Chitchat Guide to freelance journalism Kirsten Han's style

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

Rule 1 - Pick an area of interest where there the West is interested and new issues are a constant - death sentence, human rights, social inequality, political oppression etc.

Rule 2 - Immerse yourself in local activist groups and NGOs to influence and steer actions which captures the western audience and the western press and becomes ingredients for articles. They also provide 1st hand information which is fresh and would be a scoop.

Rule 3 - In addition, use the "hidden hand" approach to form your own NGO to drive agenda and actions that you can report. "We believe in Second Chances" is an excellent example of an NGO. Collaborate with other NGOs so you are always close to what is happening and be in a position to influence.

Rule 4 - Find reasonably affluent volunteers who can pay their own way, educated, hardworking but gullible young individuals with a good heart to front your NGO. Pinching Damian Chng who was assisting M.Ravi in the Yong Vui Kong case is a masterstroke. And he brought his girlfriend in as well. Give them the title of Director to make it sound important for them. As the defacto leader of the NGO, you can suggest, shape, steer any outcome that will help sell your articles.

Rule 5 - Do not be shy even though NGOs such as Singapore Anti-Death Penalty Campaign formed by M Ravi in 2005 already exist and has been active with the likes of Rachel Zeng. The issue is not duplication but the ability to control the outcome of the NGO. If you can't control it, form a new one which you can control.

Rule 6 - Ask your gullible staff to author research, engage govt and other organisations, attend briefings such as with Malaysian MPs, Geneva for UN etc which the volunteers either pay themselves or get donations from more gullible people.

Rule 7 - Attend these events overseas together with your staff but in your case as a journalist to claims expenses which are tax deductible but not as an activist. Orchestra events but again use the "hidden hand" approach to get the outcome you want.

Rule 8 - Finally submit your articles to AL Jazeera, The Guardian, Deutsche Presse Agentur etc. As respected News Agencies expect their journalist to be neutral and objective, their editors and their assistants will be validating the articles. This is where the "hidden hand" approach pays itself. Your NGO website does not disclose your name or who founded it clearly.

Rule 9 - Make sure you do not sign any petition for any causes as you are required to disclose this to the editors to avoid conflict of interest. If someone sharp ask you why, tell them that your article plays a part in seeking justice. They don't have know how much you from the article.

Rule 10 - Choose wisely which articles go to which agency. Where your involvement is known, submit it to non-English seeking agency so no one in Singapore is any wiser.

Rule 11 - Submit articles form to crowdsourcing blogs but don't declare to your staff in the NGO that you are living off their backs.

Rule 12 - If you are caught or likely to be caught, resign and disassociate yourself. Take the opportunity to write a sanctimonious statement that you did it to avoid conflict of interest and to ensure that the NGO succeeds as the cause is dear to your heart.


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