UAE interns on CNN experiences

Dubai

There is good news for rookies looking to be broadcast journalists — CNN has been actively running internship programmes across its Abu Dhabi bureau and the CNN Arabic office in Dubai for over a decade with a strong focus to encourage local talent and give them the training and experience of working with an international broadcaster. Some of the current staff at CNN were employed after interning in the CNN Dubai office. Currently, several Emirati students are interning at the CNN Abu Dhabi bureau with CNN tying up with local universities and TwoFour54 to promote local talent.

It has been an exciting experience for the current crop of interns say the three representative interns at the CNN office — Sylvia Narouz Sarkies Narouz (20) a senior at the American University in Dubai, currently taking media courses, Dhabya Al Muhairi (22) a final year student of Converged Media (Journalism) with a minor in Literature at Zayed University and Mohammad Saeed Al Nowais, (21) a final year student of Applied Media at the Abu Dhabi Men’s College.

While Sylvia applied through an email to CNN, Dhabya applied online to twofour 54 and Mohammad was selected for the internship by his university supervisor as he had good English proficiency and an outgoing personality.

The routine at the job

Sylvia: At CNN Arabic, I was given a story on a daily basis, and worked on it. Some of the projects I worked on took up to two weeks to complete.

Dhabya: I would come in every day knowing for sure that what I would be doing on that day would differs from the day before. News is dynamic, and so was my job. I would gather headlines from the region, scout the news on the latest happenings and see if we could bring in some of these stories to use for Global Exchange, CNN’s business show that sheds light on emerging markets. I was lucky to experience how it is like conducting interviews first hand, go on live shoots and observe what it is like to be behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Mohammad: One of the perks of the CNN internship was that there was no routine. Everyday, you would encounter unique and fascinating learning experiences that are prone to influence and inspire you as an individual and as a professional.

Breaking news moments

Sylvia: I recall a time when the former President Mursi was addressing the Egyptians and the whole office tuned in to listen to what he was saying. There was another time when there was a factory that was on fire and we quickly got photographers on the ground and covered the story.

Mohammad: I definitely experienced multiple breaking news moments during my tenure at CNN. However, one of the most astonishing breaking news was when the Internet cable was sabotaged off the coast of Egypt, which ultimately resulted in broadcasting setbacks in most of the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Sylvia: I came into the internship wanting to either be a writer or a video editor. Now after having done at least one of those in a real life situation, I am sure this is what I want.

Mohammad: I have always been fascinated by the work delivered behind the camera, as I consider that this is where the engine of news broadcasting is located. Being able to distinguish and appreciate the importance of proper apertures, angles, lighting techniques or camera movements are crucial in achieving a certain appearance, therefore in my opinion we, behind the camera, control a great deal of what we want to transmit to our viewers.

The essentials of newsgathering

Sylvia: I have learnt that the most important and essential part of newsgathering is the research. It is very important that you know exactly what you’re going to be asking to get the desired result. I used to write pieces in university, but they were all based on things I had previous knowledge about. I took the opportunity to use the CNN brand to do a story where I needed to contact government officials in Egypt. Although the officials would not comment, I at least had the chance to ask them a question. Something I would otherwise have not been able to do.

Dhabya: Being aware of what’s happening around us is essential; to have an ear for what people are talking about is important too. You not only have to know what the paper and news channels are saying, but also what is it that people are discussing, whether it is using social media or just listening to conversations at home, work, or university.

Another thing would be the idea of how to tell a story differently — finding a new perspective of a story that is in the radar is crucial. You always want to tell the story with a new angle but more importantly by being true and accurate while doing so.

Mohammad: I have learned of the importance of being ethical while dealing with newsgathering, the significance of reliable sources, the mastery of multitasking and how to keep an acute sense of timing. Although at times it is challenging to combine all these aspects, the outcomes make the experience and tension extremely worthwhile.

The tenets of being a broadcast journalist

Sylvia: I think the most important thing about being in broadcast journalism, or any type of journalism for that matter, is knowledge. To have that knowledge, a journalist must have one of two things — a trusted source of information or amazing research skills. Even in a Breaking News segment, when the story needs to get to the public the moment it happens, the story still has a history that the viewer/reader/listener might benefit from knowing. Hence, it is crucial to completely know what I am talking about before talking about it.

Dhabya: Good public speaking skills is one, and being informative is another. You have to be able to express the story in a precise manner. It is important that you have a personality that is friendly and trustworthy. You will be speaking to people from different social statuses, nationalities and mind-sets, and your personal view should not interfere. There is no room for bias in this business, especially when working closely with sources. Being able to write well is the most important skill anyone wanting to join this field should have. I was told that if you can write well, you can be anything in this business, be it a writer, reporter or producer!

Mohammad: It is particularly important to be ethical in what we do, as we are the channels through which our audience receives information and we have a great impact on their judgement. Also, as a journalist, it is crucial to be responsible, flexible and impartial.

Sylvia: What I have learnt at CNN is more than I would have ever learnt by simply studying journalism. As I watch news unfold in front of me, I am awestruck at the speed and the efficiency of broadcast journalism. In school, we are given time to work on a piece, but here I see journalists working and publishing stories on CNNArabic.com in minutes.

Dhabya: Studying the principles of journalism is easy, but applying them is hard. However, with the right guidance and motivation, you learn the skills you need in this business.

People have misunderstood journalism — to them, it has become a synonym for the word ‘troublemaker’.

Having to redefine the term is a challenge but we continue to do so by being true to its ethics and principles. Realising this during my internship is the reason I want to continue working in this field. I want to change the way people view journalism and journalists, especially in this region.

I understood that you learn the greatest lessons when you make mistakes and I have made a lot of them. I was lucky to have a supportive team at CNN who encouraged me to keep learning and who guided me through the various jobs I did. My mistakes were never an obstacle but always a challenge to do better the next time.

Mohammad: This opportunity has given me hands-on experience on what I want to achieve in my career. I have learnt a great deal from CNN and I cherish every moment that I spent there.

Sylvia: I am opposed to the idea that journalists should give their opinion on a news event for two reasons — one, because people tune into the news to know what is happening in the world and not to be hear what the journalist thinks, and second, journalists need to be fair while presenting a topic.

Mohammad: If a journalist is able to deliver ethical and impartial information, he/she will gain their audience and the respect of their colleagues. Integrity is, above all, a big and fundamental element that has to be upheld.

Sylvia: Hopefully working in a company like CNN, and aiming high enough to be working alongside the great talent who are at CNN now.

Dhabya: I want to tell stories from around the world and share them with people. I want to do it with accuracy and passion, and through that I will build my character and skills to reach my many goals. One day, I hope to be an international correspondent and report live from destinations with events that are changing the world.

Mohammad: I see myself as being committed to a career in journalism, specifically behind the camera. I am confident that by then I will have augmented my current skills and developed into a respected professional.

NEXT WEEK: How to apply for CNN internship.