Associated Reporters Abroad (ARA) - Professional freelance journalists reporting for media outlets worldwide

'Revolt in Syria'

December 13, 2012

An Irish freelance journalist on his experiences in Syria detailed in his new book.

Irish journalist Stephen Starr had been living in Syria for four years when the uprising against Syrian President Bashir al Assad erupted. After leaving Syria in February, Starr wrote a recently published first-hand account of the events that unfolded, and the narratives of the people most affected by them. He talks about his experiences in Syria and his outlook for the uprising.

An attack on "Greek treasures take a hit"

October 8, 2012

After our article "Greek treasures take a hit" was published on USA Today's September 17 issue, some Greek media outlets which traditionally in support of the memorandum (austerity) were
quick to attack.

Two Greek newspapers, To Vima and Ethnos, criticized the article as well as the president of the Association of Greek Archeologists, Despina Koutsoumba, for "scaremongering" over the condition of Greek archeological treasures and monuments.

After severe cutbacks in foreign reporting staff, it was freelancers who did much of the heavy lifting during the Arab revolutions, getting readers around the world compelling stories, sometimes at great cost to themselves.

After severe cutbacks in foreign reporting staff, it was freelancers who did much of the heavy lifting during the Arab revolutions, getting readers around the world compelling stories, sometimes at great cost to themselves.

A month ago I left my first job as a journalist at a British regional newspaper to go freelance. Crazy, you might think given the current economic situation. But after three years of covering Woking, just outside of London, I felt it was time to move on and try a new challenge.

I am certain that most people remember where they were that day. I am no exception. Those attacks on that sunny morning changed many lives: those caught in them; their family members, friends, colleagues; the first responders; those caught up in wars that came after; and also for those of us like me, a former September 11 reporter. What a strange designation. What an impact -- I think you can never recognize the key moment your life changes or by how much it is going to until much, much later.

It's been 14 months since I resettled in the US and lo and behold, I'm about to leave again. It seems to be a devilish pattern in my life: the inability to stay put in any place longer than a year. Berlin was an exception. I lived in the city, working as a foreign correspondent, from 2004 to 2009. Then I took a job in San Francisco, thinking - hoping - that my condition of restlessness had been cured. I was wrong: "civilian life," for the moment at least, isn't for me...

One freelance foreign correspondent reflects on her decision to turn down a staff position at a prestigious news organization that many would consider a dream job...

There are many different types of journalists out there, from sports and entertainment to travel, health and food. And then there is the parachute journalist: those who always end up wherever action is, from wars to natural disasters. Sometimes it's by choice because their newspaper or broadcaster has sent them there. Sometimes it's simply for the thrill of being on the frontlines of the latest, hottest story.

The visit of the US president to Ireland was of very little interest to me personally. Professionally, on the other hand, is another matter altogether. Finding myself increasingly wed to my desk, the opportunity to get out of the office and actually, you know, see what something looks like, was too good to pass up, and so I found myself driving down to remote Moneygall in County Offaly to experience the Obamamania firsthand. It did not disappoint.

After moving to Germany, 'going native' also meant transformed reading habits: I became a huge fan of the "krimi" or crime fiction, reflecting my new society: Germany is the largest market for this genre in Europe, maybe the world. I discovered Martin Cruz Smith, Jeffrey Deaver and, of course, The Scandinavians.