Zeinab Badawi is a celebrated journalist and senior news anchor. She is also a former host of the famous ‘Hard Talk’ show. The Sudanese-British journalist has worked with major news outlets in the UK and is one of the World's  most experienced and versatile presenters.

While in Kigali for the World Econonic Forum - Africa, the famous broadcast journalist talked to Sharon Kantengwa of Women Today on a range of issues

How did you end up in the media profession?

I was never one of those people who had a burning ambition to be a journalist since childhood; I wanted to be a doctor until I was about 16. I realised my passion for journalism when I was in my late teens. My father had been a newspaper editor in Sudan, and when we moved to England when I was three, he got a job with the BBC Arabic Service. After I left Oxford University, I did another one year course in languages, and it was during that time that I thought I would try television because I felt it was a very powerful medium. 

You attended the recently concluded World Economic Forum in Kigali. What was your role at the forum?

I chaired the BBC Global Questions discussion with the theme "Development vs. Democracy in Africa”, where we had high-level panels from the world of politics, business and civil society. 

What do you make of today’s journalism in terms of gender balancing?

I see more female faces appearing in media today and women are taking up more of the professional and managerial classes. In terms of women’s presence in the field, and on the screen, I think that it has improved, but still, the senior roles are predominantly male.

It is hard for women as mothers to have careers. We are the ones who give birth to children, and whatever our profession is, there are some interruptions to our work. So you have got to do what works best for you.

Let’s talk about the issue of freedom of expression. What do you think is its role in the development of the country?

The role of the journalists is to bring a voice for the citizens to media and shine a spotlight to the communities as well as bringing leaders to account on behalf of the community. Like Amartya Sen says, there can never be famine in a country where there is freedom of speech. It is not only the security that matters but the freedom of expression is vital to our communities. The press is an inseparable element of a democratic society. Whether the society is democratic or not can be defined by the independence of the press and mass media.

At the end of the day, where would you say you draw your satisfaction from career-wise?

The most important part of my work is to facilitate and throw light on matters at hand as well as bring leaders to account. I have been able to do that through the ‘Hard Talk’ show and it gives me a sense of fulfilment. Also having the ability to go out and see people in their communities and bringing information to the citizens so that they can make up their minds on what matters so that they can contribute to the development of their communities.

What message do you have for our readers?

Passion and compassion are key values in life. When you have compassion, it helps you to identify the right thing to do, while passion helps you deliver what compassion, is compelling you to do.

PROFILE

Name: Zeinab Badawi

Age: 56

Nationality: British, Sudanese

Educational Background: Studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Hilda's College of Oxford University.

Employer: BBC

Awards: International TV Personality of the Year 2009

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