Racing against time

I’m also racing against time, like others. With countdown has started and days numbered, I’m like a traveler getting ready to pack up for entirely different world--called as third world. Call every day to different fellows exchanging advices how to utilize the training allowance and then shooting mails to Susan for winning her nod before placing online purchase order, it is how I spend most of my time amid office business. I have one week left in New York Times’ main office that will be spent on editorial section, my work place for last one week. After getting sick in Chicago, it was refreshing start in editorial section. Frankly, it’s a big learning place, must-visit place for intellectual nourishment. Journalism is not only the learning about CAR, investigative reporting, drafting, it also largely deals with intellect, knowledge, vision and for this, there is a need of extensive reading and interaction with policy makers. I consider it a wonderful experience since I have had this opportunity first in NYT’s Washington bureau and now in editorial section. Since last morning when I joined editorial section, I’ve been kept more or less busy, in one or other way. I spent time helping different editorial writers, mostly those write about local and international politics.

Eleanor writes on New York politics. She is conducting endorsement interview of different candidates—for New York Senate and Congress. I spoke to candidates’ campaign and set up meetings. And when they arrived for interview, I was among the penal. New York Times conduct interviews of different candidates ask them their electoral preferences and plan to overcome with existing challenges, and then editorial board applies collective wisdom to endorse the best candidate in race and write editorial on him/ her. Wisdom behind this exercise, Eleanor told me, is to help people making choice since sometimes they don’t have time and access to ascertain candidature. I also heard Japanese ambassador being interview by the editorial board. The guest is told in advance that the whole discussion is off-the-record and for the consumption of editorial staff and that the guest name won’t be used anywhere anytime. The guest is also told that there is different between “off-the-record” of newsroom and editorial board.

As Pakistan’s Prime Minister was in Washington last week, I had a chat everyday with relevant writer discussing the positive and negative aspects of his visit and we’ll write together an editorial next week. Next week starting today (Aug. 3) is very hectic. Editorial board will be having a number of high-profile guests like former Israeli Prime Minister, Congressman heading committee on South Asia-Middle East, Ambassador of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Governor New York. It’d be really fascinating idea to hear them. I’ll also spend sometime with the editor of editorial section, knowing more about their policy and different experiences. With every passing day, I feel sad because I wanted to spend more time with them.

