Al Jazeera and the VJs

bisme allahi al rahman al rahim…

We first met the folks from Al Jazeera at the DNA2008 conference in Brussels.

In fact, their Tony Birtley won the prize for best breaking VJ story for his coverage of the Burma democracy riots.

[youtube=[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UqQaizM15Q&hl=en&fs=1]

Sue Phillips, who we have known for years, (most recently as the head of Newsworld) is now moving to Doha to head up their English news channel. And now, Nina Sang, who started as a VJ for Current TV, then moved on to working as a VJ trainer for us is now also in Doha, where she writes she is setting up their online video programming.

They are going to build a global VJ-driven corps of journalists and are asking for submissions.

I think this is a great opportunity for VJs to find yet another paying source.

Here’s the info she has forwarded to us:

Call out for video submission at Al Jazeera International Television

Al Jazeera International’s New Media department is expanding its freelance Video-Journalist network around the world.

We are looking for professional VJs who can generate breaking news stories and short video reports out of their region.

Deadline for CV and video submissions is August, 18th, 2008. Video web-link applications are also accepted.

For submissions or FTP upload details please contact:

nina.sang@aljazeera.net

Michael Rosenblum

For more than 30 years, Michael Rosenblum has been on the cutting edge of the digital video journalism revolution. During this time, he has lead a drive for video literacy, and the complete rethinking of how television is made and controlled. His work has included: The complete transitioning of The BBC's national network (UK) to a VJ-driven model, starting in 2002. The complete conversion of The Voice of America, the United State's Government's broadcasting agency, (and the largest broadcaster in the world), from short wave radio to television broadcasting and webcasting using the VJ paradigm (1998-present). The construction of NYT Television, a New York Times Company, and the largest producer of non-fiction television in the US. Rosenblum was both the founder and President of NYT TV, (all based on this paradigm (1996-1998). The President and Founder of Video News International, a global VJ-driven newsgathering company, with more than 100 journalists around the world. (1993-1996). Other clients include Spectrum News, Verizon and CBS News.