In a debate as to whether men have the ability to multi-task, Rageh Omaar would be a prime form of evidence in favour of the notion. He is as accustomed to chaotic surroundings as the average Briton is to a Sunday roast and is no stranger to a fast-paced lifestyle.
When we meet he has just completed a book signing; a relatively laid-back task for this man of action. In his trademark chinos and linen jacket the ‘scud stud’ (as the Washington Post labelled him) casually saunters through his crowd of fans. He poses obligingly for photographs and thanks those who praise his journalistic skills. We find a quieter area to resume our conversation and the EMMA award winner begins to unwind.
I cannot help thinking how different this must be from Omaar’s usual working environment. The sight of the world affairs correspondent amidst some of the most dangerous war zones appears on our television screens with the same frequency as the main character in a soap opera plot. Today he is in the countryside setting of Hay-on-Wye, a far cry from war-torn Iraq or Kosovo. This must be a well-received rest for the journalist who refers to the hectic lifestyle as a negative aspect of the job. “Journalism is an extraordinarily chaotic occupation,” he explains, in his typically calm tone.
Omaar has a flair for speaking convincingly, a useful forté for a person who’s job it is to deliver life-changing news to the world on a regular basis. It may be because of this straight-forward and honest approach that we are encouraged to believe him. He is not afraid to voice his opinions. “My job is very all consuming,” he admits. “I think journalists can be extremely self-absorbed.” As one of life’s frequent flyers, Omaar finds it hard to stay grounded. “All your friends are doing the same thing as you. They think it is normal to fly around the world and tell these amazing stories. There is no one to give you a reality check.”
I was once told that the best journalists are always in the right place at the right time. Omaar has impeccable timing. It is when he mentions his friends in the industry that Michael Buerk strolls past. He has given a talk in the area and takes the opportunity to indulge in some banter with his colleague. Pointing to the white rose Omaar has been given he laughs, “suits you Rageh. You should put it between your teeth.”
“I think journalists have one major thing in common,” Omaar continues. “We are all interested in other people’s stories. You have to hear them, listen to them and try to reproduce them. It is about being interested in people and places.” Omaar’s enthusiasm for the job becomes apparent, “No matter how much you think you know about the subject there is always something else you can learn. There is another country, issue or society. Every day is very different. The best thing about my career is that it is a continual education: you are always learning.”
Omaar’s formal education was not geared towards journalism. He read Modern History at Oxford and looks back on the experience positively. “I really enjoyed university but I didn’t do any journalism. I got into it more afterwards.” Journalism was not the only career that the past Cheltenham College pupil considered. “I thought briefly about law but that was more because my father was always keen on the idea. I considered it for a few weeks and then realised it wasn’t for me.”
Family has always been a major influence on the father of two. Indeed, it was due to his childhood environment that Omaar first became interested in journalism. “I grew up in a household where lots of people talked about their travels to different countries,” he recounts. “So I have had influences from all over the world. That is what sparked an interest in foreign affairs and foreign climes. I thought journalism was a good way of exploring that.”
The former BBC world affairs correspondent took a freelancing route into the industry. “I didn’t study media studies so I tried to get traineeships. My career has been based on trying to get as much practical experience as possible. I think that’s still quite a popular route today. Although there are many more media courses, a lot of editors I know are still keen on the practical side of things. Can you meet a deadline? Can you convince people to talk to you?” he enthuses. For Omaar the attitude to the job is of the utmost importance.
I pose a regularly debated question to the man in the know, “Are media courses worthwhile?” He considers his answer carefully. “Yes, I think they are.” (Media students breathe a sigh of relief.) “But I think at the end of the day what you have to bear in mind is that people will be looking for practical application. It is still very much a career where what distinguishes you is whether you are somebody well suited to the environment. You can do a course very well and learn a craft and the technical side of things. But it is very much an attitude in journalism as well. Editors still look for that.”
Journalism does not have a reputation for being a fiercely competitive industry for no reason. Its variation and refreshing lack of routine has broad appeal. Omaar appreciates the different layers to the job. “There are loads of angles to what I do,” he explains. “I do like the story-telling but also really enjoy the editing side of it all. Looking at how you portray a story interests me. Documentaries can take weeks or months to edit. I enjoy that side of the job the most now but that could change. Maybe, I’ll start to like the research more.”
Omaar’s inquisitive nature motivates his future plans. “I want to keep broadcasting the subjects that mean a lot to me,” he says. “Documentaries certainly interest me. More so than news reporting. I think news reporting is great but I would like to focus on more documentaries. I would never do the news desk. I definitely want to carry on writing as much as possible too. So I’d like to publish more books. Not necessarily religious ones. There are many subjects I’m interested in.”
The writer’s Revolution Day book deals with the effects of the Saddam Hussein regime, UN sanctions and the Iraq War on Iraqi civilians. During his coverage of the Iraq war, almost 90% Of the population watched him on either the weekday BBC news bulletins, or on News 24. The reporter witnessed historical moments first hand but was unaware of exactly how important they were until afterwards. “I had no idea that it was as defining as it was,” he explains, referring to the moment that Saddam Hussein’s statue was pulled down. “I remember just trying to get a light for a cigarette from someone because I thought I was broadcasting on the phone. I didn’t know the camera could see me. I was talking about what was going on at the same time as gesturing for a light and then someone said, ‘oh, I think we can see you now’. So I sort of dropped my fag and carried on. I just tried to report everything I could see and feel.”
Despite some of the more frightening moments, Omaar enjoyed his time in Iraq. “We were treated very well,” he says. So did his opinion of the war change as a result of experiencing it so closely? “Well, I had been going to Iraq for six years before that but my opinion changed because of the disastrous way the war panned out. It’s amazing how bad things have got since I was there.”
Omaar is familiar with several cultures. Born in Somalia, he came to Britain when he was six and has traveled extensively. However, it is Iran that really fascinates him. “Not just because it’s in the news,” he explains. “I have been to Iran before. India and Pakistan are amazing as well. So really, that part of the world is my favourite to visit.” Omaar’s love of the countries he visits and works in is obvious. Who said you can’t combine business with pleasure?