From fellow to a father

Hello buddies……..after a little late. How’s everything going on? I’m fine and father of a baby boy. That I was certainly not when posted the last blog. Hope none would have read that but the blog tracker, Katie. Working under Susan-Katie watch is really an arduous task especially when one is in Washington. In this case it’s me spending exciting time in New York Times bureau. But a day before leaving for Chicago, Katie ‘summoned’ me and asked the reason for being such a passive writer. So this entry is under pressure from her—coerced writing-- and is likely to invite intervention of the rights activists and the defenders of First Amendment. Joking... But also mind it there’s a thin-line difference between fun and fundamental rights.
Regardless my fellowship’s so far gains and ultimate goals; I’m the happiest man on earth for fathering the first baby and want flying back to see my son, a healthy kid who came out this world a bit earlier, two-week before his due date. Born on July 21, my son is on border line of two zodiac signs: Cancer and LEO. I wanted him a LEO but he turned out to be disobedient. Anyway, I don’t know his early arrival is result of a divine intervention or he himself took a suo motto action. Either way, he looks tired and terrified because most of the time he either weeps or sleeps. Certainly he’ll take sometime adjusting in this world.
Coming back to business, my days in Washington are worth remembering. Here I learnt professionally, but also politically. I was lucky enough to have very sweet colleagues that made me feel my stay shorter than it really was. They kept me busy roaming around, granting me opportunity to attend classified and declassified briefings. From a wonderful bureau chief to political editor, from national security chief correspondents to his reporters, spending time with them was full of learning. It became more fascinating after my meeting with Maureen Dowd. More she looks harsh in writing; more polite she is in person. I loved meeting her. She gifted me her book “BUSHWorld” and pledged to send me two movies “Mighty Heart” and “Charlie Wilson’s War”.
My chat with political editor, Richard Stevenson, over the lunch—the most expensive I had had in Washington—was really interesting. Asked his favorite presidential candidate, he said he won’t tell even to his wife. He said he won’t like to compromise his integrity by giving even a slight hint towards his favorite. Breakfast meeting with Dean Baquet was interesting, also historical. We’re breakfasting in Capital Hilton when I received good news: THE EAGLE HAS LANDED (my son whom I yet to give name). One good thing of him (Dean), was that he let me speak most of the time and thus making me comfortable. Andrew calls me a “poor listener” that I’m. So it was good opportunity addressing the ‘office’ of bureau chief. I, however, later realized this unfair and asked him a couple of questions ranging from the reasons behind his leaving LA Times to his present-day experience in NY Times. And his talk was more informative for me.
One of my good colleagues, Mark Mazetti, helped me attend a highprofile invitation-only briefing of Chairman National Intelligence Council and later to that of Director National Intelligence, top spy boss who sees US President six-day a week in morning to update him with happenings around the world. It was really wonderful interaction that helped me understand their approach--right or wrong--towards the world and that how they plan to combat with the present-day problems. Another colleague, Eric Schmitt, gave me a toured to Pentagon and showed me around, including the offices and staffers of Secretary Defense and Chairman Joint Staff. I also went to Capitol Hill along with my NYT friend, David, who briefed me about the Congress working. Being a political reporter, it was really fascinating visit for me but time was insufficient. Therefore I may be going again there a bit later.
I also have had the ‘privilege’ to attend the White House press briefing. It is privilege due to the reason that you have to be the US national for entering there and I was not. But my colleague, Sheryl Stolberge, not only arranged my entry—though I was escorted by a White House staffer---she also got me provided opportunity to ask a question.
Sarah Abruzzese, ever-smiling supervisor in NYT bureau, set up my meetings with a number of experts on South Asia to help me understand their perspective, again a good experience. In short, this visit was more significant for me in a context that it gave me a chance to understand the US perspective towards the world and how their main institutions work.
Last but not least: my hosts. I have the privilege of putting many people in trouble in only one visit. First couple of days, I spent with Alfred Friendly. Guess which one? Let me give you a hint. My host is alive. He had to go to Massachusetts and Susan generously offered me shifting to her apartment that was vacant. So this way, I benefited from Susan-Randy hospitality. Randy is a wonderful guy and a person worth being with. After spending a week with them, my final destination was Sopan’s apartment. I benefited from his hospitality but this place turned out to be a stop-gap arrangement when I decided shifting to some Pakistani friends in Maryland. So when I would go back to their Maryland apartment in evening, I felt as if landed in Pakistan. But my baby is not there. I have to see him sooner than later. I’m racing against the time. Please help me in this.

Let’s help ourselves

I am back to New York, mentally and physically both. And trying to pick up threads again where I left. I am excited (Lucia, Sonia, Deepak and Akos, don’t laugh), and also dejected. You know writing a piece is a fascinating idea. What to write? It is frustrating to figure out. Trying to make it serious and purposeful, it runs me into difficulty. Gushing talk often evokes admiration but rarely hits the rock. Katie’s email had been hanging as a sword over my head for last one week. One reason of my depression was that I had to write a blog. Instead of her, I should blame Akos who reminded her this big miss: performance of fortnightly rituals (joking).

By now, I bet you’re wondering what this time-consuming preamble has to do with IRE workshop and Poynter? Well, there is a connection but let me give you a break for a few paragraphs.

You’ll find the answer at the end. Remember Roy Clark’s lesson in Poynter Institute, an institute to which I owe a lot. It gave us wealth and variety of knowledge. Right? Hope you agree. Those who disagree are requested to think again. That was a wonderful learning place and my former boss’s words fit true on this. Absar Alam, ex-Neiman Fellow gave me only one piece of advice as I was packing bags for United States. “You must go there (Poynter),” he said. Now I understand he was right. Sessions with Roy Clark, Chip and Ellyn were amazing. Clark and Chip gave us a tour to a new world of writing, dawned upon us a new craft, made us think that we (at least me) never thought before. That was a powerful energy drink after that of Miami where we six fellows had a chance to rub shoulders with the ‘best in business’.

I spent a couple of weeks working in NYT’s investigative cluster and CAR, though. IRE refreshed my mind and gave new learning supplements. I was more interested in attending sessions that explore the world of internet and that how to dig in this mine of information. Sessions like ‘Database 101’, ‘Navigating the Social Network Minefield’, ‘Best Websites for Investigation’, ‘Internet 101’ and ‘Unsung Documents’. My attendance in IRE stormed new ideas into my mind that how that could be made useful. But in no time, I realized it was not easy stuff to do back home. And I have to do reporting in Pakistan, not in USA. “How it’s applicable to your work at home?”

That is a big question raised by Katie. It is difficult to answer, though. Due to this reason, I was trying to escape from blog writing and in the meanwhile deadline was over.

If you throw this question on me again, I would say ‘yes, a little could be applied’. Why a little, because we don’t have access to vital public information. All that can be explored on internet is largely useful in United States, not in many countries the fellows belong. At least this is true in my case. We have to struggle a lot. We have to go a long way. Initially, we can try to set up databases. Yes, it’s worth a try. We can help our junior colleagues to improve their writing skills. What else can be applied back at home? I need my fellow colleagues to guide me. And also Susan and Katie. They can give more suggestions, given their experience of discussing these issues with past fellows.

A few words

Hello……everybody. Hope you’re good, enjoying fellowship. Like you, I also spent the last two weeks trying to learn and it fared better for me. With very passing day, I curse myself for sailing into the sea of journalism without learning that I am having now. But I equally feel privileged for being among a few journalists who got this opportunity. I wish all journalists of developing world get such terrific chances.
The past two weeks, I spent at investigative cluster, Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) and Reference Library. I learn the way investigative cluster works with almost all of its members are Pulitzer Prize winners. I will show the New York Times’ editor investigation Matthew Purdy to those attending the IRE. He would be there on Friday. Also Waltz (I forgot his second name, sorry) who is exceptional investigative reporter with three Pulitzer Prize would also be there. Since I work for investigation cell of The News International, my home publication, it was a great learn to understand their working pattern. People at CAR and Reference Library taught me how to conduct research and I consider it valuable learning.
I am busy in packing up for Miami therefore beg leave. Happy reading.

Let the freedom ring

“Have you posted the blog?” said my host, Akos. Sitting on breakfast table in his beautiful apartment overlooking a lush green view of Philadpehia, we were racing against each other to grab the maximum stuff.
He must be trying to divert my attention from food, I jokingly thought, without giving him benefit of doubt.
“What’re you saying,” I said, my shoulders got stiffened as if successfully going to contest his deceptive move. I trudged to cushion and glanced through the newspaper. Sooner than later, I sank into cushion and my shoulder drooped. The realization started creeping into my mind that some disciplinary action could be taken against me for violating Washington Accord. The deadline for fortnightly entry has been over for last three days. “If you were dozing off when Susan was briefing about fellowship rituals,” I ticked myself off, finally surrendering to Akos. But he dropped yet another bombshell. “Friday was closing date,” Akos said, his words struck at my mind like hammer. But why I am out of Katie’s radar screen, I wondered. She would send reminders of “Hi Fellows” couple of days before the close of deadline, but not this time.
In no time, however, I finally took in my blunder. Realized it’s my fault that must graciously be admitted without smelling any intelligence failure on part of Katie. But I don’t think it’s made-up problem on my part since I have been chronic feckless. My mother always complains against this. “You never care to send me a few lines, detailing your well being,” she would say, putting me on weaker wicket. But what can I do? I happen to be highly unceremonial, caring though.
Sitting on the cushion at Akos apartment and repenting my bad habit, I thought I could not be a good correspondent. Lit a cigarette and started taking into account my smoke-and-mirror policy but in fractions of seconds I bailed myself out and went outdoor with Akos for touring the historic city where the United States of America was born. But the idea of blog writing kept haunting me all the time when we were visiting the Independence National Historical Park that has preserved a fair portion of colonial, revolutionary and federal period heritage. As we were visiting the Liberty Bell that is considered an international symbol of freedom, I found a bunch of tourists curiously reading the history of bell and how the crack appeared into it on its way from England, a mystery still unresolved. At the same time, the blog writing was revisiting my mind. “Umar! Let the freedom ring,” Akos said, in an effort to fetch me into present. So I did, jerking my head. Later he took me to the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, initially by 13 States. “Are you feeling the history in air,” Akos said, but I kept pushing me back into blog syndrome. Later we moved to the Franklin Court, again a must-visit place that preserves the belonging of Franklin Benjamin, then went to the oldest street of the city, 18th century garden, museums and many more places. So I spent the last weekend visiting the history and thinking about the blog that I am writing after belated realization. However, this weekend brought a significant let up in office work, unlike the past two weeks.
Now when I have finally mustered courage to compose my fortnightly thoughts, I am dejected to learn that they have already been ‘leaked’ to you people in bits and pieces by me.
But I would like to share one thing with you. There is a visible difference in state of my mind. I am changed now. In my last blog entry, you must have found the depression pronouncing in the fair portion of my writing. I am at ease now, after the publication of four stories. And more satisfied. Reason? The metro section put me on work and directed me to bring ‘actionable intelligence’ for getting space in newspaper. I did so and was legitimately rewarded. Sometimes, I spent even my week-ends working on story ideas, visiting difference places and persons. A day before my (so far) last story was published, I left my apartment at 6am to get a place where the ferry service was to start. It was quite memorable experience.
There was tremendous learning for me, culturally and professionally both. I got the idea how to tell the story.
Now-a-day, I have been posted on CAR section. My friendly advice to friendly fellows and alpha pearl fellow is to spend sometime in CAR. You would learn a lot. My instructor at CAR has taught me how to locate the figure fudging often done by financial gurus especially during budget presentation. The CAR also helps in figure documentation. I believe it’s a must-do exercise. I am also working on a story along with two other reporters. That is related to unrest on Pak-Afghan border.
There are a lot of other things to do in New York but they have nothing to do with professional training. Therefore I am not going to share with you because American culture does not allow anybody to intrude into your privacy (Joking). Hold on readers, let me thank you for reading the whole blog. I owe you a lot. Please tell me your name so I could read you, too.

