’Rituals’ to survive in unorthodox TV and broadcast journalism: An interview with Rasha Al Barghouthi
Rasha Al Barghouthi, Al-Kass Channel headquarters
LAUSANNE, July 20, 2022 – A minimum of eight hours of sleep and not eating ice cream during workdays could be on your go-to agenda to have that spotless broadcaster/presenter voice, but isn't that too much? Each journalist has their own 'rituals' to excel in audiovisual journalism; AIPS has interviewed Rasha Sameer Al-Barghouthi, Al-Kass Channel female journalist and producer from the Arab world who brought to our eyes a different perspective of working in TV and broadcast.
Rasha Al Barghouthi, a Jordanian/Italian sports journalist of Palestinian origins living in Qatar, in the media field from 2002 until now, she worked as a broadcaster for Qatar Radio (2002-2005), Sawt Al Khaleej Radio (2004-2007) and presenter in Al Kass Channel (2005-2013), beIN Sports Channel (2013-2019), and producer in Flash media production company (2019-2020), a producer for Al Kass Channel (2021-current).
"Written journalism will remain the base of any authentic media type," Rasha said regarding the importance of written journalism skills which is considered a base for creative independent productions, below is a Q&A of relatable topics to young reporters:
Rasha, How did you start in journalism?
Journalism has been always present in my family, which according to them at the beginning it was not an option for me to explore, it is a demanding profession for Arab women having to go through many challenges to prove that they are worthy of the title ‘journalist’ but I decided to start the challenge from the roots by studying journalism when an opportunity came in my third year at Qatar University to present a radio program on Qatar Radio which talks about the university's most important activities and present it with a group of students. When the Syrian, may his soul rest in peace, Nizar Abedin, helped refine my talent and increase my radio awareness to deal with an audience that only hears you.
How did you discover your love for audiovisual journalism?
I was always the living voice at home, school and around family. I was always told that I have a pleasant voice and as I grew up I made it a priority to work on refining this talent for broadcast. Therefore, I decided radio should be my first door to knock on, and there I was; attached to my beloved microphone and thousands of people listening with intrigue.
I went from broadcasting weather forecasts to different programs reaching political newspaper news. Unexpectedly, I was offered a job in Sawt Al-Khaleej Radio, to present a sports analytical studio; I welcomed the idea, and my father had praise me for joining the sports field in 2004, as he is a veteran sports journalist, book author and an expert of the local and international affairs of Qatar. He told me that this is the actual beginning of my career in the field of sports, given that the State of Qatar was preparing to be the capital of sports in the Middle East. I was honoured to present an analytical studio for the tournaments inside the State of Qatar as the first Arab woman from Asia to present an analytical radio studio.
In the meantime, I switched towards visual media, which started with Al Kass Sports Channel in 2005 and the new News Department in preparation, I worked on presenting and covering major events during the establishment of Al-Kass website to keep pace with exclusive news and objective articles.
What are the challenges facing audiovisual journalists?
The challenges are many, and about the same on broadcast and visual levels: Starting with the ability to comprehensively follow up on sporting events worldwide, developing presentation skills and keeping pace with technology.
Second: your mental presence in live coverage, especially those that involve communications with masses, or interviewing specialists in their field.
Third: commitment, professionalism, and respect for the multiplicity of media schools, since we work in the Gulf countries, we encounter many media professionals from different Arab and foreign countries, and each worked on strengthening their skills differently, but not to be classified as better or worse, but rather capabilities to accomplish a certain 'unforgettable' creative work.
Therefore, I consider the biggest challenge is maintaining your creativity.
What are the toughest challenges you have faced as a presenter?
The challenge lies in the nature of this profession. It was not called a profession of trouble for no reason. Whether working in radio, television, or even written press, it is an unorthodox profession, with no 'normal office hours' like official employees, nor geographic/timezone limits in journalism. We are in a profession whose standards are unconventional and require constant updates and change even on the level of interviews with different people from different specialities and cultures.
Through my experience in presenting news as a female sports journalist, I have always sought not to diminish my own experience, my personality, and my posed questions. Working constantly on developing your expertise by practice is an important factor in the development of reaching a well-accomplished level.
In your opinion, do you think that written journalism is the base of every journalistic discipline?
If I had been asked this question ten years ago, my answer would be an absolute yes, even though I started with radio based on voice tests. The same applies to television work; presenters are accepted based on on-screen presence and agility of spoken letters, and then these ingredients are refined with exercises related to preparation and writing reports.
With great global exposure to the world via social media and online websites, the view of those in charge of the media has changed in accepting those who enter this field. You will find in any local or international channels production room that those who are good at writing sonorous and creative TV and radio reports are very few, and they mainly came from written press.
The rest depends largely on copying from websites and news agencies, which I cannot deny the importance of the information they provide, but the deep graceful journalistic style is over, and it no longer exists where media nowadays revolves around athletes' gossip, the opening of a stadium.. etc.
What is your advice to young journalists interested in audiovisual journalism?
Some practical tips from my experience that may help them perform better:
On the broadcast level: Your voice is your greatest asset and it must be well kept to stay deep and resonant, so it is advised to avoid cold drinks and ice cream, which are approached only on weekends, and sleeping 8 hours is essential to the ability to read for a longer period with a regular breath.
On the visual level: You must be of full psychological maturity to stand in front of the screen with that smile on your face, with all professionalism that bothers you, because the audience has the right to see you present with sound and image.
Finally, keep in mind the saying (Do not underestimate those who preceded you in this field, creativity is not limited by age).
Tell us more about the features of audiovisual journalism...
