians, the case is extremely difficult. Therefore, you need to catch every opportunity to get access to potential resources.
What was the biggest disappointment in your experience as a foreign correspondent?
All the unanswered emails and voice messages I left with requests for a short interview. In the beginning, I was very, very frustrated. In Poland, during all the years of my work, I built an enormous network of contacts. I had emails and cell numbers to the most influential people in the country, and my producer or I could reach out to them and ask for an interview or a comment on or off the camera. Getting used to the new situation required patience and humility.
What was the most significant success you've had?
About a year ago, I got a message that a Polish teenage girl and her parents came to Philadelphia. The girl was supposed to have two very complicated surgeries that were necessary to rescue her life. Unfortunately, after the first procedure, complications occurred. She spent a few days in the ICU. Because of that, the hospital bill was much higher than the amount the family could collect for the surgeries. Their situation was tough. I prepared a news report about them, hoping that it would help raise additional funds they desperately needed.
Within minutes after broadcasting the report, they not only had the money for the surgeries but even more. To help to achieve it was my biggest success. It shows that our job matters. And to be able to help is a wonderful feeling.
How can a foreign journalist build resources and report in the United States? What tips would you like to share from your experience with prospective foreign journalists?
Knock on all the doors you can. Never give up. Reach out to communities from your country living in the US. Those people can contact you with others and also can be a precious source of information.
How has your career as a foreign correspondent in the US shaped you as a professional and person?
I brought with me to the U.S. my 15 years of experience as a journalist. Of course, working as a foreign correspondent allows me to expand that experience, learn new things, and expand my knowledge about American reality and foreign affairs. Being here demands from me almost supernatural abilities. I’m the only correspondent working for my outlet in the U.S., and sometimes to cover the events I think should be covered, I need to be at two places almost simultaneously. From this, I developed my logistical skills. Also, many times I was at the place I should be because of my gut feeling I believed in despite others telling me that my intuition was wrong. At the end of the day, it turned out to be perfectly correct.
What do you see as the role of foreign correspondents in protecting and advancing press freedom internationally?
Cover every topic in an unbiased way, do not be afraid to talk loudly about the suppression of press freedom. It’s what every journalist should and can do. It doesn’t relate only to foreign correspondents.
Would you like to share a message with your colleagues in the foreign correspondents' community?
Journalism is a highly competitive profession, but being helpful to each other makes our difficult role as foreign correspondents easier.
