John Simpson

Munkey

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Right, in college atm doing my A-levels getting ready for Uni and, being the usual student, i have no idea what I want to go in for at Uni and then for a career. At the moment a journalistic career looks very attractive, so that would take it down to English or, preferably, History if i can wangle it. I read the newsies alot and, hating the american propoganda machines they call their News Channels, watch BBC World.
Now having read a few of his autobiographies, seen him on the news and other various debatings shows, he's sort of generated the most interest within me, both as a "wow, look what he's done" and a "wow, i'd love to do that for a job". So I'm wondering if there's any way i can get into contact with him, to ask him how he got into it all, without reading it from a book, and to perhaps give me a bit of advice*. Reason why I'm asking now is because he comes out to Qatar for a conference, february 16-17, and I'd like to meet him face to face.

So does anyone have any idea how i can get into contact with him? Nosed around the various BBC sites but to no avail. I'd really like to meet him if i can.

*talking/meeting him might help me get my foot in the door, so to speak, as well.
 

bigbb

Loyal Freddie
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I'd suggest writing (In letter) to BBC News HQ, FAO John Simpson. They should be quite good about forwarding that on in some sense.

Second idea, go to a book shop. Pick a copy of his autobiography and read the publisher's details and/or contacts, write/email/phone them.

Thirdly, look up any agent's details - A quick search on google found he's a part of Knight Ayton Management and contact details are listed here.*

Contrary to popular belief, a lot of people are generally quite eagar to help. Especially people as pro-active as John Simpson. Give it a go.

*These are not particularly well ordered, I'd say try option 3 first.
 

Munkey

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Thanks bigbb! Great help.
 

Munkey

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I found this http://www.skillsformedia.com/ on the site and it's full of good advice. Ta for that link Tom. During the Summer I had applied for a bit of work experience at some newspaper's, with only one reply informing me that they diddn't exactly have anything for me to do but if I came along and was willing to work for zero pay they were sure they could find me something (which in my dictionary, something = teaboy), so i turned it down and went to work in a friends carpet shop.

Going to apply again but this time also to the new English department of Al-Jazeera. I don't mind the no pay part, just the "if you turn up we'll find you something" part.
 

MrBlack

Fledgling Freddie
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Try a personals ad:

"Lively student, 17, GSOH, seeks distinguished, greying reporter, mid fifties for chats and shared interests, must have flawless enunciation and own flak-jacket. Box 1254".
 

RandomBastard

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Munkey said:
I found this http://www.skillsformedia.com/ on the site and it's full of good advice. Ta for that link Tom. During the Summer I had applied for a bit of work experience at some newspaper's, with only one reply informing me that they diddn't exactly have anything for me to do but if I came along and was willing to work for zero pay they were sure they could find me something (which in my dictionary, something = teaboy), so i turned it down and went to work in a friends carpet shop.

Going to apply again but this time also to the new English department of Al-Jazeera. I don't mind the no pay part, just the "if you turn up we'll find you something" part.

Work experience is by definition not paid, certainly in this country.
 

Tom

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Munkey said:
if I came along and was willing to work for zero pay they were sure they could find me something (which in my dictionary, something = teaboy), so i turned it down and went to work in a friends carpet shop.

Unfortunately work experience is almost a pre-requisite of working in the media in this country. You'll be very very lucky if you get a job without first working for free.
 

Gumbo

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I would think the same applies almost everywhere.

Pack your CV with a week at this radio station, and a month at that paper etc, even if all you do is make tea, and you'll surely have an advantage over those who sat at home talking about doing it.
 

Tom

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We have a saying here, "Its not what you know, but who you know", and I imagine that to be as true in Qatar as it is here.
 

Munkey

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heh. it is infact. People who know police people can do their driving tests at 14/15 instead of the prequisite 18. Its always about bloody contacts, very annoying.

And Mr Black, :p
 

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