'Local news keeps communities connected', says award-winning journalist Faraz Javed

It wasn't exactly a desire to report news that brought Faraz Javed into the world of journalism. He had hoped to study filmmaking and had even been part of international productions such as Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol and Star Trek. Having briefly dabbled in the world of American news while working for MTV as part of its MTV News, Javed, who was born and raised in the UAE, began a full-fledged career as a journalist with Dubai One. Today, he reports for WXYZ and covers Michigan, and has won a regional Emmy for his reporting on the Michigan State University shooting. On his recent visit to the UAE, Javed spoke about how hyperlocal stories impact and empower communities.

Edited excerpt from an interview:

What did your childhood look like?

I was born and raised in Dubai, with an upper-middle-class upbringing. I remember when the World Trade Center was the tallest building in the city and a key welcome landmark when driving from Abu Dhabi. At that time, one could go from one end of Dubai to another in 15 minutes. However, one of the most memorable aspects of my childhood was how I was able to spend quality time with my parents and siblings.

Sure, as an adult, I can certainly choose how I use my time now, but it means giving up something in return.

I guess my childhood played an important role to instill in me the value of relationships and quality family time over everything else. That's why the older I get, the more I surround myself with genuine people.

Before you entered media, you had been dabbling in filmmaking. What compelled you to change direction?

During my first year of college in Dubai, I worked for a PR/advertising firm in Media City and organised several events and festivals. I even won an acting competition that took me to Mumbai for an all-expense-paid four-month acting programme under the guidance of Bollywood and theatre actors Nadira Babbar and Kader Khan. During my university years in New York, I interned for a film production company where I participated in several TVC and documentary shoots. I even took up acting as a side hustle, doing short films and theatre. After completing my bachelors in film and television, I landed a job at MTV in New York City. I worked my way up from a production assistant to a producer. This brought me back to Dubai, where I was assigned to film an MTV Cribs-inspired series in the Middle East. While the project never came to fruition, I bagged a radio job, hosting my drive-time show. Soon after, Arab Media Group hired me to produce a COPS-inspired reality show for Noor Dubai TV. This paved the way for me to work for Dubai One, where I produced several TV shows, including That's Entertainment and Studio One. Towards the end of 2014, I transitioned to Emirates News, where I worked as a hybrid reporter and producer before moving to the US to work for ABC News in Detroit. And, I also continued with radio during this time, freelancing for radio stations in Oman and the UAE. Last but not least, I also worked in the assistant director's unit on A-list Hollywood movie sets including Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol and Star Trek.

Can you take us through your experience of being a part of these film sets?

Working on both movies was like a dream come true. Even though they were long 20-hour days, six days a week, the experience is one of the biggest highlights of my 21-year career, including going to the Oscars and, most recently, bagging an Emmy award for journalism. Stories about rubbing shoulders with Tom Cruise and assisting actors on set never get old at the dinner table. I often tell folks how Tom Cruise fist-bumped me after completing his scenes at the top of the Burj Khalifa. Or Idris Elba complimenting my tinted glasses while seeking shopping advice. Then, there was the moment Chris Pine, Simon Pegg and I debated about nutrition and whether carbs were friendly.

You worked in the television news media here. It is at a very different stage here as compared to the rest of the world. What had your experience been like?

I briefly dabbled in the world of American News while working for MTV as part of its MTV News, but Dubai One was my launchpad as a journalist. This is where I experienced what a proper newsroom is. As a Dubai Government channel, our number one priority was to be the bridge between government officials and the expats, sharing the latest information and updates on things that impact people in the city and the UAE. It was the pandemic that really opened my eyes to how crucial a role news plays. During that time, I was considered an essential worker. I still get goosebumps thinking about how I was among the few non-first responders to be given a permit that allowed us to be outside during the lockdown. Being the only English news outlet in the country, we had a crucial responsibility to share vetted and factually correct information with the public as lives depended on our content. What's more, due to social distancing and limited staff, I also became a cameraman, filming my stories with Dubai Police, Civil Defense, and more in a hazmat suit, covering safety protocols and how the infection was being contained. I would also edit my own stories and anchor Covid bulletins from the studio.

What prompted your move to the US?

anamika@khaleejtimes.com