One of my uncles visited us few days ago. When I went to greet him, he asked me when I was going to graduate. He was surprised to find out that I have been out of school seven months and that I work now.
Uncle: So where do you work? Me: The National newspaper Uncle: Say what? Me: The National newspaper Uncle: I have never heard of it
Although my uncle is very educated, It would be disrespectful to tell him "You need to pick up a newspaper some time". I smiled at that. If I said something, I would be asking for a war. Then he went on:
Uncle: Is it a new newspaper? Me: No, it's been here since 2008. Uncle: Weird, I've never heard of it.
The other day, I paid my extended family a visit. The same scenario occurred. One of my Aunties asked me:
Auntie: So Asmaa, which newspaper do you work for? Me: The National Auntie: Ahhhhh, The National, Me: Thank God, at least my auntie knows about it
Then she continued: is it a new newspaper? Me: No, its been here since 2008. Sigh
Auntie No 2 got involved in the conversation:
Auntie 2: So when you publish an article, do you publish it under your name? Me: Yes, under my name. Auntie 2: What do you do in the newsroom the whole day? Isn't it boring? Me: I pitch stories, update myself about the latest news, write stories, eat, and chit-chat with colleagues.
Before I bid my extended family good-bye, one of my uncles said: She is crazy to major in Journalism. Out of all jobs, she chose journalism. Everyone laughed at his reaction; I laughed at my crazy loving family.
I understand that many of my family members went to Government schools where the education was mostly in Arabic, so I can't blame them for not knowing about the birth of an English-language newspaper in Abu Dhabi. In fact, I have come to discover that very few Arabs, let alone Emiratis, know The National exists. It is still anonymous among many Arabic speakers.
In most of my interviews, when I tell Arabs that I am from The National, they do not recognise the name. It could be because the newspaper is in English. But I believe that more Arabs speak English today compared to the past few years.
So the real problem is many people not reading newspapers – in Arabic or English.