Loving this profession and being attached to it allows you to discover beautiful things like getting to know top athletes and high-profile professionals. This work allows you to play the 'detective' role while chasing a story, receiving live congratulation on holidays and celebrations on the radio all gives you great pleasure and satisfaction, forming connections with colleagues and the honest competition in reaching creativity gives you a deep degree of attachment to this profession.
Rasha Al Barghouthi, a Jordanian/Italian sports journalist of Palestinian origins living in Qatar, in the media field from 2002 until now, she worked as a broadcaster for Qatar Radio (2002-2005), Sawt Al Khaleej Radio (2004-2007) and presenter in Al Kass Channel (2005-2013), beIN Sports Channel (2013-2019), and producer in Flash media production company (2019-2020), a producer for Al Kass Channel (2021-current).
"Written journalism will remain the base of any authentic media type," Rasha said regarding the importance of written journalism skills which is considered a base for creative independent productions, below is a Q&A of relatable topics to young reporters:
Rasha, How did you start in journalism?
Journalism has been always present in my family, which according to them at the beginning it was not an option for me to explore, it is a demanding profession for Arab women having to go through many challenges to prove that they are worthy of the title ‘journalist’ but I decided to start the challenge from the roots by studying journalism when an opportunity came in my third year at Qatar University to present a radio program on Qatar Radio which talks about the university's most important activities and present it with a group of students. When the Syrian, may his soul rest in peace, Nizar Abedin, helped refine my talent and increase my radio awareness to deal with an audience that only hears you.
How did you discover your love for audiovisual journalism?
I was always the living voice at home, school and around family. I was always told that I have a pleasant voice and as I grew up I made it a priority to work on refining this talent for broadcast. Therefore, I decided radio should be my first door to knock on, and there I was; attached to my beloved microphone and thousands of people listening with intrigue.
I went from broadcasting weather forecasts to different programs reaching political newspaper news. Unexpectedly, I was offered a job in Sawt Al-Khaleej Radio, to present a sports analytical studio; I welcomed the idea, and my father had praise me for joining the sports field in 2004, as he is a veteran sports journalist, book author and an expert of the local and international affairs of Qatar. He told me that this is the actual beginning of my career in the field of sports, given that the State of Qatar was preparing to be the capital of sports in the Middle East. I was honoured to present an analytical studio for the tournaments inside the State of Qatar as the first Arab woman from Asia to present an analytical radio studio.
In the meantime, I switched towards visual media, which started with Al Kass Sports Channel in 2005 and the new News Department in preparation, I worked on presenting and covering major events during the establishment of Al-Kass website to keep pace with exclusive news and objective articles.
What are the challenges facing audiovisual journalists?
The challenges are many, and about the same on broadcast and visual levels: Starting with the ability to comprehensively follow up on sporting events worldwide, developing presentation skills and keeping pace with technology.
Second: your mental presence in live coverage, especially those that involve communications with masses, or interviewing specialists in their field.
Third: commitment, professionalism, and respect for the multiplicity of media schools, since we work in the Gulf countries, we encounter many media professionals from different Arab and foreign countries, and each worked on strengthening their skills differently, but not to be classified as better or worse, but rather capabilities to accomplish a certain 'unforgettable' creative work.
Therefore, I consider the biggest challenge is maintaining your creativity.
What are the toughest challenges you have faced as a presenter?
The challenge lies in the nature of this profession. It was not called a profession of trouble for no reason. Whether working in radio, television, or even written press, it is an unorthodox profession, with no 'normal office hours' like official employees, nor geographic/timezone limits in journalism. We are in a profession whose standards are unconventional and require constant updates and change even on the level of interviews with different people from different specialities and cultures.
Through my experience in presenting news as a female sports journalist, I have always sought not to diminish my own experience, my personality, and my posed questions. Working constantly on developing your expertise by practice is an important factor in the development of reaching a well-accomplished level.
In your opinion, do you think that written journalism is the base of every journalistic discipline?
If I had been asked this question ten years ago, my answer would be an absolute yes, even though I started with radio based on voice tests. The same applies to television work; presenters are accepted based on on-screen presence and agility of spoken letters, and then these ingredients are refined with exercises related to preparation and writing reports.
With great global exposure to the world via social media and online websites, the view of those in charge of the media has changed in accepting those who enter this field. You will find in any local or international channels production room that those who are good at writing sonorous and creative TV and radio reports are very few, and they mainly came from written press.
The rest depends largely on copying from websites and news agencies, which I cannot deny the importance of the information they provide, but the deep graceful journalistic style is over, and it no longer exists where media nowadays revolves around athletes' gossip, the opening of a stadium.. etc.
What is your advice to young journalists interested in audiovisual journalism?
Some practical tips from my experience that may help them perform better:
On the broadcast level: Your voice is your greatest asset and it must be well kept to stay deep and resonant, so it is advised to avoid cold drinks and ice cream, which are approached only on weekends, and sleeping 8 hours is essential to the ability to read for a longer period with a regular breath.
On the visual level: You must be of full psychological maturity to stand in front of the screen with that smile on your face, with all professionalism that bothers you, because the audience has the right to see you present with sound and image.
Finally, keep in mind the saying (Do not underestimate those who preceded you in this field, creativity is not limited by age).
Tell us more about the features of audiovisual journalism...
Loving this profession and being attached to it allows you to discover beautiful things like getting to know top athletes and high-profile professionals. This work allows you to play the 'detective' role while chasing a story, receiving live congratulation on holidays and celebrations on the radio all gives you great pleasure and satisfaction, forming connections with colleagues and the honest competition in reaching creativity gives you a deep degree of attachment to this profession.
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