Interviewing rebel soldiers on my 40th birthday
Interviewing rebel soldiers, who have been accused of killing men women and children, inside a prison in the capital of the Democratic of Congo is a very dangerous thing to do. But that's just what I did on my fortieth birthday. Yes the very day I turned middle aged. Why? Because I wanted to find the answers to some important questions for .
Was I scared? What were they like? Suppose they held you captive? These are just some of the questions people asked me after the earlier this year. Time allowing, this blog will be my platform to answer those and lots more questions about the job I do as a reporter for Panorama on and off screen.
I also want to share more of the twists and turns I experience investigating and working a story. My next programme, for example, deals with many sensitive issues. I will come back to its content after it's broadcast in the New Year. Watch this space is such a cliché but let's see.
My name is Raphael Rowe and there are that tell you more about me if you're interested. I've never blogged before so I'm ticking away on this laptop with some excitement.
One thing's for sure, this new look Panorama site and the blogs from members of our team is a first so be gentle!
Comment number 1.
At 8th Jan 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Raphael:
[Interviewing rebel soldiers on my 40th birthday]
That must have been a interesting assignment and a 'just' birthday gift for yourself....
~Dennis Junior~
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Comment number 2.
At 4th Mar 2009, seedofdestiny wrote:Hello Raphael my name is Antuneil Thompson i am a trainee school teacher at Gladesmore community School (South Tottenham) This ia off the subject of your blog however i was able to watch the documentary Jailed for a KNIFE and i would love to talk to you. WHY? im currently working on a Theatre production looking at the Aftermath of the teenage and young people murders in london over the last 4 year. Your contact could be so valuable in regards to what im doing please email me @[Personal details removed by Moderator]
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Mar 2009, johnsolution wrote:THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE FOR AN AMNESTY OR AGAINST IT.
THIS DEBATE HAS BEEN ON AND ON, FOR MANY YEARS NOW, AND, NO AMNESTY, HAS BEEN THE ANSWER. AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT TAKEN THIS MOVE, AT LEAST FROM OUR FORMER PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE STILL WHERE WE WERE AND EVEN WORSE WE ARE CREATING A HUGE BACKLOG IN OUR SYSTEM WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AS ANY NEW SYTEM TO TACKLE THE CURRENT OR FUTURE IMMIGRATION ISSUES, HAS TO DEAL WITH THE CURRENT ILLEGAL NUMBERS.
WHAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS OUR RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED AND WE WITH THE ECONOMY LOOMING, WE WILL FIND OURSELVES WITH A PROBLEM FAR MOR BIGGER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
AN AMNESTY WILL ONLY MEANS WE WANT TO SOLVE THIS PEOBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES UNSOLVABLE.
WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ALL OUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO CONTROL WHO IS COMING IN, INSTEAD OF THE OPPOSITE OR PAY IMMIGRATION STAFF TO TREAT CASES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING HERE FOR A LONG TIME. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND HAS NOT WORKED.
THEREFOR THIS IS THE BEST TIME FOR AN AMNESTY.
OR WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH A BIGGER PROBLEM WHEN WE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. I APPRECIATE IF YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD.
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