I worked at Independent as a freelancer for two and half years, I received many well dones from editors for my well researched stories, and good writing skill.

I am Indian, a female and bright. I never showed a lack of talent as a writer, never demanded to know why my five previous interviews were unsuccesful never asked any questions as to why journalists who dont even have a diploma as yet were given more respect than I was. I worked for those two and half years as a freelancer, earning respect as a journalist, but treated as a nobody by management.

My last interview went extremely well there, even the human resources person told me, hey, you did great. To my utter horror, the next week, I found out that a girl, who had not much writing experience or loyalty got the job, 'cause one of the top people at the interview liked her. She left the job and never even wrote for that specific paper, and the top person left the place as well.

I cried because I was so disappointed, I went into that interview with so much of confidence in myself as a writer, I knew that that daily newspaper needed someone like me who was passionate and cared for the future of that paper and not just greedy for money. Hell, I became a journalist so that I could write for that paper because I was always fascinated by it. One month's salary was R180 and I didn't care because I loved being there. I now work at a community newspaper, but in my heart I would prefer to be at a mainstream newspaper because I would be taken more seriously as a journalist. At a community newspaper, people read your stories but there are always these uneducated critics that hinder any kind of enjoyment and it is really irritating me.

Anyway, I just needed to get this off my chest because it has bugged and lived with me for a long while now. It has really changed me as a person, I am not that happy-go-lucky person and it really stinks.

One more thing, mainstream newspapers, there are people who love the job, have the passion and the skill to write without the content editors and sub-editors rewriting the whole story. My stuff was always 90% me. Give people with talent a chance, not somebody whose more of a friend to you or has the correct skin colour. Talent is what this country needs to prosper. The media industry in Durban is lacking talent, and honestly I don't see it lasting for long. Please do something about it, I am not trying to be harsh, it is just time somebody gave Independent's Durban managers a wake up call because they are too comfy in their gravy trains. No offence!

[25 May 2004 13:41]

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