Multimedia for High School Journalists

Disappearing jobs haven't discouraged high school students from applying to college journalism programs. High School Journalism Day at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism drew an eager audience of students and their teachers. I moderated a panel on "The Role of the Storyteller in Multimedia Journalism," along with Megan Garvey of the LA Times and videographer Phil Ige of KTLA. And yes, I do speak to high school journalism classes. Visit my web site at www.terryanzur.com
For more details on High School Journalism Day, go to: http://annenberg.usc.edu/AboutUs/News/091120HSJDay.aspx

Thank you British Airways!

I'll end the chronicle of this adventure with a toast to British Airways for making it all possible. Going home meant two more 11-hour flights, from Male to London Gatwick, then a bus transfer and overnight hotel before catching another long flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles. Both times I had a very civilized flight in World Traveler Plus. A kind manager even let me use the club lounge and the nice folks at the Sheraton Heathrow credited me for the prepaid night that I missed. BA's Terminal 5 is a city unto itself, and filled with random touches like a full-size horse lamp!I'm living proof that being face-to-face can seal a deal that wouldn't happen otherwise. Thank you British Airways!

Meet the Dean

It was a pleasure to meet Absy, the dean of the Faculty of Arts at the College of Higher Education. He is taking on the task of launching the first college-level journalism degree program in Maldives. I look forward to working with him and his associates in the future.

Random parting thoughts

Missing my plane meant two unexpected days in Male, plenty of time to look around at the changes. Last year, TVM did a story on the construction of the new Holiday Inn, which involved pile-driving into the coral bedrock of the island. The hotel is open now, although it seems a bit pricey at more than $300 a night for a Holiday Inn Express! I can testify to the quality of their buffet breakfast, with fresh fruit and entire pots of coffee!For Maldivian fast food, I ducked into a little shop for a bag of "short eats."
I also had a lovely visit with my friend Ziyo, who is on leave from her job on the English desk at TVM. I met her husband and adorable new baby boy, and enjoyed the swing on her rooftop terrace, next to the open air kitchen.

A Stylish Change

A number of stylish new shops are springing up in Male, but none better than "Temptress." This is the brainchild of Noora Ali and Aishath Hana, who have embarked on a new career as entrepreneurs since leaving the government. They assemble the collection in India and each handcrafted piece is exquisite and well-priced. They also have a translation and media training business.Following last year's election, the entire country played a game of musical chairs. Except for low-level civil servants, just about everyone is in a new job. It was so much fun to have a coffee with these two talented women and catch up!

TV Maldives

It was great to reconnect with so many of my Maldivian friends on this trip, but a major disappointment was not being able to see some of the colleagues who worked so closely with my team during the four months we spent in Male prior to the presidential election last year. When you've come halfway around the world to see someone, it's hard to understand how they could be "too busy" to have a cup of coffee for an entire week. This picture of TVM, behind locked gates, sums up my frustration at not being able to congratulate those who have made so much progress personally and professionally. The highly polarized nature of politics and media may explain why many are afraid to stick their neck out. For that reason, I have not named the people I met with on this trip, except for those meetings that were simply socializing over coffee. It's important to me to remain neutral and open to all views, and I don't want people keeping score of how many DRP or MDP sympathizers I met with. I only care about good broadcast journalism, regardless of party.
My overall impression from watching TVM news is that the English bulletin is much improved, under the leadership of Afruh and a full staff. The look of the newscasts is very professional and when I saw a promo for the on-air talent, my heart burst with pride. I remember back to my first days at TVM, when no one had a job description beyond "newscaster" and anchoring assignments were passed around like a hot potato. It was especially good to see how many of my "kids" have grown into competent professionals, especially Liza Laurella, Moosa Waseem and Soddig, who covers the new president and did some excellent reports with standups from a recent official visit to India. Others are overseas pursuing higher studies and will make a huge contribution when they return home. On the downside, the program now tilts toward the current government and viewers tell me that the former "TV Maumoon" under the old regime has been replaced by "TV MDP." There is still too much "BOPSA" footage of meetings and too little effort to get the personal stories of real people, such as the civil servants who were protesting outside the parliament building.
I also sampled the newscasts on the private stations, DhiTV and VTV. Both could use coaching on their presentation, but they were more likely to present opposition views. By strengthening these newscasts, viewers will have a choice in the marketplace just like we do here in the US.

How I Missed the Plane but Got the Deal

First, I want to stress that I don't blame anyone but myself for this. Frankly, three weeks of living out of a suitcase, midnight meetings and strange surroundings have taken their toll. To the point where I didn't realize that I had gotten one numeric day behind with my computer still showing the date in the US. I was sure I was leaving on the 31st, so I had plenty of time to spend a day in a resort. The Maldivians were sure I could even squeeze in one more meeting before going to the airport on Sunday.
Just when I was feeling like the luckiest person on the planet, my dream had a rude awakening when I went online to check in for my flight. It was ALREADY the 31st and the plane was already leaving. Worse, a sudden torrential rainstorm destroyed any thoughts of a mad dhoni dash to the airport island. What to do?
I hit the panic button when the Maldivians and the British Airways help desk in the UK had never heard of Face to Face and weren't sure they could rebook my ticket. Fortunately, BA came through in a huge way, rebooking me on their next flight two days later. There was also the problem of losing the prepaid room I had booked for the overnight jaunt from Gatwick to Heathrow to catch my final flight to Los Angeles. I'll have to pay for another one at last-minute prices, plus two extra days back in Male.
Going back to Male meant another chance to work with the dean of the college to put the finishing touches on the application for a Fulbright grant from the United States to continue the mid-career media training program here. If it's approved, I'll be returning in May and June to focus on improving the relationship between government public relations and working journalists, as well as specialized training for TV stations and others. I also was able to connect with some of the colleagues I hope to work with at the College of Higher Education to help implement their new journalism certificate program.
But this time I'm not taking any chances. I've already checked in and plan to be there early for the flight tomorrow. It's been an awesome trip, but it's time to go HOME.