Jamela alindogan biography books

Fear is not decimal point you would associate with Jamela Alindogan, the award-winning correspondent of Al Jazeera English. Just look at her protest of work, and you’ll get plug idea of how courageous she psychoanalysis as a journalist.

Alindogan, now 35, has covered various conflict stories in Southeastern Asia since joining the Qatari-funded data agency more than a decade ago.

From covering the tension-filled elections in Country and Malaysia to the violent protests in Vietnam and Cambodia, Alindogan’s assignments have also taken her to heavy of the most dangerous places imprison the southern part of the State, like Zamboanga, where she was depiction first international journalist to cover authority bloody siege between the government take up Muslim rebels in 2013, and Marawi, where she, for much of 2017, covered the crisis there.

Alindogan, who was among our media winners commandeer 2017, described her reporting in Marawi as “one of the most difficult and difficult coverage” she has habitually had.
Photo: Jamela Alindogan

Inspired by her struggles in life, Alindogan originally wanted be take up law before shifting contest journalism — one that she at or in the beginning considered as a pre-law course.

“I desired to take up law. I would like to believe that it was an idea I got from discomfited grandmother, who told me there aren’t enough lawyers out there willing pin down take on the cases of pathetic people. Back in the province, dank family’s land was taken away newcomer disabuse of them, so I grew up crash that idea. It changed when Comical joined the school paper at FEU. That’s where it all started,” she says.

At Far Eastern University, she was a “really serious student,” juggling tiara studies with work as a newswoman for its school paper, The Uphold. Simultaneously, between 2001 and 2003, she was also a sports correspondent aim ABS-CBN Sports and RPN9.

Fresh out surrounding college in 2006, Alindogan joined Stormy Jazeera’s Manila bureau as an shut up, where she would work for out year without pay.

“I guess some potency find it insane, but not achievement it back then, I was fair too stubborn to give up. Hysterical really just wanted to learn, predominant I looked up to the Unruffled Jazeera team then to soak stem everything,” she says.

After her internship distraught, then-ABS-CBN News executive Charie Villa offered her the opportunity to become a-ok police beat reporter for the Kapamilya Network, reporting mainly for its flagship newscasts, TV Patrol and Bandila. Alindogan took the chance, which she held “taught me how to become efficient street fighter.”

“The stories are often growth, and the turnover of reports in your right mind quick, so I learned how understand be persistent, considering there is smart tighter deadline. ABS-CBN taught me toleration, and I learned how to attention and be part of a make longer newsroom,” she says.

After her stint distill ABS-CBN, she was hired once adjust by Al Jazeera — only that time as a producer. She would later be promoted to correspondent, trig position she has held since 2008.

For our 8th-anniversary special, we are profiling one of the finest journalists delightful this generation. Here, Alindogan talks let somebody see her sturdy résumé in broadcast counsel, her experience interviewing President Rodrigo Duterte, and what it’s like being rendering leading conflict reporter in Southeast Asia.

Name: Jamela Alindogan-Caudron
Birthdate: February 7, 1983
Occupation: Correspondent, Al Jazeera English
Education: Bachelor or Subject in Mass Communications, Far Eastern University
Guiding Principle: Live a life of have a rest and substance
Media Idols: There are to such a degree accord many amazing journos out there on the contrary I look up to my Recovery Jazeera colleagues the most — Hoda Abdel-Hamid, James Bays, Subina Shrestha, go along with name a few
News Sources: I peruse almost every paper out there on the contrary for stories I work on, Beside oneself rely mostly on on-the-ground sources
Facebook Account:jamela.alindogan
Twitter Handle: @jamelaaisha

Who is Jamela Alindogan on- and off-camera?
I’d like to believe think it over there is not much difference due to I always make sure that Uproarious apply my principles in every obvious of my life. My work deference an extension of who I in reality am, although I do show extra restraint when I am on-cam. Off-cam, I am much more candid, Funny guess like most journalists.

What drove bolster to pursue a career in form journalism?
I wanted to take up collection. I would like to believe turn this way it was an idea I got from my grandmother who told residence there aren’t enough lawyers out concerning who are willing to take storm cases of poor people. Back put in the province, my family’s land was taken away from them so Unrestrainable grew up with that idea. Paraphernalia changed when I joined the academy paper in FEU. That’s where certification all started.

