This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/media-blog/2013/apr/18/african-journalist-one-world-awards
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| An African reports on Africa for the UK: 'It's the best of both worlds' | An African reports on Africa for the UK: 'It's the best of both worlds' |
| (4 months later) | |
| As an African journalist reporting Africa for the British media, there are certain challenges. Notably, western audiences have been seeing negative images of Africa for years and challenging that perception is not an easy task. | As an African journalist reporting Africa for the British media, there are certain challenges. Notably, western audiences have been seeing negative images of Africa for years and challenging that perception is not an easy task. |
| When I decided to try and break into the British media, many of my friends and family members thought I was unrealistic. They believed my background was the obstacle: I am a refugee from Somalia and English is not my first language. | When I decided to try and break into the British media, many of my friends and family members thought I was unrealistic. They believed my background was the obstacle: I am a refugee from Somalia and English is not my first language. |
| But I was confident that having knowledge of both the western and African cultures put me in a privileged position. I realised my identity was the key in making it into the media and bridging the gap. After all, I am a local man in many interesting parts of Africa. I thought editors could put up with my unfamiliar background. All I needed to do was to come up with good ideas and gain access to places that are almost inaccessible for a typical westerner. | But I was confident that having knowledge of both the western and African cultures put me in a privileged position. I realised my identity was the key in making it into the media and bridging the gap. After all, I am a local man in many interesting parts of Africa. I thought editors could put up with my unfamiliar background. All I needed to do was to come up with good ideas and gain access to places that are almost inaccessible for a typical westerner. |
| For example, in Somalia, British journalists (and westerners in general) attempting to meet pirates and al-Qaeda linked Islamists face the threat of being kidnapped or killed. But as a Somali, as long as I avoid certain local pitfalls, the risk is minimal. | For example, in Somalia, British journalists (and westerners in general) attempting to meet pirates and al-Qaeda linked Islamists face the threat of being kidnapped or killed. But as a Somali, as long as I avoid certain local pitfalls, the risk is minimal. |
| As much as I appreciate that they are not a threat to my life in the same way, they appreciate that I'm not a threat to them. Trust is paramount in this profession. And generally people do not trust western journalists. The suspicion is that they would either portray a negative image or may not be genuine journalists. | As much as I appreciate that they are not a threat to my life in the same way, they appreciate that I'm not a threat to them. Trust is paramount in this profession. And generally people do not trust western journalists. The suspicion is that they would either portray a negative image or may not be genuine journalists. |
| With my local knowledge, my stories are more authentic. More importantly, I cannot be easily tricked into believing the untruthful. During one of my recent stories on Channel 4 News, I met actors in Nairobi, Kenya who were pretending to be pirates and they gave many interviews to westerners. In contrast, I was able to tell the difference because of their accents and even many of them didn't speak Somali. | With my local knowledge, my stories are more authentic. More importantly, I cannot be easily tricked into believing the untruthful. During one of my recent stories on Channel 4 News, I met actors in Nairobi, Kenya who were pretending to be pirates and they gave many interviews to westerners. In contrast, I was able to tell the difference because of their accents and even many of them didn't speak Somali. |
| Depending on the nature of the story, there are ways you can do some basic fact checking. But foreign journalists have to rely on others to do the job for them. And by not knowing local political loyalties and other complex issues, there are so many things that could go wrong. | Depending on the nature of the story, there are ways you can do some basic fact checking. But foreign journalists have to rely on others to do the job for them. And by not knowing local political loyalties and other complex issues, there are so many things that could go wrong. |
| Having lived in the UK for more than a decade, during which I studied journalism at Kingston University, London, I can see issues from different viewpoints and approach them with sensitivity. Equally, I can tackle controversial subjects without fear of being accused of having a hidden agenda against anyone. I am having the best of both worlds. | Having lived in the UK for more than a decade, during which I studied journalism at Kingston University, London, I can see issues from different viewpoints and approach them with sensitivity. Equally, I can tackle controversial subjects without fear of being accused of having a hidden agenda against anyone. I am having the best of both worlds. |
| Jamal Osman is a former winner and judge of this year's One World Media awards, which promote journalism that contributes to understanding of international development. The 2013 awards ceremony is on Tuesday, 7 May, 2013 in London | Jamal Osman is a former winner and judge of this year's One World Media awards, which promote journalism that contributes to understanding of international development. The 2013 awards ceremony is on Tuesday, 7 May, 2013 in London |
| • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". | • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". |
| • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook | • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |