Transcript
Speaker: At first, my family were against me becoming a journalist because, you know, there was this perception that no, no journalists, you know, they're into prostitution. But with time, they became supportive. And I remember then, when you say you want to be a journalist, most people, you know, would relate the journalism to prostitution, you know, like, no, most, you know, journalists, they're just prostitutes. Why would you?
Speaker: allow your daughter to go and do generalism and all that.
Speaker: Welcome to another episode of Her Media Diary, a podcast that captures lived experiences of African women working in the media industries. I am Dr. Yemisi Akimobola, your host, and in this episode, I'm joined by Anne Zulu, an accomplished freelance journalist with a remarkable career in the media industry spanning over seven years, which has earned her several awards.
Speaker: Anne shares her unique experiences while navigating the media industry as a female freelance journalist, focusing on issues affecting women, children, climate change, and wider environmental issues. Now, over the next four episodes, you will hear more of me in conversation with women in media discussing the experiences covering environmental issues, despite various challenges they face.
Speaker: By inviting these voices into conversation we hope to provide tips and solutions to break down barriers faced by African women in media.
Speaker: So, Ann, it's a pleasure to have you join me. You've been participating with the album for a number of years now, haven't you? And being one of our beneficiaries, some of our fellowship programs and stuff. So it's really great to have you join me on this podcast and it's a great opportunity to get to know you better also. I really, really interested to know your journey and, you know, just telling me more about yourself and how did you get onto this journey of being in the media?
Speaker: First of all, I'm so excited to be here on this platform with you. Ella, this year I missed an opportunity to meet you in Lusaka. Oh, yes, that's true. Yes, yes, I was in Lusaka for the African Media Convention. Oh, it would have been great to meet you.
Speaker: Yeah, so I miss that opportunity. So I'll take you back to where it all began. Growing up as a little child, you know, I come from a family that passionate about current affairs. And that really, you know, influenced me to wanting to become a journalist and also growing up also passionate about writing stories.
Speaker: And by the time I was 18, I knew exactly what I wanted and that is a journalist. So my inspiration to be a journalist came from my family as well as my passion for writing. That's great. Yeah. So we speak a lot around the role models, right? The importance of role modeling. What does that meant for you generally, like growing up? Well, it meant a lot to me and people whom I also admired by the time I was a teenager. Like who? She's Zambian.
Speaker: Okay. So which part of zombie are you from?
Speaker: Currently, I live in Lusaka, but I grew up in a small town called Kitwe. Okay, so tell me more about growing up in Kitwe. Well, growing up in Kitwe, you know, Kitwe is one of those notorious cities in Zambia. I remember issues of teenage pregnancies were so high that any marriages
Speaker: were also high and it was very difficult to find role models, local role models by then. So I would say it was exciting, both exciting and challenging growing up. And when you think about those early years, what are your earliest memories of journalism or writing and your passion and developing that passion?
Speaker: Well, I remember when I was in primary school, participating in writing competitions, winning. And from that, I think my family knew what I really wanted, you know, and they supported me all the way. Yeah. And, but am I right in saying that you've taken account of like a freelance journalism path? Yes. Yes. Yes.
Speaker: Why was that? Before 2020, I had a full -time job. I was working for one of the biggest print media outlets in Zambia.
Speaker: But unfortunately, in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, I lost my job. So let's take a few steps back then. You mentioned that by the time you reached the age of 18, that you kind of knew that you wanted to be a journalist, right? Which is great because not many people - By 13. Oh, I thought you said 18. Okay. So by the age of 13, you knew you wanted to be a journalist. That's interesting. So what was, I mean, tell me about that. Tell me about that time.
Speaker: You're 13 and you kind of say, yep, this is the, this is what I want to do. So what happened? You know, I was so excited about being a journalist. And I remember in my class, I was the only one who wanted to be a journalist, you know, friends wanted to be
Speaker: doctors, a lot of them wanted to be doctors, accountants. And shockingly, I was like the only one in class who wanted to be a journalist, you know, watch the news just to learn more about journalism. And it was an exciting experience. Also curious, like I wanted to know everything to do with journalism.
Speaker: I remember writing a letter to one of local journalists out of curiosity and each time I get an opportunity maybe I meet a journalist like I would always ask them questions so it was it was exciting like really
Speaker: I'm so happy that I went for it. I just went for it. But did you, like, okay, so you're 13, you've kind of ratio of this career amidst all the doctors and lawyers and, you know, and engineers. I think those are the key professions that our parents always encouraged us to, isn't it? And did you have the kind of, what is it like in the support of your teachers and, you know, people around you towards that?
Speaker: And to be honest, at first, my family were against me becoming a journalist because, you know, there was this perception that no, no journalists, you know, they're into prostitution. But with time, they became supportive. And I remember then when you say you want to be a journalist, most people, you know, would relate the journalism to prostitution. You know, like, no, most female journalists, they're just
Speaker: Why would you allow your daughter to go and do journalism and all that? It was for me, I was I was a very
Speaker: a very good career, a very good profession, and journalists are naturally smart people. Like, we are the smartest, you know? Yeah. And it's interesting that thing, that association, I mean, hopefully it's changing, of kind of female journalists being, you know, this particular kind of woman. And it's all over the continent. Like, even in Nigeria, where I'm from, there was that perception as well, right? There is that perception that, you know, journalists, female journalists are loose women, that kind of thing. And I just wonder where that came from.
Speaker: How did you overcome all of that? You mean growing up? Yeah, that kind of stereotype and that kind of discouragement. I mean, it's a lot for you to kind of try to face, especially as you're engaged when you're already convinced of what you want to do. Yeah. So because I used to do my own research, I would read a lot about journalism. If somebody says a bad thing about journalism, I would educate them what journalism is all about. I would say, style them and tell them how great of a career journalism is.
Speaker: because I think most of the people used to say that out of ignorance, you know, but I would educate them and give examples of journalists whom I knew and who are doing amazing stuff. I remember when the time came for me to go to uni, so there was a little bit of debate between my family and I.
Speaker: I wanted to study journalism and on the other side, my family, who are my sponsors, they were like, no, journalism, no, maybe find something else to do, you know. And I had to convince them of what I really wanted to do. And I had to also, you know, educate them more about why I wanted to do journalism and all that. I remember my uncle was like, no, you're not going to
Speaker: You're not going to study journalism. You won't find a job in Zambia after graduating. I remember crying for days like, no, this is what I want to do. I remember I even went on a protest of not eating. Wow, really? Tell me about that.
Speaker: Yeah, I went on a protest, I think that was for two days, then my mum noticed. She gathered everyone and she was like, I think we should allow this, go for what she wants. Finally, they all accepted that I go and study journalism. Tell me about when you went to study journalism, what was that like for you?
Speaker: It was so exciting. My second day, I started getting these pojos and part -time jobs. It was just so exciting to finally get to do what I've always dreamed. Getting to meet those I used to hear on radio and getting them one -on -one around and it was
Speaker: A dream come true for me. I remember in my class, I was one of the best students. It was all exciting. Okay. So you started journalism and you've gone on to win multiple awards, right? You know, most recently you won an award for a project that you did with us at OWM around climate change and Zambian women. And so you've had numerous other achievements as a woman journalist, getting these awards, what impact does it have for you on your career?
Speaker: You know, last year, I was a fellow of the Awim Environmental Reporting Fellowship for female journalists. And it was a one -month fellowship, but it turned out to be a life -changing, career -changing experience. For me, I learned a lot. The mentorship was just amazing, and it was so informing.
Speaker: a lot as far as mental reporting is concerned and it changed my whole career. I did a story for the fellowship. The story was properly done. I would say it's one of the biggest environmental stories that I've ever done. I did the story in June last year and I could confirm that from June, between June last year and
Speaker: now. That story has warned me three hours and made me a semi -finalist for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. That story was one of the samples of my work that I had submitted to
Speaker: Okay, so I'm imagining 13 -year -old and your thoughts around what it would like when you become a journalist. What was the reality to do for you when you became a journalist? What were some of your experiences? Not what I expected, you know, because when I joined the industry, first of all, I realized that it wasn't as good as I expected.
Speaker: And then there were issues of sexual harassment, which is like a very, very big thing going on in the media industry. I think not only Zambia, but everywhere else, like it's something which is real. I was like, wow, I thought it was not that serious. But when I got into the industry, I realized how serious the issue of sexual harassment
Speaker: is because I experienced sexual harassment myself, and it's something which is so depressing and devastating because many times when journalists experience that, you're on your own and you don't know where to report. You are afraid that maybe when you report to your supervisors, you get fired. The time I was joining, there was nowhere really to report. We didn't have even a platform
Speaker: no organization that you really report, tell them, look, this is what I experienced. And when you even report to your, maybe your fellow colleagues, you tell your fellow colleagues about it, they'll even laugh at you because it's something which was normalized. I think even up to now, although I think right now this is when, you know, things are changing a little bit, but I think
Speaker: Back then, when I just joined the media industry, it was something which was normalized because I remember experiencing sexual harassment. When I was very young, I just joined the media industry and we were in an election time as a country, Zambia, and we had all these, you know,
Speaker: campaigns going on to cover a political event. And then next thing I saw this group of male cadas working towards me who thought that, you know, I was a journalist from a certain media organization, which was criticizing the government all the day. This man tried to undress me. Wow. And I was there helpless. I was shaking. The police were there.
Speaker: and they did nothing they did nothing i was there begging you know begging them to say you know i don't work for that media organization it was so traumatizing i was so traumatized so for me that experience it's something which
Speaker: I wouldn't want another female journalist to go through. And the other sexual harassment experience that's still there on my mind that these issues, it's very difficult to forget them. Like you live with them. It's very difficult. It's so difficult because they have the fascinating impact on your mental health. I remember some few years ago, I was a parliament reporter. I went to cover parliament and then during their station, they break off for a few minutes. Okay.
Speaker: During the break -off, I was seated in a lunch with a few other colleagues from the media.
Speaker: And this man, this member of parliament, he came to me and grabbed my hand. And I was wondering, I was like, I don't know him on a date on a level. And he just came and grabbed my hand. I was like, where is he taking me to? Then the next thing he handed me over to his male colleague who was a minister by then. I've brought you a very beautiful lady. So now give me what you're supposed to give me.
Speaker: I was like, wow. I was shocked. I was speechless. I didn't know what to do. You know, I was shaking. I felt filthy. I was like, what does this man think of me? I'm not some sort of commodity that could be, you know, put on a market and be sold. It was so traumatizing. I didn't know what to do. You know, I wouldn't even share it with anyone because they would all just brush it off.
Speaker: and as always they'll just rush it off and even make fun of me you know because it's something which i've experienced before there was a time i experienced sexual harassment then i went to my supervisor i told him oh this is what happened when i went in the field then i was like you are beautiful so what do you expect
Speaker: You have a good body. So what do you expect? I was speechless. I didn't know what to do. So sexual harassment, it's something which is real. I've had friends who have given up on the journalism profession because of sexual harassment, because of what they went through in the newsroom and also in the field. And it's so sad that a lot of journalists are giving up their dream career because of sexual harassment.
Speaker: So it's something which must really be taken serious and it's something which must be stopped. Absolutely. I wonder how did you, because you spoke about some of the traumatic impacts post those experiences, things on your mental health, what did you do? Like were you able to kind of get support from your organization? Was there anything there to kind of help you through that?
Speaker: No, usually in Zander when such happens, you are on your own. And for me, I didn't get any form of support. That's when I decided like, you know what, if nobody's going to stand for me, I'll stand for myself. That's when now I started picking up using my social media platforms.
Speaker: using my blog, I started talking about such issues and I realized that there were a lot, there were other many journalists who were going through
Speaker: I was going through. They would send me messages, they would share their experiences. So I was like, wow, this issue is serious. That's when I realized that this issue is serious, you know. I remember there was a girl who was a student and she wrote to me to say, you know, she gave up on journalism career because of
Speaker: They experienced the sexual harassment that she went through when she was doing her internship at a certain organization. They had a very close colleague in the media who just gave up on a career she has built for so many years because of sexual harassment.
Speaker: And when you started talking about your sexual harassment experiences, you talked about reporting on politics and parliamentary elections and things like that. What has been your beat throughout your career, your area of specialisation?
Speaker: That's a very good question. My area of specialization throughout my career has been gender, because it would be any bit, I would write any story, be it on politics, be it on business, economies, economic issues, be it agriculture.
Speaker: whatever, but it must have that gender perspective, gender angle. Yes, because I feel like women are not fully covered in the media.
Speaker: I feel like they are not fully covered in the media. So I try by all means whatever story that I do, regardless of the topic, I make sure that it has that gender aspect. Yes. Okay. But at some point you transitioned to reporting on environment. Tell us more about that. Well, so the time when I started freelancing in
Speaker: reporting about issues to do with environment and climate change. I feel like women, as far as environmental climate change reporting is concerned,
Speaker: I feel like women are usually left out. So I felt like there was need to, you know, bring out stories of environment and climate change from a gender perspective, because I feel like women are the most affected when it comes to that issue, yet we don't write about them. So for me, I think that really inspired me to go
Speaker: the environmental reporting way. I feel like women, you know, there are a lot of women that are doing amazing things. There are a lot of women that have come up with so many innovations around environments, around climate change, but their stories are not being told. So for me, that really prompted me to take up that beat. I was like, okay,
Speaker: There are a lot of women doing all these things, and yet we don't tell their stories. It's been an awesome experience. I've learned a lot, I've learned a lot, and the good thing, Doc, is, you know, when you report about such issues, especially when I'm doing a story on rural women, an environmental story on rural women,
Speaker: I get to learn a lot. Like, you know, I, I learned a lot in as much as, you know, I'm trying to tell a story. I learned a lot from them. Like these rural women, most of them, they don't have this formal education yet. They'll give you information that even you know, as a reporter, they've got a lot of information and a lot of knowledge and it's just so.
Speaker: For me, that's just so inspiring and yeah, exciting as a journalist. And so you mentioned that you were part of our AWIM UNEP, African Environmental Journalism Program, right? And the training you did with us and obviously you identified a very important story yourself, right? So, you know, kudos to you first of all on developing a really strong pitch towards in the first place. How would you reflect on
Speaker: the kind of training available out there for environmental journalists like you and you know if there was anything particular about the way we approach the training you know what would you say are the gaps the opportunities and etc in terms of training available for environmental policy and I ask this particularly because you know environment issues is one of those things that
Speaker: you have the naysayers and you have those that are truly committed. And you have a big job in convincing those people that don't even believe there's such a thing as climate change, for example. So what are your thoughts on the kind of support and training available out there for journalists in really having that impact, particularly in changing those minds of those naysayers?
Speaker: Well, I think there's a lot that needs to be done in terms of providing support for environmental journalists. I think journalists need more trainings, just like the one that's a whim.
Speaker: provided. For me, it was a very detailed and career changing training. So I think there is a lot that needs to be done to help environmental journalists, especially with trainings and knowledge around environmental issues. I think there is need for more trainings for journalists out there. And I think a whim is doing a very good job on that.
Speaker: Yeah, I think journalists need more such opportunity. Yeah. And are there particular aspects of environment reported, particularly related to Africa, that you think as journalists, we could do more in covering? When you think about, you know,
Speaker: the breadth of environmental issues impacting the continent right now, right? Are there aspects of this that you feel are really underreported that you'd call others to kind of join you in developing stories around? I think especially in Africa, I think issues to do with deforestation
Speaker: And I think waste management, these are one of the two major issues that need to be addressed. I think waste management is really a big issue.
Speaker: We have these big cities, but they are, you know, there was management, it's horrible. So I think with management and deforestation, yeah. And I know that from the story that you did with us, you had to gain access to some pretty high for people, ministers, et cetera. What was your experience of doing that? Not just for this story, but just generally getting that level of access. Okay. So yeah.
Speaker: For me, I think as a freelance journalist from the time I started producing in 2020, I have branded myself very well. I have built that reputation and I think I have worked hard. I think sometimes I don't even have to introduce myself. I think my work, I think usually my work does that for me.
Speaker: And I think when you've branded yourself in a very good way, it's very easy for you to, you know,
Speaker: get information to get an interview with a top government official and other people as well. Yeah, I think self -branding for me has really helped. So you mentioned at some point that you transitioned into
Speaker: freelancing, particularly during the pandemic. So what has been your experience of doing that? Especially for those listeners who are struggling freelancers, trying to get into freelancing, you know, or trying to develop their experiences and what has been your experience for you and what would be your tips? Okay, so when COVID happened in 2020 and I lost my job, it was very challenging.
