The Changing World of the Foreign Correspondent Recap

A big thanks to everyone who joined us last night at the Housing Works Bookstore to enjoy the "Changing World of the Foreign Correspondent" panel moderated by The Paris Correspondent author Alan S. Cowell. Joining the panel to discuss the rapidly changing world of journalism in the digital age were Chrystia Freeland, global editor-at-large of Reuters News; John Darnton, award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Almost a Family and Black and White and Dead All Over; and Peter Godwin, author of Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa and When a Crocodile Eats the Sun.

How does the job of the foreign correspondent change over time? Will on the ground foreign correspondence be necessary in the future? Does the rapid pace of web journalism compromise credibility in foreign reporting? Last night's panelists tackled these big questions about the state of global journalism in the age of Twitter and shared stories from their backgrounds as pioneers in the field of digital media.

Alan Cowell kicked off the evening's festivities with a discussion of the books that influence his most recent novel, The Paris Correspondent and the themes he explores in his writing: revenge, romance, passion, and amour. Alan shared stories from his past as a local reporter for small newspapers and detailed his ascent to senior correspondent for New York Times.com in Paris.

In today's competitive job market, young writers can benefit from the professional wisdom of a seasoned reporter and editor. Chrystia Freeland offered career advice to journalism students interested in foreign reporting: study economics and languages like Arabic or Mandarin if you want to get hired. Chrystia also suggested that all journalists study the broader economies and the local markets of the countries that they cover in order to be effective storytellers.

John Darnton weighed in on the shifting world of war correspondence and explained how communication technologies change the nature of reporting in a foreign country. John explained that for today's journalists, instantaneous communication allows writers to remain longer in the field without an obligation to file stories away from the action, but that increased exposure to war zones and heightened pressure to get a scoop can also put reporters in the line of fire.

How can journalists tell stories that appeal to both local and foreign readers? Peter Godwin discussed the consumption of foreign journalism and the need for curators to translate detailed and universal narratives in a marketplace saturated with multiple views and opinions.

Those who stayed through the panel enjoyed a lively Q&A, followed by a wine and cheese reception and book signing.

Meet Alan Cowell, author of THE PARIS CORRESPONDENT

Join The Overlook Press on Wednesday, October 26 for a panel discussion on "The Changing World of the Foreign Correspondent" with Alan S. Cowell, author of The Paris Correspondent and a reporter for New York Times.com based in Paris. The panel will address the rapidly changing world of journalism in the digital age.

The event will be held at one of our favorite venues, Housing Works Bookstore, at 126 Crosby Street (between Houston and Prince) in New York. After the panel, there will be a booksigning and reception hosted by The Overlook Press.

Joining Alan Cowell will be: Chrystia Freeland, global editor-at-large of Reuters News; John Darnton, award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Almost a Family and Black and White and Dead All Over; and Peter Godwin, author of Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa and When a Crocodile Eats the Sun and former foreign correspondent.

The Paris Correspondent, just published this week, chronicles the fortunes, adventures, and epiphanies of two journalists, Ed Clancy and Joe Shelby, reporters for The Paris Star, an English-language newspaper based in Paris. Survivors of countless missions abroad, they now face new and unfamiliar challenges of the Internet age and twenty-four-hour news cycle. Personal jealousies and rivalries abound as the two men adapt to the brave new world.

Alan S. Cowell has been senior correspondent for New York Times.com in Paris since 2008. He began his journalism career as a reporter for British newspapers and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. He joined Reuters in 1972 and the New York Times in 1981. His reporting has covered Turkey, the Middle East, central and southern Africa, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom. In 1985, Cowell won the George Polk Award and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for foreign reporting. He is the author of Killing the Wizards, A Walking Guide: A Novel and The Terminal Spy: The Life and Death of Alexander Litvinenko.