Raghida Dergham
Raghida Dergham | |
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![]() Dergham in 2012 | |
Born | 1953 (age 70–71) Beirut, Lebanon |
Nationality | Lebanese and American |
Education | State University of New York, Plattsburgh |
Occupation | Journalist |
Years active | 1974–present |
Board member of | International Women's Media Foundation |
Website | beirutinstitute |
Raghida Dergham (
Dergham sees herself as an interpreter of the Middle Eastern and
Early life
Raghida Dergham was born to Nabih and Bahia Dergham in
Career
Raghida Dergham began her career in journalism at the age of fifteen. She and her friend Hanan al-Shaykh, who is a Lebanese author, would publish their articles in the Beirut newspapers.[5] Dergham published articles in al-Hasnaa (magazine) and al-Anwar (newspaper supplement).[6]
Dergham was first hired professionally as a journalist in Boston, beginning her career in radio in 1974 and hosting a program Haneen (Translated: Nostalgia), and from this start, she became a foreign correspondent in New York in 1976.[3] In 1989, she joined Al-Hayat, an independent daily Arabic newspaper, and began to cover the United Nations. Dergham is now the senior diplomatic correspondent for Al-Hayat and she writes a weekly column on international political affairs.[6][7]
In addition to being a regular political commentator on CNN, she has made frequent appearances in other international TV and radio broadcast forums.
In 1997, she served as the president of the United Nations Correspondents Association.[9]
She was influenced by the interviewing style of Oriana Fallaci while rejecting her politics and views.[7]
Notable journalism assignments
Raghida Dergham conducted an exclusive interview with
Dergham is known for her interviews of international leaders and public figures. She has interviewed many notable figures including:
- US President George W. Bush, Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, General David Petraeus
- President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines
- King Husseinof Jordan
- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
- Palestinian Presidents Mahmoud Abbas and Yasser Arafat
- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh
- President Omar Al-Bashirof Sudan
- Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
- Lebanon's Former President Michel Suleiman
She covered the US-Soviet Summits in the 1980s between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev.
PBS Caught in the Crossfire
Raghida Dergham was one of three Arab-Americans featured in the PBS documentary Caught in the Crossfire: Arab Americans in Wartime which aired on September 4, 2002.[2]
Trial for treason
The Lebanese government suspended her
The Committee to Protect Journalists responded: "We view the treason case against Dergham as part of a pattern of state harassment intended to punish an independent journalist for doing her job. The government of Lebanon has shown contempt for press freedom and the free public debate that is essential in a democratic society. The charges should be dropped, and Dergham should be free to work without further harassment."[10]
Dergham responded to the verdict. She refused to appear in the military court facing charges of “dealing with enemy” and insisted that consequently the trial was never held and the charges were dropped.[3]
Awards
Dergham is in SUNY's Hall of Fame as a distinguished alumna, and she received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from SUNY in 2003.
She received the 2005 NAAP-NY Achievement Award from the Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York to honor her professional integrity in journalism.
Arabian Business named Dergham one of its 100 Most Powerful Arab Women in 2011 and 2016 issues.
In 2010, the New Arab Woman Forum presented its award to her for being an "exceptional woman" and making a contribution to society.
In 2017, she was named "Arab Woman of the Year" for her achievements in Journalism.
In 2018, Raghida Dergham was ranked among the FORBES Middle East Top 35 Influential Lebanese Business Personalities.
She serves on the board for the International Women's Media Foundation. She is a member of the International Media Council of the World Economic Forum.
References
- ^ a b "100 Most Powerful Arab Women 2011". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ a b Chocano, Carina (2002-09-04). "Arab-Americans, one year later". Salon.com. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
- ^ a b c "Caught in the Crossfire: The People: Raghida Dergham". PBS. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
- ^ a b "Raghida Dergham: An Inspirational Woman". Absolute Beirut Magazine. August 2010. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ "Hanan al-Shaykh: The Rebel Shehrazade". Al Akhbar English. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
- ^ a b "Raghida Dergham: I practice my profession with the passion of a novice". Al-Shorfa. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ a b "Raghida Dergham on risks, motherhood and Arab Spring". Press Republican. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Raghida Dergham". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ "Raghida Dergham | Who is she in Lebanon". Whoisshe.lau.edu.lb. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ a b "CPJ condemns military trial of Lebanese-American correspondent". Committee to Protect Journalists. 5 June 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2012.