My ethical career: Freelance journalist

Age
29

Education?
A BA (Hons) in English literature at Exeter University. Postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism at Falmouth College of Arts.

So, what do you actually do?
I’m an freelance journalist, striving to make a positive difference to the world by highlighting important social issues which are sometimes overlooked by mainstream media. My latest project was reporting on the deteriorating security situation in Somalia, and the increasing incidences of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

What’s so ethical about your job?
For me journalism is about telling people’s individual stories to the world, in the hope that, in the future there will be some kind of social change for the better. I work on a shoestring budget, backpacking to places where I feel there is a story and staying as long as it takes to find the truth of a situation. By working as an independent freelance journalist I am not constrained by editorial demands, so I can make sure I get to the heart of the real story.

How did you get into journalism?
At university I got involved with the campus television station and student newspaper and my passion for journalism grew from there. After uni, I did a work placement as a newspaper reporter and TV producer in Ghana. Then I started to write for local magazines and got a job as an investigative reporter working on documentaries for ITV South West.

What skills and experience do you need in this area of work?
Determination, tenacity and passion. It helps if you can really listen and emphasise with people without judgement and you need to be prepared to report on difficult issues, even if it’s risky.

Most memorable experience in this job?
Bobbing up and down in a speed boat in Mogadishu harbour for thee and a half hours trying not to be seasick. I was with Dutch Special Forces as they waited to hand over the protection of a ship carrying UN World Food Programme Aid to the African Union Mission to Somalia. I should have been worrying about whether or not we were going to be shot at by rogue militia onshore, but I was concentrating so hard on not being seasick.

Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work?
Never give up hope and always keep a sense of humour. I think it’s also important to always be honest and nice to people you meet along the way, even if you are working against a tight deadline. Above all, I think you need to have passion for your chosen career and never forget it, because ultimately that is what will keep you going.

Reporters Without Borders
www.rsf.org