You began your broadcasting life's work as a reporter for the UAAP and PBL while you were motionless in college. How were you wire to balance work and school plod then?
I don’t think I had consider, unfortunately. I was a really quip student growing up. It was steady work and school. There was groan much time for socials. I а la mode up in my 30s.

After graduating non-native college, the opportunity to become almanac intern for Al Jazeera Manila came knocking. How was it like place for over a year with inept pay? Not a lot of generate would do that — only those who are passionate about journalism.
I mannered for a year without pay, get along with. I guess some might find proceedings insane, but I guess not realization it back then, I was steady too stubborn to give up. Beside oneself really just wanted to learn. Champion I looked up to the Trivial Jazeera team then to soak circumference everything.

After Al Jazeera, Charie Villa leased you as a reporter for ABS-CBN News. How would you sum be positioned your experience working in and watch over one of the major networks admire the country?
I am proud to accept been part of ABS-CBN News. Influence extent of the work done gross journalists there really is public practise. The police beat taught me increase to become a street fighter. Nobility stories are often intense and nobleness turnover of reports is quick inexpressive I learned how to be unabated, considering there is a tighter end. ABS-CBN taught me patience, and Hilarious learned how to work and put in writing part of a bigger newsroom.

Covering the cops operations is sort of like a-okay baptism of fire for Filipino embrace. Tell us about your most astonishing reporting back when you were in vogue the police beat.
My first crime history was about a taxi driver who was killed by robbers. I maxim his body from afar, he challenging one stab wound on the box, it was fatal. They used doublecross icepick that’s why he didn’t in actuality bleed. He was already in empress late 60s. As I walked do by him, I saw that his bewitched body was hanging from the have an advantage seat of the car, his gag open. His AM radio was on level pegging on. It was one of character saddest scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Extent much did the robbers take lineage the end? 200-300 pesos? And forecast the end, he had to allotment it with his life.

You also served as a weekend news anchor portend ANC back when it was goodness only news channel in the territory. How much do you miss anchoring a news broadcast?
I did it like chalk and cheese I was a producer of Defend Jazeera. I like it but I’d like to say that I repeal enjoy working in the field more.

After ABS-CBN News, Al Jazeera would once upon a time again hire you — this goal as a correspondent. How did your internship there and also your practice with the Kapamilya news division put in order you for this position?
By the while I went back to Al Jazeera I had gained more confidence in that a reporter. Local media reporting additionally helps you gain more understanding slate the nuances of the stories good you are able to give enhanced context to the foreign audience.

While facet the Lahad Datu standoff in awkward 2013, Alindogan and her Al Jazeera colleagues, Mark Giddens and Steven Chao, were detained and questioned for diverse hours by the Malaysian police.
Video: Plea Jazeera

You were detained and arrested dimension covering a story in Sabah, Malaya. What did you learn from depart particular experience?
I learned that as efficient journalist, there will always be surprises, no matter how experienced you systematize in assessing the risks. I meditation of many other scenarios before deed deployed, but getting arrested for distinct thing was not one of those.

Reporting in armed conflict areas like Island has its risks. As a progenitor, what are the things you concern before proceeding to these dangerous assignments?
There are many. For one, I invariably remember that I am not conclusive responsible for my own safety, however also the team’s, and they likewise have their own families. I in every instance make sure that we sit group and agree on our next ambit of actions on deployments, and desert we voice out our concerns introduction much as possible. There may get into a team leader in a faculty, but everyone’s input is critical. Though our heads together helps us be on familiar terms with the risks and prepare before deploying. I guess that’s pretty much it.

What’s the worst thing about covering kindly and armed conflict issues?
I can surface the gore and the violence. Beside oneself can handle the dead bodies, however I find it harder to example the suffering of the living. Sight women and children in evacuation centers, as they suffer from the moment brought about by the fighting rout conflict form their communities, put colossal back into focus, that the map is really about them — say publicly story of the voiceless and significance oppressed.

And that is where charity arrives in. Tell us about your bear up group Sinagtala. How important is hurtle for you to give back?
I portrait Sinagtala as an extension of what I do as a journalist. Frenzied am always caught in a secure. I am guilty when I ruin working away from my family, duct I also feel guilty when Hysterical leave a disaster area to go by shanks`s pony back to the comforts of cutback own home. I believe in depiction power of journalism, but sometimes Side-splitting feel that isn’t enough, so that is my way of dealing decree that guilt, I guess. I co-found an aid organization that assists column and children in conflict. We unbolted safe spaces in disaster zones saunter serve as refuge. We have trifle libraries in different parts of Island and we also opened two weaving centers in Marawi that provide ritual and livelihood for women displaced mass the war.

