The Journalist – Ahdeya Ahmed

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Back in 1991, she was one of the first Bahrainis in the GDN newsroom. This year, Ahdeya was voted in as the first woman chairman of Bahrain Journalists Association and there have been many other achievements along the way.

How did you get involved in journalism?
I loved literature in school and nothing was as good as telling stories. I had just graduated, at 18 , and thought ‘Why not work and study at the same time?’

I read in the GDN that reporters were required. I had the advantage of the required language, since I had studied at Sacred Heart School. I still recall the first question [the late] Les Horton, then editor, asked me: “What do you read in the newspaper?”

My answer was the first step in my career. I answered: “I’m 18… what would I read apart from my zodiac sign and the TV schedule?”
He looked at me and said: “You are both honest and confident and I will give you a chance.” And that’s where I took the first step in my career… the Fourth Estate.

I was among the first Bahrainis in the newsroom… but not THE first. Probably second or third. It was the newsroom where I learnt what journalism is; the main ethics and principles. And there also that my lifelong passion grew.

Les was my teacher and I was guided and supported by Clive Jacques and George Williams [former and current editors in chief]. My colleagues were amazing. It was a newsroom where I learnt the true value of friendship. And I was so proud. In the early 1990s there were only two English speaking [Arab] journalists and the GDN gave me an opportunity I can never forget. I still have a sense of belonging to the paper. I guess it’s my roots.

What’s the story you are most proud of?
Any story you write that touches someone’s life leaves an impact on you as a journalist. There are two that I can never forget. One was a campaign to raise money for the treatment of a very ill child who needed a bone marrow transplant. The campaign succeeded and more money than expected was raised. This is journalism. When you can contribute to changing a life. Unfortunately, the child didn’t make it, but it showed that journalism, when ethical and representing people’s voices, can be a tool used to serve the public.

Another story was that of a visually disabled young girl who wasn’t getting a seat at university because of her disability. A few hours after the story was published, university officials called and offered her a seat and books in Braille. Another life was changed. And another message was delivered. Journalism when well practised can succeed in its main objectives.

Will you be aiming to encourage more Bahraini women into the field in your role with the BJA?
Our current board at BJA has four female members out of nine. I am very proud of that. But I do encourage female journalists who aren’t on the board to be active through committees, including the women’s committee and the equal opportunities committee. We created a group of more than 100 female journalists and we aim at increasing our number through involving journalists that work with magazines.

Bahrain’s press industry isn’t just the six local daily newspapers. I also represent women in the Middle East at the International Federation of Journalists Gender Council which deals with complaints about injustice, mistreatment or harassment of female journalists at their workplaces. I’m there to represent all female journalists and it is my duty to get any issues related to female journalists resolved or escalated when required.

My dream is to see more women in leading positions in the press. We need female editors and editors in chief and I strongly believe that this will happen very soon.