"We must together to protect press freedom around the world"
Radwan Ziadeh
Radwan Ziadeh is the Chief Correspondent of Syria TV broadcasting from Istanbul. He is also a senior fellow at Arab Center in Washington DC. He wrote more than 20 books on Syria and the greater Middle East. His last book is entitled "Transitional Justice in Divided Societies". He writes a weekly op-ed for Alaraby Aljadeed, a pan-Arabic newspaper published from London.
What do people not know about working as a foreign correspondent?
Most of the people now rely on their social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to get their news, therefore they are not in touch with the journalists or correspondents who get the news to them, they don't know their faces or sometimes their work, and that makes it more challenging for the correspondents who need to work extra to earn the trust of their audience.
How would you describe your journey in the U.S. as a foreign correspondent?
Working in the U.S. as a foreign correspondent is much easier than working in many other countries, you have a lot of free resources, there are foreign centers you can ask to get your questions answered; also your Freedom of Information Act eases access to all the information you are looking for.
Besides that, of course, you have a community open to media in general, and who like to share their news, all these conditions make my job here much easier.
As a foreign correspondent, what is the most exciting part of your job? What are the frustrating or upsetting aspects of working as a journalist for a foreign media outlet in the U.S.?
The exciting part is when you have access to breaking news no one has yet reported, and you feel the excitement when you are the first to share this news in your outlet.
The frustration comes when you cover some events and have difficulty finding access or cooperation; then, you don't see the appreciation necessary to continue your work.
For your country's audience, why does U.S. news reporting matter?
For decades now, Washington D.C. has become the source of news and, at the same time, the strongest capital on earth. This is why any news coming from the White House, State Department, or the Congress weighs a lot in the news and always makes it to the first page in our daily news in my outlet.
What was the biggest disappointment in your experience as a foreign correspondent?
The biggest disappointment is a lack of appreciation for your efforts to bring the news to your audience. I am not saying there is no appreciation at all, b I cover the U.N. news, it is always challenging to get the correct data, and many resources are difficult to access.
What was the most significant success you've had?
I used my profession to write books I never imagined I would be able to write without traveling as a foreign correspondent. I say this to show this profession can open the door to so many things you can do during or even after. You just need passion.
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?
First, you have to be on top of things every time, at the site or event. Second, you have to build your resources over the years, never underestimate any source that can be useful in the future, you have to keep all these contacts in your address book. Finally, you have to be honest with your resources and respect their asks to continue to deal with you in the future.
What do you see as the role of foreign correspondents in protecting and advancing press freedom internationally?
This is particularly important, and we have to continue to champion freedom of the press everywhere because it is a value by itself, and we have to fight for it in every society
Would you like to share a message with your colleagues in the foreign correspondents' community?
Thanks to the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA that gave me this opportunity, and it is especially important to work together to protect the freedom of the press around the world.