Speaker: for me because I had bills to pay and I had on the other hand people were looking up to me, people were looking up to me for their stories and there was no way I would just say that was the time when I thought to myself to say oh okay the freelancing is not a bad thing
Speaker: What went now is that, you know, engaging and reading more about freelance journalism. I started talking to colleagues, you know, who are very successful at it, colleagues from Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe. I started talking to them and they shared whatever information that they had about freelance
Speaker: journalism. I remember they would also share opportunities with me and all that.
Speaker: That all the time now I started doing applying for fellowships, trainings. I also started talking to my local editors here to, you know, be publishing my stories. Yeah, at first it was challenging because I literally had to pay like for everything that has to do with getting a story from communication, research.
Speaker: accommodation, transport. I used to cover that all by myself. But as time went by, I started getting there. And I think I've achieved a lot as a freelance journalist, compared to the time that I was working for a media organization with time. So I think it's been an exciting journey. And I've learned a lot. I've just discovered that I'm very good at teaching. Okay. I started freelancing. I've been
Speaker: pitching and they'll become a pro at that. Well, I'm curious to know what makes one a pro in pitching? What are your tips for pitching stories as a freelancer? Okay, so usually what happens when you're applying for something, be it a fellowship or any opportunity as a journalist, you have to bear in mind that you are in a competition. There are a lot of other thousands
Speaker: applicants applying for that. And if you're going to make it to the final, you really have to put in your best. You really have to make sure that your pitch is on point and you really have to make sure that your pitch is somehow unique and something which has never been done before. So I think that has really helped me. I've become very good at pitching. And usually when I'm pitching, I would do my
Speaker: There are times where I would even ask different people just to get a second or dead opinion. Yeah. So I think that has really helped. Yeah. So finding that unique angle that sets you apart from others who are also pitching for, you know, very limited opportunities. Brilliant. So what next for you, Anne? What's next for me is to build up a strong career in journalism. And not only that,
Speaker: I want to help other female journalists who are into freelancing because I realized that they face a lot of challenges and most of the times they don't even know how to go about freelancing. They don't know what resources are valuable.
Speaker: They don't know what opportunities are valuable. So with my experience, with my success, I'd really want to help more female freelance journalists. I'm also working hard on improving my blog. Okay. You got a blog. Tell me about your blog. Well, my blog is called Zambian Feminine Pages. Okay. And you know, this is where I write stories about women. The blog basically seeks to reinvent storytelling about women.
Speaker: So I want to blog more. Like I want my blog to grow. Thank you so much. And for sharing your amazing journey and story with us. And, uh, you know, we wish you all the best. You're winning awards already three in the last few months. So kudos to you. And I wish you the very best in your career development. Thank you very much. And it's very, uh, big
Speaker: Thank you to Awim and everyone who mentored me on the environmental reporting project. That opportunity has really, really changed my career in a bigger way. You can imagine one story within a space of one year.
Speaker: One story gets in three hours. Like what? Yeah, absolutely. All of that was possible with the support of the United Nations Environmental Program. So we're very grateful that has had so much impact as well. Brilliant. Thank you. Thank you, Anne. Yeah. Thank you.
Speaker: Han's story is clearly that of a childhood passion fueled by the natural curiosity to inform and tell impactful stories, which has indeed kept her going despite a rough path in the start of her career. But as she rightly said, it takes determination, the right network,
Speaker: and career development training, among other things, have a successful career in freelance journalism. And Story speaks directly to freelance female journalists who have had to struggle at different points in their career journey, as well as to budding freelance journalists who are on the lookout for opportunities and tips to get to the peak of their career.
Speaker: If you'd like to join me on an episode of this podcast, please contact me at yemisi at AfricanWomenInMedia .com. You can also visit our website at AfricanWomenInMedia .com to find out more about our work. In the show notes, there is a list of organizations and resources to support you if you have experienced any of the topics we've discussed today. And don't forget to join the conversation using hashtag hair media diary.
Speaker: Hemidutari is a product of African remaining media, an NGO advocating for gender equality in the industry. And this episode was hosted by Dr. Yamisia Kimbabola, produced by Janet Utsinu, and detailed by Blessen Uderbasi, as part of a five -episode series on environmental reporting. All music featured in this podcast is by Nanak Wabena. Thanks for listening, and join us again next time.
