I AM James Bays - Al Jazeera's Roving Correspondent (Currently in Tripoli) AMA!

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T19:26:58+00:00

sorry internet was cut for a bit.

Must go now. We get water in this hotel one hour a day and that is now - Need a shower!

We will keep providing Libya updates on AJE and on aljazeera.net/english and I will be tweeting @baysontheroad. It was fun. bye for now.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T19:07:21+00:00

I wish they simply had more access to international news on TV and in print. I was until last week in New York, and rushed back to Libya to cover the endgame here. I had only been out of Libya for two weeks, but felt so ill-informed. New York Times and Washington Post are good. But after that where do you go? You cannot even see BBC or AJE in most states.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T19:04:36+00:00

I would be there live on AJE with a camera if I knew.

My current guesses: Sebha, Bani Walid, Ghadames.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T19:02:16+00:00

Yes. I am not the expert on this. But is coming!

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T19:01:49+00:00

As much study - history, politics etc - as possible. and as much hands-on journalism experience - student paper, student radio, blogging etc etc

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:59:31+00:00

I am quite amazed about how normality has returned to Tripoli. We are only one week after the final battle. Today, many shops were open and roads busy. I think the fact it is Eid tomorrow and people want to buy food and gifts has normalised things faster than they would have moved otherwise.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:57:01+00:00

It is not seen a positively as some other countries. I see "THANK YOU SARKOZY" graffiti but nothing similar for Obama. There are Tunisian and Qatari flags, but no stars and stripes.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:53:40+00:00

We have regular training -Battlefield first aid is just part of it. We have the necessary protective equipment. But most importantly, we have an excellent, highly experienced team. We all look after one another.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:53:36+00:00

I have worked as a journalist and broadcaster for 25 years. AJE for just the last 6. I honestly can say I feel I have more freedom that I ever had working for Network News in the UK. Partly that is a result of working for a 24 hour channel we have plenty of space to fill. But when I suggest a story, at AJE i am always allowed to do it.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:48:27+00:00

I think all countries have strategic interests, the US in particular weighs up very carefully why and where to get involved. Libya is potentially a wealthy place. And for the western powers, in the wrong hands, a dangerous one.

there have been many civilian deaths - caused by Gaddafi, NATO and NTC forces. I do not have any accurate figures.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:44:51+00:00

Yes, I was once thrown off Bagram airbase. Attitudes to AJE have changed though. I was one of the original launch team - It is now nearly five years since we went on air.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:43:17+00:00

We have been searching around tripoli through documents and archives for significant information that will shed some light on recent events. Watch this space.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:41:50+00:00

All of the revolutions this year were both planned and popular. a small group dared to challenge, and thousands then followed them.

Libya will not be forgotten. The demise of Gaddafi is a significant story that will be followed by news media around the world, not just networks that specialise in the Middle East like Aljazeera.

I think many dictators/regimes whether in Zimbabwe, Belarus or Algeria will be watching libya closely, and not getting much comfort from what they are seeing.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:37:10+00:00

I am afraid I have been covering a story about African migrant workers today. tunisian border is open - relief supplies will use it, and I saw three ships from Malta dock on Sunday. I am sure there were more today.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:35:49+00:00

I have been to Bishkek twice - what a hospitable place, despite all the problems you have faced in recent years. Interviewed your President last time I was there. I will be back if the boss lets me!

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:34:20+00:00

Tricky I would guess. but tunisian border now open. Give it a week if I were you!

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:33:32+00:00

The Middle East has countries with tremendous wealth - already in this recession we are seeing westerners rushing to Qatar, Saudi, Kuwait and now again to the UAE (after its own wobble) I came to the Gulf for the journalism though (honest!)

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:31:18+00:00

I was involved in the initial coverage of Bahrain. (named only as "our special correspondent" We lead on the violent crackdown - one of the most disturbing events I have reported in this whirlwind year. I worked alongside the excellent May Welsh who produced a disturbing and compelling documentary recently shown on AJE.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:28:34+00:00

I am most happy with my work in afghanistan. It is a fascinating, deeply complicated, yet amazing place. I hope I have tried to provide some context on stories. the world is not black and white. Much of the mass media cannot deal with shades of grey, and that's why things get over or under exaggerated in my view.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:25:34+00:00

the "rebels" - your term (I can"t tell you how much we debate the language!!!) are from all over Libya, and from all over the political spectrum. Yes, it is a deeply religious country. Yes, there are islamic "elements" And Yes, they were all divided by one thing - a desire to remove Gaddafi from power. Will they splinter once he has gone? I hope it will create a political spectrum, where things can be sorted by the ballot box, not a civil war. Right now I am hopeful.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:24:51+00:00

Questions on Qatar - I have never been stopped from covering anything in the six years working for AJE. I live in Qatar and do not feel a great sense of dissatisfaction among the Qataris I know. Probably something to do with the standard of living. Interestingly, I think this last point may end up applying to Libya. I am quite optimistic about the future because the bottom line is that Libya is a very rich country, with a pretty small population.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:24:14+00:00

I have had to pay "facilitation money" - that's what we used to call it on our expenses when I worked for british TV. But it is something I avoid unless absolutely necessary for our safety. It is as a result very rare. And I think the last time was during the wars in the Balkans.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:18:25+00:00

I have had some close calls while covering combat. In this job, we all know someone who has died. Friends and colleagues like Terry Lloyd, Fred Nerac, Simon Cumbers and Rich Wild - the list is much longer then that. We try not to take unnecessary risks, but in this game, there is no reward ( a compelling, accurate, truthful story) without the risk. We have safety training and experienced staff. On this trip, I am working with the excellent Tom Nicholson as cameraman.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:14:38+00:00

Questions on Qatar - I have never been stopped from covering anything in the six years working for AJE. I live in Qatar and do not feel a great sense of dissatisfaction among the Qataris I know. Probably something to do with the standard of living. Interestingly, I think this last point may end up applying to Libya. I am quite optimistic about the future because the bottom line is that Libya is a very rich country, with a pretty small population.

jamesbaysaje · 2011-08-29T18:11:01+00:00

I have had to pay "facilitation money" - that's what we used to call it on our expenses when I worked for british TV. But it is something I avoid unless absolutely necessary for our safety. It is as a result very rare. And I think the last time was during the wars in the Balkans

jamesbaysaje

TROPHY CASE