Past and Present

Past and Present


“I appreciate you love challenging assignments,” Jose said, sipping coffee.
Sitting in airy cafeteria at the 14th floor of New York Times building overlooking the heart of Manhattan, I was ‘confessing’ before the metro editor, Jose, that I feel disillusioned. People are pinning high hopes on me, I told a red faced Jose, wearing French cut beard and eye-glasses.
Jose has been covering sports before coming to metro desk and I have been covering politics before coming to the Times. He used to write about the successes and accomplishments. I have been criticizing the system, bad politicians and therefore mounting frustration among public through writings. Our professional background has left a great impact on our personalities and it was quite obvious during our conversation.
I was getting frustrated for not being properly consumed by the metro desk and sharing my ordeals with him. He kept nodding on whatever I pointed out in 15-minute conversation that took place on April 24 at 11am. Before him, I discussed this issue a number of times with my mentor, Nancy Sharkey. She tried her level best to help me in maximum possible manner. So is the situation of my friend-cum-mentor, Kareem Fahim.
But being on metro desk I needed to speak to the person calling the shots, Jose Sexton.
You should understand that I have been sent in the Times with huge expectations, I told him. But the results so far are contrary to my expectations, let alone others. You people send me on those assignments that are immaterial for you, I said.
And I am not cub reporter; I am here after spending seven years in journalism. I want to utilize my time.
The ideas that look workable to me are frivolous for you. You do not send me on assignments that could create space in paper, I told him.
I have been kept busy in net practice and nothing more. What I would be sharing with my colleagues if this dismal pace of learning continues, I said venting out my frustration in controlled manner. I would be an ambassador of the Times, my people would shape their opinion about your newspaper from my work. Jose kept me listening. “Ok! We will do the maximum. Do not worry,” he said concluding the discussion.
Now there is a hell of difference from then onward. Initially I was treated as a cub reporter, but not now. I am being taken seriously.
Before this 15-minute session, I was sent on assignments that could generate interest for me but not for the newspaper. Anyway it was quite interesting meeting people of diverse culture. I covered a reception ceremony of Bronx-Berlin students’ exchange that has been started this year. It has very interesting background. A video aired last year by television channels showed German army recruits on firing practice. The instructor was shown directing them that feel as if you are in Bronx and some African-American have insulted your mother and you are shooting at that black man. This movie has outraged many people in Bronx and they protested over this. The German government immediately fired that instructor and started working out on idea how to remove this misunderstanding. Therefore the student exchange program was started. It was quite interesting for me but was immaterial for the newspaper.
But covering this event, helped me understand that how to approach the right persons for information when there is bunch of people. Likewise, another net practice assignment was related to the coverage of the presentation of proclamation to a man who saved the life of an unconscious person lying on subway track. I did the whole coverage, took names of different participants but forgot asking one of them, his full name. My assignment editor told me the significance of seeking full details.
I covered a demonstration against Iraq war. Talking with the families of those soldiers fighting in Iraq, helped me get the first hand account of these people and their feelings about this illegitimate adventure.
The nature of my assignments after meeting with metro editor has changed. I am sent on purposeful work. First I contributed for a story related to food habits. I went to different fast food outlets, interviewed people there regarding their consciousness about the number of calories different food items contains. The story was in backdrop of a Manhattan Court’s directive to restaurants to post the amount of calories on the price list of different food items. It was found out that MacDonald and KFC do not mention calories.
Now-a-day I am doing a story over police department’s one of the fraternity organization representing African-Americans, Guardians Association that was formed in 1949.
It is very interesting story idea. An African American was shot dead by the detectives who are also black. The court has acquitted the detective, saying they acted in self defense, presuming that the slain person might fire at them. However the fact remains that the slain was having no gun or pistol along when was shot dead.
There is greater resentment among the African-Americans against the court verdict.
A fraternity organization of African-Americans, Guardian Association, is silent over the issue. I have been working on this story for a week. Still a number of people, who needs to be talked on this issue, are not available.
The New York Times has different style especially on metro pages. It’s far different from many US newspapers are. They rarely cover routine stories in a straight reporting style.
Majority of the stories start from wind up lead, not ‘wreck’ style intros. But one thing interesting is, their reporters have acquired mastery in telling tale. They are great story tellers. One day a story about cricket match was related with the cricket match that was held in 1901 in New York and was reported by the Times.
They link the present with far past. The intro would often start from such happening that has taken place, for example, in 1973.
Initially I felt bored and told my assignment editors that understanding the real theme of the story, takes me sometime because I have to pass through 3-4 paragraphs to get, what is called here, ‘money line’. But now I appear to have become addicted to this style and try to adopt it.
As far as my story on these African Americans are concerned, I have been advised not to make abrupt start. I would be starting it giving reference of Guardian Association’s role in past.

