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Afghanistan: Showing the Taliban
By Will last year, at the end of May, No Comments; be the first!
I confess an interest in Afghanistan. When I was growing up, I read devoured any books about war, and inevitably lots about the Soviet invasion and the Mujahideen. The Taliban’s medieval militancy fascinated me too, and last year I skipped through Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns, an extraordinary tale that I can’t recommend highly enough. Meeting and interviewing the Afghanistan cricket team in South Africa brought some cracking tales, too, from a bunch of players desperate to prove their country aren’t just full of suicide bombers.
So, I’m always interested reading about war-torn countries from the front line, and Reuters’ blog is just about the best going for in-depth, occasionally quirky insights from all walks of life, but especially Afghanistan and Iraq. Their photographers are slap, bang in the thick of it – it’s required reading for anyone vaguely interested in photography and journalism.
Their latest is by Masum Ghar in Kandahar Province, whose final photo is a corker:
Totalitarian media
By Will 2 years ago, mid-November, 5 Comments »
A considered, accurate, and bloody good piece by David Hopps at The Guardian on the problems facing cricket’s media. You might think that the likes of us (Cricinfo) and newspapers are nothing more than freeloading loafers with inflated egos and an unhealthy appetite for free lunches. You’d be right for the most part, too, but this particular industry is in a state of flux.
CricInfo has endured this treatment for years. One of the most popular websites in the world is persistently refused accreditation by the BCCI because it does not fit in with their grand design. It has learned to scramble for accreditation where it can. Established newspapers, who feared CricInfo’s pioneering of free internet cricket news as much as the BCCI did, were not about to run to help. Had they done so, sports journalism in the independent, mainstream media might not be facing the threat that it is today.
Dozens of sports journalists were laid off at the end of the summer. Some were from the nationals, who have been covering cricket for two decades or more. Others were from regional newspapers who quite often have a cricket desk of one person. Quite what these people will do next year is anyone’s guess, but it’s a worrying time for cricket journalism as a whole.
As you’ll know, Reuters refused to cover Australia’s tour of Australia, and there were more difficulties with contractual terms in regard to Getty Images. And a few days ago, Reuters boycotted New Zealand’s tour of Australia. BCCI and Cricket Australia – and others in the future? – want editorial control over the photographs taken. They want to know who is using them and for what purpose. For the BCCI, they simply can’t cope with the idea that, for example, Cricinfo has been online since 1996 yet they only launched their website a few weeks ago. We had nearly three million people watch the last Test between India and Australia, and none of them had to pay. Apart from Australians. They had to pay in self respect.
So, public – watch out. These greedy boards are soiling themselves about the internet like it’s 1990 all over again, and instead of working with it, they’re fighting it. Dangerous times for all.
5 Comments »From the viewfinder
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of July, No Comments; be the first!
Regular readers will know that I’m a huge fan of photography, and it’s always interesting to hear how press snappers operate. Happily, Reuters’ superb photographers’ blog gives us an insight into how they do their job, including this post from Andy Clark on assignment in the Caribbean.
I have been covering cricket in the West Indies for about 15 years now and consider myself a veteran of many a tour through the islands. When I tell friends and colleagues that I am off to the Caribbean for cricket, I am constantly met comments of the, ”wow nice!!” or “man another tough assignment in paradise”, kind. I admit, it sounds pretty good to me too, but I know better… I have been there, got the T-shirt and worn it out.
Most people when they travel down to the Windies for a holiday fly on a major airline, unpack, sit in the sun, drink too much, burn their skin the colour of a ripe tomato, pack their bags, get back on that big jet and go home… no fuss no muss. I and my photo colleagues also board that big jet but remain behind to move from island to island for the next four to eight weeks… well read on…
It’s well worth keeping an eye on their blog if you’re vaguely interested in mobile, in-the-field journalism. They often report back pretty quickly on the more dangerous assignments from around the world, which makes for a fascinating behind-the-scenes account.
No Comments »Photo essay on the Iraq war
By Will 2 years ago, mid-March, 1 Comment »
It’s five years since the Americans invaded Iraq. Not even the most pessimistic of commentators would have predicted they would have so much troops still in the country, half a decade later.
Reuters have produced a commemorative video – or rather a photo essay, which is even better for this particular subject. Anyone interested in journalism, photography (or, let’s face it, war in general) should not hesitate in clicking here immediately.
[via Sambrook]
Yes this blog is largely about cricket, but I occasionally post other things – particularly on journalism and photography
1 Comment »England are rubbish again. But nevermind
By Will 2 years ago, mid-February, 2 Comments »
I was about to pour scorn on England’s filthy performance today, but the following site just popped up on Google Reader…and reminded me just how pointless and insignificant sport is. It’s almost laughable! Reuters photographic coverage of Kenya has been outstanding and, for any fans of photographic journalism, the following (horrific) photos are a must. In fact, even if you don’t care for photography, it’s worth reminding yourself what is happening in Kenya.
2 Comments »