INTERVIEWERS: GABRIELA NEVES & MAHMOUD MANSI

Photography: Mostafa Naguib

“Media in general should be a powerful tool to keep those in authoritative positions, be it governments, managers of companies, or even heads of households, in check. The ultimate goal ought to be speaking truth to power.

Aya Nader

THE INTERVIEW

  1. Aya, Why did you choose journalism as a profession? And how do you define journalism in your own way?

I have always been passionate about writing. I wrote my first article when I was 14 years old. Growing up and seeing how the world is, I decided to use the written word as a tool to fight injustice, give voice to the voiceless, and shed light on stories that need telling. These functions lie in the heart of the definition of journalism in my opinion. Media in general should be a powerful tool to keep those in authoritative positions, be it governments, managers of companies, or even heads of households, in check. The ultimate goal ought to be speaking truth to power.

  1. During your graduation, you participated in several trainee programs. How did you find the corporate world in Egypt?

I am a free spirit, so the corporate world does not suit me. I was not built for an office. I very much prefer working in my pajamas from the comfort of my bed (throw in a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket if it is cold). It gives me a chance to wake up whenever I want, workout anytime of the day, and read more. Freelancing also gives me the freedom to travel whenever I want, attend more conferences, and work on my own time. To top this all, no horrid Cairo traffic in my everyday routine!

  1. Did your marketing and business training internships help you in any way in your journalism career?

They made me sure I do not want to do anything but be a journalist. If I had any doubts about my passion, they eliminated them and made me focus.

  1. What are the challenges you face as a freelancer?

I miss the newsroom sometimes. There is something about the environment in a newsroom, surrounded by colleagues from the same profession, getting excited together about breaking news or taking each other’s opinion in a story headline. Also, freelancing is not financially stable. So if you prefer a comfort zone rather than ups and downs, stay away.

  1. In your opinion what does a good journalist need in terms of talent and skills in order to become a professional one?

A journalist should be a good storyteller, weaving news and facts with narration. Being able to drag a reader in and making the piece interesting enough to read till the end is important. A journalist should also get as much sides of the story as possible, allowing for more objectivity. You don’t want to be seen as biased. Being quick to report breaking news is an asset as well. Talk to sources from both genders; sources tend to be male dominant. Being vocal and sociable leads to having a wider network of sources and more possible outlets to get your work published. And there is no such thing as too many questions. Be curious, and dig deeper.

  1. In Brazil, there is a great debate about whether or not the journalist needs a diploma. Do you think anyone can be a journalist? Or do you believe graduation is important?

While having talent is what differentiates a good journalist from a great one, studying journalism emphasizes different tricks and styles, work ethics, and investigative skills. So studying is essential, be it in the form of a bachelor degree, graduate studies, a diploma, or a course. Otherwise, a person learns from experience and mistakes. Merge studying with experience and you’re golden.

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  1. What are the difficulties a journalist faces in the Middle East? And what about the difficulties of a female journalist?

Being a woman in most of the Middle East is a burden on its own, from facing harassment the moment they step out of their homes, up to having to snatch their rights, if they can, at their work places. Adding a hostile environment for journalists makes being a female journalist in the Middle East a lethal combination. Repression, imprisonment and even death are all major realities journalists have to face in the region. Gender discrimination in tasks, wages, and positions, as well as the obstacles they face on the job. Sexual demands, refusal to talk to a “woman” and other societal ills double the strain of the profession in a culture that respects neither journalists nor women.

  1. Since you are a freelancer, how do you manage your time, the articles and guidelines you need to write?

I won’t lie. Sometimes it is a complete mess, other times life is perfectly in place. It mainly depends on the workload and my state of mind. How I manage is I do a to-do list every morning, crossing out each item I get done. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, even if a minor one. I start off by a simple task to get myself in the mood, such as going through an interview I had conducted or editing an article.

  1. What further advice do you have to freelancers in all fields living in Egypt to have a better income? And how is your life as a freelancer in contrast with all the rising prices and the sinking of the Egyptian pound?

I work more. It is something I enjoy doing. I also try to fit in a piece or two for international outlets. They value journalism more than local ones.

  1. You worked in several newspapers and magazines. What is your opinion about the management system in media industries in Egypt? What would you do different management wise if you were a magazine owner?

Wages in Egypt are extremely low. A journalist may go out of his or her way for a story, risking their lives sometimes, only to get a crappy pay. There is no appreciation as well. Bosses, indeed, are horrible. So they neither get monetary nor moral support. Sometimes journalists are forced to write about topics they do not feel greatly about. I would negate all of this. Journalists would feel that they are shareholders of the magazine, and that its success is theirs. I would also make sure the learning and growth curve for each individual is constantly on the rise. Probably there would be a party every month *wink*.

  1. Do you think in Egypt there are enough good writers? What do writers in Egypt lack mostly?

There are good writers, just not enough. What I call “The Egyptian School of Journalism” prevails, making journalists either plagiarizers, sensational, or state propagandists. Ethics and understanding of the core of journalism is missing in Egypt.

  1. Are journalists in Egypt fully getting their rights? What more rights would help enhance the journalism industry in Egypt?

Absolutely not. The profession is frowned upon, whether by authorities, the public, or sometimes families. Additionally, not all journalists get to register in the syndicate, putting them in further trouble. Although the future is for online journalism, only those who work for print get an official press ID.

  1. If you are an HR working in a newspaper, and you are recruiting a journalist, what would be the questions you ask?

I would ask them why they want to be journalists. They need to be convicted of what they do, and be passion driven. I would also ask what the toughest task they have been through was. Knowing how far they are willing to go for their work is essential. What topics they are interested in are pivotal for story assignment, role allocation, and diversity. What would they do to improve the magazine? This would indicate that they actually researched the place they applied for, as well as give a sense of contribution. I would hold them to it. Besides questions, work samples speak for themselves.

  1. Have you ever thought about creating your own journalism workshop? How would you teach people journalism?

I would love to do that some day. I believe in sharing knowledge and giving back. If I were to give a workshop, I would start with ethics of the profession, moving on to examples of what NOT to do, then basics of a report, followed by more complex story styles. I would make my students write right away, after all this is a practical field. The less theoretical it is, the better. Trial and error is the way to advance.

Aya Nader’s Work:

Daily News Egypt

Egyptian Streets

Al-Monitor

Open Democracy

Masress

Because

The Cairo Review