Posted on 12/22/2005 12:22:16 PM PST by Mister Ghost
Young, Baghdad-based Iraqi Journalist, 24 Steps To Liberty, runs the very fine and appropriately named 24 Steps To Liberty Blog, where he provides his readers with a Reporter's and Personal Perspective on the Events, Dramas, Politics, and Happenings in Iraq and his Life, as well as his chosen profession of Journalism.
It's The In T View: 24 Steps To Liberty, Iraqi Journalist
Excerpt:
Journalism
MG: Who, What, Where, Why, and How: What is the Most Important Question you as an Iraqi Journalist can ask when getting to the Heart of a Story?
24 Steps: What? I love this question. From there, I lead the way to wherever I want.
MG: What is the Typical Day of an Iraqi Journalist like?
24 Steps: Wake up in the morning at about 7am, dress up, and tell himself or herself in the mirror that "No one and nothing will make me upset today." then drive (if has a car) to the office ignoring the stupid government's decision of cars with even car license number could drive a day, and with odd drive the next!!! Arrive to the office. For those who work for foreign news outlets, they read the Iraqi newspapers to get an idea of what is going on. At least eight newspapers. Then read his or her newspaper, then the competition. Then start working. As for me, I look if there is any press conference I should go to do any interview I already set up and go to. Or, as usual, for those who cover violence, go out to the every-day-bombings. By the time they come back from all this stuff, it is almost 4 or 5 pm. They file and, as for me, go back home at around 9pm. That's it. (that's in fact a typical day for me)
MG: The hotel near your office in Baghdad was recently targeted by Suicide Bombers causing some damage to it: So, how Dangerous is it to be a Reporter in Iraq?
24 Steps: It is one of the most dangerous and unappreciated jobs in Iraq now. You never know when you are going to be in the wrong place.
MG: Have you lost any Journalist Friends or Aquaintances to the violence?
24 Steps: No.
MG: Do you feel safe/secure returning to your workplace after a close explosion, or is the thought always in the back of your mind, the next time they're going to strike directly at me?
24 Steps: No, in fact that day, when they hit a few yards away from the office, I was on my way driving to the office, but the shooting afterward and targeting any car drove by the scene prevented me from entering the compound. So I had to wait for another hour to go back. And this is not the first time this happens near the office, we had car bomb pretty much the same distance as the one happened while ago. So, it is not a big deal. It became an expected drama.
MG: Is it a tight-knit community of Iraqi journalists? Do you know each other and watch out for each other?
24 Steps: No.
MG: Do you have be secretive when discussing your job, especially in your own neighborhood?
24 Steps: I don't even discuss it. That would be attempting suicide.
MG: How does the Average Iraqi view Journalists, especially those working with the Western Media?
24 Steps: Well, it differs according to level of education, but mainly they think we are "rich" people and don't care about our country or conveying the truth and that we just follow what the foreigners say.
MG: Do Iraqi Journalists fall in love with each other? Is Inter-Journalism Dating common?
24 Steps: This issue is not a big deal here, so I don't hear about it at all.
MG: Is there Government Censorship of the Media in Iraq?
24 Steps: Of course there is, but hidden. And they cannot prevent you from writing something, but they would target you through the irregular armed militias, which all belong to parties that dominate the government.
MG: Is there Religious Censhorship of the Iraqi Media? Can you or any of your fellow reporters write an article critical of Islam?
24 Steps: No, we are free to write, but again, it is the tradition. You would be also targeted just because you violated the rule of traditions.
MG: Are there some reporters in Iraq who are Gore Junkies? People attracted to the Death, Destruction, and Misery?
24 Steps: I haven't hear this before.
MG: After interviewing the family members of victims of the various Massacres, Explosions, and Shootings, how do you Decompress, Escape from Trauma And Refresh your Mind? Do you take the events of your work day home with you?
24 Steps: I just don't think about it after I am done. I've never thought of a bombing scene after I filed the report to the newspaper or my bureau chief. Otherwise, I would be mentally sick now.
MG: What's the most annoying thing to you about the Foreign Media in Iraq?
24 Steps: Many of the news outlets have their own agenda. Plus, they come to Iraq with no idea about the country and its tradition, which leads to exchanged misunderstanding and disrespect.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.