Ep.364: Leaving (& Not Leaving) Beirut with Imogen Kimber

The Beirut Banyan

0:00 Intro 2:36 What brought you to journalism? 7:07 Attention span 9:34 Narrative 13:49 Media's role 22:43 Preconceived notions 27:34 Public-funded media 32:52 Why are you going to Doha? 36:12 Baabda 49:19 Doing what you're doing 53:07 Friendly argument vs journalist grilling 58:28 Appreciation for audio 1:03:23 Q&A 1:28:41 Accountability 1:41:48 Ireland & sectarianism We're with Imogen Kimber for Episode 364 of The Beirut Banyan, recorded live at Aaliya’s Books. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/i4bpVDbOkKU For the first half of the episode we reflect on Imogen's journalism career since her arrival to the Middle East in 2005, a foundation formed in the UK that has only grown deeper since, and a rapid evolution in digital media over the past two decades. Our conversation includes media's role and effectiveness in shaping expression, the difference between a journalist and an opinion analyst, and an independent role journalists can shape in private and public-funded media. The second half covers my thoughts on the ongoing presidential election, a security paralysis that has stunted politics and why shaping narrative matters when looking back on modern Lebanese history. The audience Q&A tackles both halves as well as a section on Ireland's more recent journey through sectarianism. Imogen Kimber is a journalist and former Lebanon correspondent for TRT. She is moving to Doha to become a news producer at AlJazeera English. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com