Keeping it in the media family
Kingston - We journalists sometimes have to go to great lengths to find stories. At other times, we don't have to go very far.
While on the hunt for some Ireland fans, I chanced upon an Irish-born film-maker who has been making a documentary on the team since they qualified for the World Cup.
Paul Davey is no cricket fan but he has become firm friends with members of the team and has been busy gathering various insights into the sport at home and around the world.
So diligent is he, that no sooner had I finished interviewing him (you can read about it later), he turned the tables and shoved a microphone in my hand. I can't say my debut in front of the camera will win any awards. In fact it's highly likely that it will be edited out altogether, but it showed how incestuous the media can be at times.
This had already been illustrated earlier in the day when International Cricket Council spokesman James Fitzgerald overheard that I needed a taxi to Sabina Park to attend the Ireland-Zimbabwe pre-match news conferences.
"Forget about that, jump into my car," the Irishman said very generously, leading the way to his sparkling BMW.
After finishing off at the stadium, an Indian television crew went to the Bob Marley Museum to learn more about one of Jamaica's most celebrated sons. Even for a musical philistine like myself, It was without doubt one of the most rewarding and moving experiences I've had.
The Headlines Today team from New Delhi decided ad hoc to make a short film on the museum and interviewed some of the staff. "We need a tourist now to complete the sequence," one said to the other. Guess who they turned to.
Someone must have been impressed by my efforts with Paul Davey and decided an even bigger audience should have my wooden delivery inflicted on them.
Of course, by now I was the finished article and rattled off some spiel about the great man.
If you're reading this in India, let me know when it hits the screens.....
dude .... write some simple english.
we in india are not that good in english. by the way indian TV screens are filled with advertisements these days.
to make it to TV sceen in india you have to be either a cricketer or movie star. NO place for people like you and me.
slowly - slowly i am becoming your fan. give me your e-mail id ....... would like to make friendship with you.
Complain about this posthey tv today is not very popular... i guess that is why they picked you up.... hahahajust jokin
Complain about this post"So dilligent is he, that no sooner had I finished interviewing him (you can read about it later), he turned the tables and shoved a microphone in my hand."
I don't know about Robin - but I do think you should improve your spelling!! 'Diligent' has only one 'l'.
Just in fun - don't take it to heart! i am sure you know English...
And I will keep an eye on the cluttered scree of the "Headlines Today" channel. You needn't worry - their screen is so full up with two or three lines of scrolling text, a couple of ad banners and the rest of the screen divided into two or three...
Cheers - enjoy your Caribbean vacation.
Complain about this postComment number 1, "give me your e-mail id ....... would like to make friendship with you."
I think you've pulled Paresh!!
Complain about this postSree (comment 3) - blame me for not being 'diligent' enough when subbing Paresh's piece at about 11.30pm last night (UK time).
Complain about this postI wonder what Ireland and Zimbabwe had to say at the news conference. I see that match as match between two teams trying to avoid the wooden spoon in the group with Pakistan and the West Indies taking the first two places.
Complain about this postIf you found the Bob Marley museum moving you should read his widow's autobiography.
Complain about this postYour blogs are pointless, more reports doesn't mean better reports, why don't you just blog once a week, you might have something to say.
Complain about this postPaul, I SAID that it was in fun!
Anyway, look at my comment - it talks of a 'scree'!!!
As you must suspect by now, I am in the same business - staying up in India at night, collating snippets and photos for the two matches on now(well, one at the moment - SL murdered Bermuda). Time is 1:44 by my computer.
Complain about this post