Shooting the Messenger: The Case for Press Freedom. Episode 7: A conversation with Jaldeep Katwala, director of the Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity
Episode 7 · Jun 12, 09:00 AM
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In this episode of Shooting the Messenger: The Case for Press Freedom, discover the journey of Jaldeep Katwala, a veteran journalist passionate about diversity and truth in the media. Hear about the experiences that shaped his career choice and follow his journey from South London to South Sudan and beyond. Listen to him share his insights with host Hannah Storm on the importance of hope, resilience, and diversity in journalism today. In this episode:
- Jaldeep shares his childhood experiences with racism and his motivation to become a journalist
- He charts his career journey through BBC local radio, Channel 4 News, and international media work in countries including DR Congo, Haiti, and South Sudan.
- Hear about challenges faced by minority journalists in the UK and beyond, and the safety and mental health risks including online harassment and workplace racism.
- Jaldeep and Hannah explore the significance of diversity, representation, and storytelling in building trust in journalism.
- Learn more about the work of the Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and how its research drives change in newsroom practices.
- Take away reflections on hope, progress towards fairer societies, and the power of truth-telling in uncertainty and crises.
Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 00:14 - Introducing Jaldeep Katwala and his background 00:34 - Childhood adversity and early motivations for journalism 00:56 - Impact of childhood experiences and resilience 01:22 - Moving from local roots to international reporting 02:12 - The significance of visibility and community support 03:02 - Navigating racial challenges in Scotland and the UK 03:54 - Experiences in diverse newsrooms and career progression 04:12 - The importance of representation in journalism 05:07 - Moving to international reporting in Congo, Haiti, South Sudan 06:11 - Addressing systemic issues and discrimination in media 07:18 - Teaching journalism and working in global