It's always harder for foreign journalists to build reliable sources in the US
Rafael Mathus Ruiz is the US Correspondent for Argentine newspaper La Nacion. Rafael began his career as a Foreign Correspondent in New York, in 2010, after completing an MA in Journalism at Columbia University. He has covered three presidential campaigns in the US, and his international reporting has covered Norway, Myanmar, Turkey, India, Nepal, and Mexico, among other countries. His work has been featured in Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Spain, and the United States. He has been a contributor for NTN24 & CNN en Español. Rafael is an economist, and the co-author of “Los Legalizadores”, a book about the legalization of cannabis in the US by Planeta.
For your country's audience, why does US news reporting matter?
The United States is still the most powerful country in the world. It is the biggest foreign investor in Argentina and one of our main trade partners. Washington has a strong political influence in the Hemisphere. The bilateral relationship is significant for Argentina because right now, Argentina is in the middle of a negotiation with the IMF, and the US is the only country with the power to veto any potential deal. In addition, there is a strong interest in US politics and a robust connection between Argentinians and two of the most iconic US cities, Miami and New York.
What makes working as a foreign correspondent in the US so special?
First and foremost, I can´t think of another post for a foreign correspondent as important or relevant as Washington. The world is watching, you are constantly under the spotlight, and the reporting's importance, diversity, and intensity are unique. The stories over the last decade have been historic and incredibly interesting to report on. In no other place, you learn as much about the world as working in Washington. And finally, Americans are deeply engaged with their reality. They push for change, create movements, they rally, and they talk. Everywhere I went to report, people opened up to me. It is one of the most fascinating aspects of reporting in America. I approach people, ask questions, and they respond. That openness is also unique.
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 US as a foreign journalist?
Rafael Mathus Ruiz is the US Correspondent for Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
I moved to the US to do a master's at Columbia University in New York. That was an advantage since it allowed me to get to know the country, its idiosyncrasies, culture, and political system. It was only after I finished my master's that I started my career as a Foreign Correspondent. The major challenge I faced was building a network of reliable sources. That always takes time, but it is harder as a foreign journalist. There is a wide range of topics to cover as a foreign correspondent –politics, Wall Street, foreign affairs, terrorism, gun violence, etc.– so there is a lot of background you need to absorb to explain what is happening in-depth to a foreign audience.
What was the biggest disappointment in your experience as a foreign correspondent? What was the most significant success you've had?
I was not in Washington on January 6th during the Capitol attack. It was probably the biggest story of my time, and I wasn´t here. It is a reality you must cope with. It is impossible to be everywhere all the time to report on every story. Nonetheless, it´s disappointing when it happens. My most successful coverage was a road trip from Washington to Wisconsin through the Rust Belt during the last presidential campaign. On the road, I talked to regular folks, politicians, campaign workers, and volunteers. Going door to door to understand what is going on in the country has been one of the biggest privileges I´ve had as a correspondent, and it has led to some of my best reporting.
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?
Talk to as many people as you can connect with colleagues who have been here longer than you, learn from them. Don´t be shy about asking for help because journalists are very generous. And be persistent. Don´t let frustration undermine your effort or will. I´ve had a lot of emails and phone calls unanswered before getting to the “yes, I´d be happy to talk to you.”
What is a typical day like for you as a foreign correspondent in Washington, D.C?
I start my day as most people do these days: I pick up my phone. I check messages, my alerts, then I move to Twitter to catch up with the latest news, and I start reading the papers, first Argentinian media, then American media. I get the Washington Post at my door, I still love the habit of reading a newspaper, so I usually finish the news during breakfast. Then the real day begins. If I don´t have to go somewhere to report, I do emails and then connect with my editors to figure out what we are going to work on that day. If there is no coverage no breaking news, I will spend my day reading, catching up with sources, or working on features. But most days, I usually file two or three breaking news stories a day, so I spend most of the time reporting, reading, and writing. I close shop early, so evenings are usually free. I do a last round of emails at night to plan for the following day. Typical days, though, are rare. One of the things I like about my job is how different one day can be from the previous one.
How has your career as a foreign correspondent in the US shaped you as a professional and person?
I learned an incredible amount about the world and grew up both professionally and as a person. Some of my colleagues have been true mentors, both in journalism and in life. Some interviews have completely changed my world views or opened unknown realities. I have been able to travel extensively and to be a witness of our time. Being a journalist is a huge privilege, and being a foreign correspondent is an even bigger one.
(Photo Credits: Rafael Mathus Ruiz)
