This article is part of a series of interviews with people who work in the media to provide the news and views that shape our perceptions of world affairs. Hadeel Arja, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Frontline in Focus, spoke to UN Today about her life and career in media.
What is your professional background?
I am the founder of Tiny Hand, a platform recognized by the Google News Initiative in 2021. I specialize in covering children’s issues in frontline areas and currently serve as the lead editor of Frontline in Focus, which received the Google News Initiative award in 2021.
With over 18 years of experience in journalism, I have contributed to notable publications like Huffington Post Arabic, Al-Hayat, and Asharq Al-Awsat. Additionally, I have been honored with the FJA Awards in 2023 and the Samir Kassir Award in 2024 for my work in investigative journalism.
Working on children’s issues means considering the sensitivity of their stories and how to tell them. Winning a fellowship with the Dart Center in 2024 at Columbia University has furthered my career in children’s coverage, focusing on early childhood and caregivers.
I have collaborated with ICFJ on a guideline called ‘Children First,‘ which provides tips on sensitive coverage from the frontlines. This guide was developed by interviewing experts who have worked in the field for years on these sensitive issues, ensuring that children’s stories are told without violating their rights.
Throughout these years, I have covered stories from major events such as the 2023 earthquake in Syria and Turkey, conflicts in Sudan, floods in Libya, the war in Yemen, and more.
Being part of Frontline in Focus has allowed me to work with various international outlets. Focus is a media agency that provides high-quality content for important outlets, such as Business Insider.
Besides that, I believe that technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality play an important role in journalism today. That’s what we are trying to do at Frontline in Focus XR. Using these technologies to tell stories from the frontlines is crucial to putting the audience in the middle of the event, allowing them to interact and gain a better understanding of what is happening in hard-to-reach places. At the same time, we are targeting a younger audience who are already familiar with this technology.
What’s the best interview you’ve ever done?
I have been responsible for the reporters and contributors department at Huffington Post Arabic for four years. Through that department, we conducted many important interviews with politicians in the Middle East and South Africa.
But to be honest, the most important interviews were with victims of wars and conflicts on the frontlines. I will give an example of an investigation I worked on about forced puberty in refugee camps in northwest Syria, where parents give their daughters pills to speed up their period and then marry them off. For me, these interviews with girls, mothers, and social workers were very important because they shed light on critical contemporary issues. This investigation won two important awards: the FJA Award and the Samir Kassir Award, demonstrating its significance.
Hadeel Arja, Winner at the Samir Kassir Award | For Freedom of the Press.
Who are your dream interviewees?
My list would have to include Kailash Satyarthi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his tireless work in combating child labor and advocating for children’s rights.
Another interview would be with Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the girl in the iconic photo of the Vietnam War who survived a napalm attack. Her story of survival and resilience provides a poignant perspective on the enduring impact of conflict on children’s lives, highlighting the urgent need to protect their rights to safety and education.
Additionally, speaking with Ishmael Beah, the author of ‘A Long Way Gone,’ which details his experiences as a child soldier, would offer profound insights into the devastating effects of armed conflict on children. His transformation from child soldier to UNICEF advocate underscores the importance of rehabilitation and support for children affected by war.
What is your view on the role of media?
It’s a very important question and quite challenging to answer, especially in the Middle East where much of the media operates to support various political views, often depicting only part of the truth or altering it altogether. The challenge in this region lies in presenting factual information despite the considerable risks involved. Therefore, it’s crucial to emphasize the role of independent media platforms led by professional journalists who uphold the freedom of speech. Such efforts are vital in continuing to tell important stories, particularly those concerning corruption and violations in various aspects, which regimes in this region often seek to suppress.
In the coming years, there will be no space for traditional media as we know it today. There will likely be a greater emphasis on personalized and interactive content experiences.
AI will play pivotal roles in curating content tailored to individual preferences and behaviors, significantly enhancing user engagement and relevance.
This technological evolution promises to revolutionize how audiences consume and interact with media, fostering more immersive and responsive experiences that cater precisely to the needs and interests of each user.
Hadeel Arja, reporting from Syria in 2013, in Deir ez-Zor, while covering the war.
Could you share an interesting work-related anecdote?
The story of Sham: I was part of the team that worked on this story, based on the real-life experiences of Sham. It meant a lot to me to witness the hardships she faced and what she endured. Sham represents millions of children striving to survive dire situations caused by war and conflict in their countries.
When Sewing Threads Become Your Shelter : This story highlights the resilience of a young girl named Hiba, who lives in a refugee camp in northwest Syria. She uses threads to sew her family’s tent, protecting them from wind and rain after it was torn apart due to the harsh conditions they have endured for many years. you can use virtual reality glasses to watch this story.
Syrian Children Become Victims of Sexual Harassment : This investigation sheds light on sexual harassment against boys. Some families believe they are keeping their daughters safe by sending the boys to work or fetch things, but the reality is starkly different.
