ISTANBUL, Turkey—Journalism is a business of know how—how to write or package a story, how to find information or an angle that can shed new light whatever you are covering. Knowing the craft and practicing its techniques is something you learn, sometimes in school, but often by doing. Your work reflects whatever skills and insights you can muster.
I believe I can be good at what I do, but in my case, on international stories, having friends, contacts, and cultivating relationships always made the key difference. It always helps to find someone who lives there, who speaks the language, who knows their way around and who can take you into new worlds within the worlds you are trying to navigate.
Maps may help but mentors and mediators who can help you avoid making mistakes and provide the context and background you don’t know are indispensable.
Most inspiring were the efforts they are making to fight for more openness.
Learning the art of networking is crucial. Finding friends with friends is crucial and always makes the difference in fleshing out important stories. This is a way of connecting you to people you would rarely meet on your own.
via Journalism and ‘Know Who’ in Istanbul | Opinion | Epoch Times.
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