Questions for Missy Ryan

Journalism 200-201
Monday, October 23, 2017

INTRODUCTION

1 After earning your BA in English Literature, you worked with aid organization in Chile
and as a journalist in Argentina and Peru. Was the work you are doing now always
your goal? If so, why, and how did you make it all happen?
If not, what made you get into reporting on American defense and security?

2 Either way, what was the greatest struggle you faced getting started in this field?

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE: History and Todays Reality

3 We have talked about the emergence of foreign correspondents in the late 19 th

century as one of the innovations that grew out of the great wealth and vigorous
competition of the Yellow Journalism Era. Do you see the work you do as a legacy of
that period? And does foreign correspondence remain a highly competitive position
even with todays high security risks?

4 How is reporting and writing about war different from other types of journalism?

5 How do you do your reporting without risking the security of America?

6 Have you had significant experiences or covered significant stories that you chose
not to publish? Why not? Was it due to external pressure, internal conflict or
something else?

7 What is the daily life of a correspondent when working in high-risk locations? The
media makes us think places like Iraq are constantly dangerous and tense
everywhere. Does it really feel that way? How often have you felt unsafe?

8 Tell us about your best and worst experience. Was being held captive in the hotel in
Tripoli the worst?

9 What type of emotional challenges do you face reporting in foreign and war-torn
places? How do you compartmentalize the tragedies and horrid images of war
when in foreign territory? How do you remain objective in the face of the horrors
you see? How do you recover emotionally from the things you see overseas?
WOMEN IN MEDIA

10 Characterized as a woman who has redefined the role women play in

journalismWhat do you see as your role in redefining the role of women in media?

11 How do you see yourself as a woman in the context of journalism history? Are there
women who have inspired your path and whose legacy you consciously carry
forward?

12 What challenges do you face because of your gender? For example, in America as
well as the foreign countries you report from, are you ever taken less seriously in the
field because you are a woman? If that is not an issue, what are the issues?

STATE OF JOURNALISM TODAY

13 How have you see journalism change as a result of technological developments over
the last ten years? OR How do see the impact of the Internet/Digital Age on
journalism?

14 How do you find working in the context of the current administration the same
and/or different from prior administrations?

ADVICE AND CONCLUSION

15 What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a journalist? What steps
should someone take to give them the best chance at finding a career at finding
career in this field today?

16 Looking back at your career path, from your choosing to become a journalist to
where you are now, what would you change or do differently?

17 If you werent a journalist, what would you be doing?