CNN International’s Jon Jensen is a busy man. We managed to pin him down and ask some searching questions about what it’s like to be an ever-travelling producer for one of the world’s biggest news stations

 

 

How did you get started in the

television industry?

My first job in TV was at a local news station in a small town in Florida, not far from where I attended journalism school. I worked as a part-time editor and associate producer, editing news segments and running – more like sprinting – tapes from the edit bay to our master control room, usually with only seconds left to go before they were to be played on air. It was stressful, but also rewarding enough that I knew I wanted to work in news for a living.

 

As a producer, what are the core things your role involves?

I work for CNN International’s ‘Inside the Middle East’, a 30-minute monthly programme that explores culture and society beyond the normal headlines in a very vital region of the world. It’s one of CNN’s longest running feature shows and we travel throughout the region to bring our viewers authentic stories and fresh perspectives.

 

As producer, I select the issues and characters that we’ll follow each month, and write their stories in a compelling way. I’m responsible for ensuring that the show is interesting, informative, entertaining, and gets to air on time and on budget.  But I couldn’t do it all myself - I work with a great team of seasoned journalists, including the anchor, reporters, camera operators and editors – all of whom are responsible for the great feedback and stories from the audience.

 

You travel a lot! What have been some of your most memorable places or events?

Before working at CNN, I reported on the Egyptian revolution from an apartment just a block away from Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protests that ousted Egypt’s former president. It was exciting to witness history, but also one of the more tiring stories I have ever covered. There were many sleepless nights following the story, filing video and writing up to two stories a day.

 

Have you ever been in a sticky situation while covering a story?

During Egypt’s revolution, some colleagues and I were caught in a street battle between security forces and protesters that lasted for six days straight. The building we were reporting from – and hiding in – caught fire twice and was blanketed in tear gas for the entire week. It was a significant time to be a journalist, but I also realised that reporting in conflict zones is not something to take lightly or to pursue without proper training.

 

How long have you been working in this region? Are there any particular challenges or pluses to working here?

I grew up in the Middle East and have been working here since 2007, so I consider this region home. The friendliness and generosity of the people I’ve met keep me in the region and also make me miss it when I’m travelling. The biggest challenge lately is the sweltering heat, especially when you’re moving on foot and carrying heavy camera gear. But the weather is also a plus – who would want to live in snow and ice?

 

What is it like to have to potentially drop everything and travel to cover a story at a moment’s notice?

Everyone I know that works in news is passionate about telling stories, regardless of the travel time or the hours. I hear stories that inspire hope, expose injustice and highlight important issues that we all should know and care about. While living on the road can get exhausting, there’s a certain excitement to meeting different people, seeing new regions and hearing stories firsthand. The excitement makes it all worth it. My family is used to it, and is incredibly understanding.

 

Which stories resonate with you the most?

Stories that resonate with all of our viewers, no matter which region they live in. There are certain universal truths – such as love, success, ambition, pride, anger and hope – in all the stories we tell. I enjoy finding characters doing extraordinary things and making a difference, and then telling their stories in a powerful and entertaining way.

Do you have any advice for those who want to break in to the industry?

Don’t be nervous about starting out as a freelance journalist, just go for it. Aspiring writers and video journalists have never had it easier – cameras are cheap and there are plenty of free platforms to broadcast your voice. The most important thing is to get out there and start talking to people with stories.

 

Any final thoughts or comments?

Catch Inside the Middle East on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm or join us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/CNNIME

Sarah Widdup