One of the reasons I haven’t been posting much recently is that late last year I took a job as the editor of EURObiZ Japan, a new magazine for the members of the European Chamber of Commerce in Japan. I’ve enjoyed freelancing immensely, so it wasn’t an easy decision. But it was definitely time for a change and a good opportunity to see the other side of the editor’s desk.
I did, however, first produce this swansong to my five year long freelance career. I wrote a bit about what worked for me, and what I think correspondents will need to do faced with a moribund media and galloping technology.
The article was carried in Spotlight Japan. I’d be interested to hear what people think.
Foreign Correspondent 2.0
By Tony McNicol
For the Japan-based foreign journalist 2009 has been a tough year. As we all know, media everywhere are in big trouble. Once hallowed organizations are laying off staff in droves or even going out of business. Here in Japan, foreign bureau were already reducing staff and upping sticks to Beijing even before the economic downturn. There can hardly have been a worse time for the Japan correspondent.
Or perhaps it isn’t all that bad? As full time correspondents find themselves grounded freelancers may get a chance to spread their wings: especially if they are ready to experiment with a plethora of new media; audio, video, blogs, social networking, to name just a few. As they say in Japanese ‘pinch ni chance’ – opportunity in adversity. As a Tokyo-based freelancer with five years experience writing and photographing Japan – here are some suggestions: mainly for myself, but also for other foreign writers in Japan.
1. Say bye bye to the bureaux
The roaming correspondent dispatched to far flung outposts across the world several years at a time has gone home and probably won’t be back. In his place is the freelancer or stringer on a modest retainer. While correspondents would have been given time and assistance to acclimatize and learn about their new postings, freelancers need to hit the ground running. Journalists doing the work of correspondents will be the country long-term, if not actually Japanese nationals with English skills.
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