Never lose your heart or conscience
Location:
Oslo, Norway
Name of job:
TV-Documentary director, employed in the National Broadcast in Norway (NRK) for ever so many years! Lucky me!
What type of projects do you do?
I have been a documentary journalist for 25 years. For the last 10 years I have been making historical documentaries, using archives and new footage to tell new stories.
Why did this sort work interest you, and how did you get started?
Why it interest me I should think goes without explanation, I was just very lucky to stumble into it. I am a former floor manager, script and production manager, so I have been able to change fields within the business over the years. I have very little education but a lot of experience
What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying? Most challenging?
I love doing interviews and getting in touch with people that have a story to tell. I love the editing process – trying to bring their stories to life – when the shootings have been successful. The challenging part can be the often-long periods of research, and finding the really good cases. And always – finding the best way to tell the story.
What do you like and not like about working in this industry?
I like how my work challenges me all the time. I don’t like seeing journalists losing their jobs in a rapidly changing industry. I don’t like to see how young colleges struggle to get into the business with decent work and salary conditions.
My strongest assets/skills, areas of knowledge, personality traits and values are….
I may sometimes manage to get my cases to trust me and open up, and I try to take good care of them. Being aware of the responsibilities we have as journalists when we expose people to a large audience is important. I try to focus on this in my work.
Has IAWRT’s network of media women around the world helped or inspired you?
I have only been a member for 3 years, but was fortunate as to attend the Biannual in Dehli, in 2015 and CSW in New York in 2016 – and yes I was utterly inspired! We have also invited some members of the network to Norway to share the inspiration with our native colleges.I was elected head of the IAWRT Norwaychapter on our annual meeting March 29 2017, after two years on that board.
What are your long-term goals?
To stay active as a journalist for as long as I cope – and accept it when I get told to step aside.
What special advice do you have for young women seeking to qualify for this type of work?
The same advice that I have for young men: The business is getting hard, so get yourself more legs to stand on. But if your heart is in journalism do not give up hope that there will still be paid work for quality journalism, even under the new owners and editors that we see today.
Do you have any special words of warning, or encouragement, because of your experience?
Being a journalist is a privilege, but not a human right. Never lose your heart or conscience in your work. Just as important as speaking truth to power, is sticking to the mere power of truth.
This is the only English version program of mine still available online. This film got the honorable mention at the IAWRT Awards in New Dehli in 2015
