Louise Belfrage, Former News Editor | Middle East

Gina Rasmussen: What led you to your career?

LB: I have worked with TV production, with book publishing, and with the dissemination of research within the liberal arts for some years in Sweden and, most of the time, you have to learn how the media works and how to use journalistic skills in order to get your message across.

As news editor for the WIP, I had the inspiring task of bringing together women writers from the whole world, making their voices heard.

I have never studied journalism as such; I am a historian of religion and philosophy. The key for me has always been to be able to read and judge a text, to have a critical eye and a lot of curiosity. What makes us tick? Why do we have conflicts? What can we do to make a change?

GR: What types of media do you use in your work?

LB: Radio, newspapers, Internet, books, very seldom TV.

GR: How has online journalism played a role in your career?

LB: It has greatly facilitated my intake of information. I was not educated with a lot of Internet. It did not exist when I took my B.A. in Stockholm. All my work from then on has had to do with researching via the Internet and finally working with an online magazine, such as The WIP, as well as Axess in Sweden. The impact it has had on my career has no bounds.

GR: Have you experienced any gender bias(es) in your career?

LB: Yes, I have been favored for being a woman. 

GR: How have international experiences impacted your career?

LB: I am internationally oriented person. I am only interested in working on cross border projects and so far it has been great. Argentina was challenging, since the flow of information is not as free as in Sweden or the States. Last September, I was in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and that was very challenging as well. But life becomes rich when you meet people from all parts of the world.

GR: What do you think are differences in journalism between Sweden and the United States?

LB: There are many: language size – English spoken by perhaps one billion worldwide and Swedish spoken by nine million ... very few serious publishers, being difficult to get a good steady job in Sweden for a newly graduated journalist.

But apart from that, not so much, media is driven mainly by an appeal to mass audiences, a superficiality, not informative, non-analytical. Media as entertainment, "content-provider" (horrible word!) and ad-carriers instead of a form of knowledge and insight bringer. An era of inspired enlightenment feels far away – but I have hopes for the future.

GR: How did you get involved with The WIP?

LB: I was told about it by a friend of mine and then Kate called me up in Buenos Aires, where I was living at the moment, and asked me if I was interested -- well yes of course I was! It was a very exciting project -- and still is. 

GR: What are your views on blogging?

LB: I have little experience and find that it is not something I follow on a regular basis. I read a lot of newspapers online but never blogs. I have a hard time with personal opinion in written form, it comes off better in speech and I am therefore a great promoter of live debates where such things can be ventilated and discussed -- live. And words carry a different kind of weight.

Online all things stick, even lies and hurtful suggestions stay forever and ever. My wish: more live debates, more meetings, more direct contact between public spheres and journalists and experts.

GR: What type of relationship do the government and press have in Argentina?

LB: Difficult question since I had very little of such direct experience. They tend to threaten each other ... .so both are equally flawed. A lot of corruption added to this and the whole system of public information becomes a mess.

GR: How does the press differ in the different places you have been? Such as between Argentina and Kenya, or in any other place you have done work?

LB: Oh dear, Kenya newspapers like The Standard can write that a man was transformed into a goat – and publish it as a genuine news story. What does that tell you? Argentina and Sweden and France and USA belong to a different world.

GR: Are there any issues with censorship or touchy subjects in Argentina that journalists may choose not to discuss?

LB: The Falklands War – anyone saying that England was right in protecting the Falklands will be very much considered pariah.

But corruption is openly written about and ministers are hanged in public all the time, so in that way the press is very free in Argentina. But then again, media attacks on foreign companies arranged by the government also take place, which is terrible and something altogether criminal.

But the days of dictatorship are written about, the crimes, the torture, all of that is spoken about. 

GR: What are the most difficult challenges you face in trying to maintain a balance between your professional life and your personal life?

LB: I don't know really, I am not sure that I suffer from any challenge in that area. To take time off is important though. Also it is important to refresh the mind and keep a healthy private life. Be with family and friends more than with work.

GR: What are the most rewarding aspects of your experience as an online journalist involved in international communication?

LB: Being part of it! Meeting other minds that have other perspectives and learning, seeing new friendships grow and understanding how we are all part of each others' lives.

Interviewee: Louise Belfrage

Louise Belfrage was born in Sweden, earned her B.A. in Comparative Religion and Philosophy at the Stockholm University, and has worked in social science and liberal arts research, TV and publishing. Belfrage is The WIP's former news editor. She is currently working as a cultural diplomacy advisor, organizing projects in the Middle East.

Interviewer: Gina Rasmussen