My love and fascination with the Media world and all things media related began in my home country of Saudi Arabia and eventually ended up in New York City. I was born in Jeddah, a cosmoplitan city situated by the historical and alluring Red Sea. I was fortunate to have been bought up in a tight knit and supportive family who believed in my goals and aspiration right from the start. My family's full backing only made it easier for me to navigate the not so easy arena called the Media World.
Since my late teens i had found my cheif calling in Journalism and never looked back. I was hired as an Assistant Reporter for Arab News, a daily English newspaper in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The enviornment was encouraging and productive, and it was there that i met one the most influential people of my life, and now personal mentor. Mr. Khaled Al Maeena was and still is the Editor-in-cheif of the newspaper and he took me under his wing and had enough faith in me at a time where i wasnt sure if i was cut out for this proffession. He pushed me to excell and almost always gave me the toughest and most grueling of assignments. He taught me the concept of work ethic, punctuality, and multi-tasking (a trait i have become more appreciative of, but never did back then).
He had patience for a rookie, and in the Media's cut throat Industry, rookies for the most part are marginalized untill they adapt, but Mr. Al Maeen's mentality and approach was unlike anyone elses. He personally showed me the ins and out of the newspaper; from news writing and reporting, to copyediting, layout and production. I managed to publish several articles during my time at Arab News. Heres a sample of one article in particular:http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=27685&d=20&m=6&y=2003
I also developed close ties with other aspiring female journalist. We would have heated discussion on various topics, but one topic we unanimously agreed on was that certain segments in Saudi society (including women) show an unsympathetic attitude towards Saudi female journalists and media advocates. This unfortunate attitude is caused by a lack of awareness and underestimationof the important role that women play as mediators, especially on women's and Human Rights issues. On my part, i intend on working to make sure that this current attitude does not turn into a long-term reality. That is why i aspire to become a pioneering Saudi female journalist; not only am i passionate about writing and reporting on important issues, but i also want to be part of the wave of inspiring women helping to dispel the negative and oftentime misleading stereotypes surrounding Saudi women globally.
To say that Media Industry is powerful is a true understatement, and with levels and positions of power comes a moral obligation and huge responsibilities on the people involved in it. After graduating from Boston's Simmons College with a Bachelors in Communications and Journalism, i went on to pursue a position as Human Rights Advisor at the Saudi Arabian Mission to the United Nations in New York City. I became the youngest Saudi female in the U.S to be give the opportunity to represent my country's stance on key issues infront of the entire Global community at the General Assembley Hall. I realized with my current positon the power that Media outlets have in shaping and reshaping our views of the world. This is not to say that i wasnt aware of media power, but to witness its extension globally was even more baffling when i entered the United Nations arena. My interests and advocay are primarily in areas of children in conflict, poverty, violence against women, sex trafficking, raising awareness of Islam and Muslim contribution to World Civilization, and increasing global representation of Saudi youth (especially young girls).
It was at the United Nations where i also met another inspirational person, Dr. Thoraya Obaid. She is the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund and Under-Secretary General of the United Nation. Mrs. Obaid was appointed to her position on 1 January 2001, with the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Thus, becoming the first Saudi Arabian to head a United Nations agency."Throughout her career, Ms Obaid has emphasized the importance of development that emerges from the context of each society, taking into consideration the cultural values and religious beliefs that shape people and affect their actions. As UNFPA Executive Director, she has introduced a special focus on culture and religion in the Fund’s development work, thereby linking universal of human rights to values of the human worth promoted by all religions and found in all cultures". I admire her philosophy and respect for human rights regardless of religion, gender, culture..etc, and its precisely what i try to adopt in all my endevours, personal or career wise.
In the midst of my United Nations position, i decided to pursue a Masters Degree in order to elevate my ranking and climb up the Government ladder. I looked into the New School's Media Studies program for several reason. The most important being the need to utilize the media and its tools to bring much needed attension to issues that i have been working on with my current position. I was also attracted to the avant garde and anti traditionalist undertones of the New School, which makes it the ideal place to study Media theory and application. I prefer the non conservative approach to Media, since nothing about the path that i have chosen for myself is conservative by any means, therefore, my education should be equal in this retrospect and The New School represents that for me, which reminds me of another great influence in my approach to media, the creative genius that is Tim Burton. Most people would never guess that Burton is someone i would gravitate towards due to my interests in the political and social aspects of Media and Media advocay, but he is someone i see as an "envelope pusher" and continues to mesmerize his audiences with his fantastical and wildly imaginative body of work that defies categorization. I'm a huge fan of his work and admire his distinction in a sea full of "sameness".
I have many "envelope pushing" dreams i wish to turn to reality. But by far my ultimate goal would have to be establishing a female- run news agency in Saudi Arabia, which would focus on the news and media from a female perspective, and address the issues and concerns of Saudi women. The agency would also provide a training program for qualified and aspiring Saudi female journalists and media advocates to further hone their skills in the field. My main objective is to help elevate the status of Saudi women and encourage them to take risks and pursue their dreams in the Media industry, and with a supportive family, inspirational mentors and influences, a rewarding postion and schooling, i have all the reasons to be optimistic for the future ahead of me.
Work and Image cited
Image 1: courtsey of www. saudigov.com
Image 2: courtsey of www. jeddahtourism.com
Image 3: courtsey of www. arabnews.com
Image 4: courtsey of www.arabnews.com
Image 5: courtsey of www.un.org
Image 6: courtsey of www.un.org
"Thoraya Obaid", UNFPA. http://www.unfpa.org/about/report/2003/1ch3pg.htm. Web. 25 February. 2010