My two weeks in New York Times

Dear Fellows


It’s hard to share feelings being in New York and harder is to write my experience being in New York Times. To understand the city and the paper, one has to be here. Both are marvelous and matchless. City is capital of capitalism and the paper is capital of international journalism. And The Times staff……….please tell that gone are the days when they were considered cynics, aloof and too serious to be with. They are amazing, warm, friendly and embodiment of brotherhood. From publisher to editorial staff, all of them are full of life, down to earth (be mindful, it is not Sopan’s home publication, joking). After all they are New Yorkers, understand the difference.
When I got off the train and stepped out of the station on March 30, I took sometime to understand where I am. Magnificent, tall buildings greeted this new comer. The hustle and bustle in the city gave me a new life, full of excitement. And when I reached my apartment in Executive Plaza, new life dawned upon me. A dreamy place located on the 7th Avenue in Manhattan, at five-minute walk from Times Square. Many of my Pakistani friends are caught in disbelief hearing the place where I am living in. The Times have got on lease a number of apartments in this plaza to accommodate outstation guest and one of them is in my occupation, fully facilitated. Refrigerator, oven, all kitchen articles, six month stock of towels, cable and internet connection, name anything, all are there. I was badly lacking one thing, laptop. The moment I wished to buy it, my mentor got it arranged from the office up till August.
March 31 was my first day in The Times office. The paper owns one of the tallest buildings in the city with 54 floors, 18 of them are being used by The Times and who does what in rest of the floors, I am least bothered, sorry for it. But any way there are offices there but of whom I do not know. Of 18, three huge floors are housing the editorial staff.
By 10:30 am on March 31, I was attending the page one meeting; all heads of different sections were present including the executive editor, Bill Keller. I was introduced and then seated behind as observer. I had a lunch with Metro Editor, Joe Sexton, a highly sophisticated and cooperative person who asked about my plan and told what he could do for me. Cutting the long details short, I had a guided tour of the building with senior editor training & development, Mike Smith. In evening I went to Columbia University’s School of Journalism, had got my visiting scholar card and attended a lecture delivered by former publisher of Wall Street Journal on declining readership of newspapers.
The first two weeks in The Times, I have spent in orientation, learning computer technology; getting briefed about graphics department, photographic section, book review section, week in review section, travel/ sports/ food/ real estate/ economy sections, attending luncheon and dinner with two of them were thrown in honor by the publisher, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. and managing editor Jill Abramson.
Before publisher, the managing editor had hosted the dinner and an interesting situation occurred there. At editor Jill’s residence there were many people invited, some of them were not The Times staffers like office bearers of South Asia Journalist Association (SAJA) and Association of Arab and Middle East Journalist. A young man in his late 30s’ was listening me carefully and kept throwing different questions about world affairs and Pakistan’s perception about US foreign policy, I made causal replies thinking he would be some reporter on Metro Desk. Although he introduced me in beginning when I was shaking hands with different people, my weak memory coupled with noisy atmosphere, failed me to identify him properly. Also his dress was too casual to be specially noticed. But during the conversation, when he casually mentioned that he would be hosting a grand lunch the next week then I realized that he is the publisher since I had read about this feast in sechdule. It led me feel embarrassed but he tried it to overcome. And when I shared him with the common perception about The Times’s dry natured atmosphere, Arthur laughed loudly and said in a whispering manner: “We are living in a brotherhood but we don’t share it with others nor there is any need for this”. Another interesting incident took place during the luncheon hosted by Arthur when a new comer from technology section shared with him the tragic love story of his grand uncle. The guy said his grand uncle was in deep love with the sister of a former publisher of The Times and wanted to marry her but the then publisher did not let it happen. Arthur, instead of getting serious, gave a big laugh.
During my two week orientation, I have learnt a lot about The Times working, its ethical issue, and policy matters. Initially I felt bored reading The Times and whenever I was asked about my opinion regarding the paper’s contents and style, I gave a long list of objections but they neither felt frowned nor rejected my opinion. But now I found out the reason of my disinterest in reading The Times, was my unawareness about the issues they write. The more I am getting familiar with the issues, the more interesting reading the papers makes to me.
I also had meeting with metro reporters covering police department, it was a great learning for me to understand the crime culture here and draw its comparison with the situation existing in Pakistan.
Notwithstanding all good things about The Times, the point of my concern is how to make struggle for getting my work published. Because given the contents of the paper and the stories they display in metro, I find it very challenging to create space for myself in paper. And when generally 7-8 stories get space on metro section and most of them are long pending issues. By average, a metro reporter gets space, I think, twice a week.
No short stories like wreck, rat control program. More often they are about the major city issues being covered by senior reporters of metro section.
My serious business, I mean, going to field started from April 14 when I went to cover a rally of Indian-American Sikhs that they had organized to highlight the discrimination they are facing due to their religious identity. I covered it and filed a report over it that has yet to be checked by assignment editor. The purpose of sending me over there was to get me through an exercise as otherwise such stories are published in form of news feature in some weekly edition.
The current week I would spend working on general assignments like attending some press conferences and discussions, a kind of material that I have so far not seen publishing in The Times’s metro pages. But I hope my assigning staff would make out some way for getting my work published.
From the next week, I would be spending times working with police department reporters and then get to know how to make efforts for getting my work published.