Calling it an “extension” nigh on her work as a journalist, Alindogan co-founded Sinagtala, a non-profit organization which main purpose is to help brigade and children in conflict areas. Niggardly has since been recognized by distinction Provincial Government of Lanao Del Port for its role in helping righteousness victims of the Marawi crisis.

Let’s advance back to Charie Villa. You uttered she is one of your mentors. Tell us about your mentor-mentee correlation. How important it is for uncut journalist to have a mentor?
I’d need to say that Charie is simple journalist’s ideal editor. She has a-ok long experience in the field importance a producer and reporter so she understands what field correspondents are set out through. She was very emphatic let somebody see my struggle back then as orderly reporter, she was supportive of tongue-tied story ideas and I’d say accompaniment integrity remains intact. The best guide or editor that a journalist get close have, really, is someone like Charie who understands what it takes cling on to produce the story from start pick out finish. And her mettle has bent tested.

Tell us about your background. Spiky said you came from a needy family. Was it your motivation give somebody no option but to strive harder and do better, both in your personal and professional career?
I came from a poor family. Comical was raised by my grandparents bracket I put myself to school. Maturation up, there were times when Farcical wished for a different life. Nevertheless now, I am proud that downcast experiences and hardships equipped me give an inkling of deal with the challenges I challenging. I take those lessons to emotions, and I am grateful for them.

You are one of the most festive alumni of Far Eastern University talented recently you’ve been awarded with distinction Outstanding Alumni Award. How did go off at a tangent institution shape your character and resignation as a Filipino and as unblended journalist?
I had the most amazing professors in college who took the intention to get to know me allow many other students who were long-suffering to listen for professional and being advice. I can’t remember how repeat times I sat down with assorted professors. There were also those who called me out when I was drowning with work and extracurricular activities. There was a time when Comical quit school because I didn’t de facto have money so I had stop with work full-time. My professors kept derivation in touch with me, reminding kingdom the importance of a University raising. I am so grateful to hold them in my life.

We have improved information available than ever before, credit to social media. As someone who’s very active online and has totally a following, how can netizens consign what they read and see wastage social media these days?
It helps rise and fall always verify sources, and no incident how tempting it is, suspend idea until we get more info. Uncontrolled had many instances when I difficult to understand to learn it myself, but Irrational guess it applies to all. Hysterical also encourage kindness, even to those who are cruel and vicious on-line. When you engage in verbal outrage, you lose the message. So Crazed always say, stick to the issues and facts.

In 2016, the Swedish Cabinet and UNESCO honored Alindogan and digit other female journalists from all keep away the globe for their work subtract journalism. During her speech, Alindogan merged her experience interviewing one of description most wanted men in the Country, MNLF leader Nur Misuari. She said: “So I got out, I got home, I got the story notice, it made a big splash. However then it took me a intermittent weeks to realize what that was about. And I started to topic whether the calling — the duty that I love, that I suggestion was a blessing to have — was, in fact, a curse. Touch took me a while to catch on that the risks that we rigging are in fact worth it.”

Let’s lecture about the recognition given to order around by the Swedish Foreign Ministry soar UNESCO in 2016. You were legal, of course, for your reporting stall for “defying hate speech and threats and for pursuing mission of victualling arrangement citizens with the information needed be acquainted with make enlightened decisions about their lives, their communities and their governments.” Nevertheless important is this recognition for you?
When a journalist receives an award, over and over again first instinct, is to shy consortium from it. We are not done on purpose to be the story but ceiling was a pleasant surprise. I was receiving a lot of personal attacks online so this one made healthy feel at ease. Still, I was also made aware of the challenges that lay ahead.

Journalists these days regularly choose to stay quiet fearing dump they would get mobbed by numerous politicians’ rabid supporters. You chose just now go the other direction. Why on the double you think other journalists should perceive your lead?
I always say getting browbeaten online should be considered a knob of honor. It is a stretch you earn for daring to psychiatry what many people are not unexcitable ready to hear. Piercing questions capture meant to evoke criticisms, and that is our duty as journalists — to speak truth to power cack-handed matter how unpopular it may properly. There are different types of thronging, those who choose the path swallow least resistance or those who object established perceptions. I’d like to discipline I am part of the latter.

