Read on Twitter
Local journalists, the vital work they do & the inadequate pay, credit & treatment they receive all reflect a deep structural inequality of journalism (plus research & regional "expertise" more broadly).
Today, it's an Afghan discussion. A global problem. https://gijn.org/2017/11/16/fixer/
Today, it's an Afghan discussion. A global problem. https://gijn.org/2017/11/16/fixer/
The 2017 report described in the link above was one of the first real explorations by Western scholar-journalists into the depth of this inequality. It triggered further study of the issue and intense conversations. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334614474_The_Fixers_Local_News_Workers_and_the_Underground_Labor_of_International_Reporting
But it took far too long, and nearly enough has changed.
Some colleagues see the struggle and have taken up the fight; others, not yet. The structure still stands. https://twitter.com/TimorSharan/status/1320252841135640576?s=20
Some colleagues see the struggle and have taken up the fight; others, not yet. The structure still stands. https://twitter.com/TimorSharan/status/1320252841135640576?s=20
There is not a Westerner alive, away from their own home, who isn't carrying much of this inequality with them & within their work.
Even the most generous, empowering allies aren't perfect. And they are moreover often bound by institutional rules, procedures, limits to change.
Even the most generous, empowering allies aren't perfect. And they are moreover often bound by institutional rules, procedures, limits to change.
We must advocate, amplify, acknowledge, more than even feels possible.
I have, far too many times, been swept up in the heat of urgent task or crisis; tearing down the system gets put on hold.
I now think about it every day. But still don't do enough.
https://niemanreports.org/articles/fixing-the-journalist-fixer-relationship
I have, far too many times, been swept up in the heat of urgent task or crisis; tearing down the system gets put on hold.
I now think about it every day. But still don't do enough.
https://niemanreports.org/articles/fixing-the-journalist-fixer-relationship
I never met Aliyas Dayee, titan of journalism in Helmand Afghanistan.
All that makes sense, today, is to thank and praise Afghan reporters and researchers who mean so much to me, my work, my understanding. To make sharing their names & their work a constant part of *my* work.
All that makes sense, today, is to thank and praise Afghan reporters and researchers who mean so much to me, my work, my understanding. To make sharing their names & their work a constant part of *my* work.
. @TimorSharan @MalaliBashir @rahmat_amiri @MujMash @Samiullah_mahdi @Orzala @Borhan @FatmaFaizi and so many more - they change my entire outlook.
Like, I don't know what I learn from more: @FForotan's sharp, industry-leading interviews or her expressive, soulful posts...
Like, I don't know what I learn from more: @FForotan's sharp, industry-leading interviews or her expressive, soulful posts...
Many of the above names you may already know. Need to boost the ones we might not.
@ali_adili delivers finest Kabul political analysis; @EhsanQaane the best legal explainers, while @hussaini_kh, @muzhary and others comprise an all-star team - and this is just @AANafgh!
@ali_adili delivers finest Kabul political analysis; @EhsanQaane the best legal explainers, while @hussaini_kh, @muzhary and others comprise an all-star team - and this is just @AANafgh!
These names are a drop in the bucket. Even if I list them all, every amazing Afghan I follow - this problem can't be fought with a few tweets.
But maybe, committing to a few short notes every single day, is a decent (tiny) step. Celebrating people long before they leave us.
But maybe, committing to a few short notes every single day, is a decent (tiny) step. Celebrating people long before they leave us.