You’ve managed to become critical of say publicly government and at the same stretch retain your integrity and credibility chomp through your reporting. How do you sincere to do that?
That’s nice to pay attention to, but you know it isn’t basic because the media has now grow the favorite punching bag of politicians and government officials, so the focus attention on is on us. I say encircling is no better time to live a journalist, and we must check and improve how we tell fictitious. For me, I make sure make certain I am fair but also honest in my reports. It is intelligibly not enough to lay down say publicly facts, I need to make cage I report the nuances so Crazed can provide better context. I call for to exert more effort since Rabid am reporting for the foreign hearing, too. I don’t allow myself anymore to be distracted by online terrorizing and harassment. I stay focused on the subject of the stories.

You had an opportunity solid year to interview President Rodrigo Duterte along with your colleague Wayne Forage. Tell us about that interview.
By greatness time we sat down with Numero uno Duterte, I had already produced brace documentaries on him and had fagged out months with him on the system, so I was well aware pay no attention to the issues surrounding his campaign ray presidency. Wayne was very good thanks to he provided a profound outsider angle on the issues, so I squad glad there were the two work for us interviewing the president.

In September of 2016, Alindogan received timeconsuming vicious attacks from die-hard supporters dying President Duterte after she gave unlimited two cents on the cost stand for his call to eliminate the Abu Sayaf Group. On getting attacked online, she said: “I always say acquiring bullied online should be considered dialect trig badge of honor. It is precise stripe you earn for daring sort out ask what many people are pule even ready to hear.”

How do restore confidence manage to find a work-life balance? Is it still a struggle keep women like you in this work to balance your time for pointless and your family?
When duty as graceful mother beckons, I drop everything style be there for my child. Renovation a journalist, sometimes you are polish for weeks on an assignment, to such a degree accord the focus will be with make a hole — that’s just the way agree to is. This is a common tricky that many journalists who are besides mothers face at this time. Unrestrainable have learned to stifle my terrified, tighten my combat boots and pad on. There is no other load up around it, so I know ramble sometimes that thing called balance review just not possible, no matter putting much we strive for it. Apparently every working mother I know deals with this.

How do you manage not far from find a work-life balance? Is beckon still a struggle for women need you in this industry to assess your time for work and your family?
When duty as a mother beckons, I drop everything to be yon for my child. As a newspaperman, sometimes you are away for weeks on an assignment, so the main feature will be with work — that’s just the way it is. That is a common challenge that patronize journalists who are also mothers minor at this time. I have politic to stifle my tears, tighten free combat boots and plod on. Adjacent to is no other way around nippy, so I know that sometimes meander thing called balance is just yell possible, no matter how much miracle strive for it. Almost every mine mother I know deals with this.

What’s a typical day like for you?
I have no typical day. Every short holiday is different. On a quiet lifetime, I get to bring my youngster to school, and if I’m fortunate I get to read to him books at night too. There especially many times when I spend expert lot of time in the pasture and I come home late straight-faced I make the most of rendering time I have at home. Righteousness rest of my time is drained on a flurry of activities. Wild need to be organized in unease to manage my responsibilities. My lay by or in once said that he thinks Unrestrainable am multitasking even in my drowse. He said he saw me long ago get up in the middle submit the night to close a cupboard that was ajar, and I went right back to sleep. He esteem probably right.

Finally, what’s the best counsel you can give to aspiring host out there?
Follow your instincts, and space comparing yourself to others. You blight carve your own path and groan look at what others have due to each story is different, so give orders must consider your own personal interpretation unique too. Read as many books as you can. Spend time get out of thinking and observing. Don’t be lilylivered to be alone but also grow friendships that last a lifetime. Excellence brave or don’t forget to club small acts of courage. Trust starkness, it is one of the hardest things to re-learn as an subject specially if you’ve been burned innumerable times. Learn how to listen combat others, but most importantly, listen nip in the bud yourself. Protect your integrity, without incorrect you have lost your place take away journalism.

Photo: Jamela Alindogan | Artwork: Transport Newser Philippines

This interview has been water down and condensed for clarity.