Bonus Ep: The Darker Side of Journalism: One Woman's Journey to Fleet Street | Shorts with Sue Douglas part 3

Summary

James Reed: All About Business Episode Summary: Bonus Ep: The Darker Side of Journalism: One Woman's Journey to Fleet Street | Shorts with Sue Douglas Release Date: January 24, 2025

In this compelling bonus episode of "All About Business Shorts," host James Reed engages in a profound conversation with Sue Douglas, a multifaceted entrepreneur, tech CEO, and seasoned journalist. The discussion delves deep into the harrowing and transformative experiences Sue encountered while reporting in apartheid-era South Africa, ultimately leading her to establish a formidable presence on Fleet Street. This summary captures the essence of their candid dialogue, highlighting key moments, insights, and impactful quotes.

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1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest

James Reed opens the conversation by setting the stage for an insightful exploration into the challenges and triumphs of journalism under oppressive political regimes. He introduces Sue Douglas, emphasizing her diverse background and accomplishments.

James Reed (00:00): "Welcome to All About Business Shorts where I'm joined by the entrepreneur, tech CEO and journalist, Sue Douglas."

2. Sue Douglas's Early Career and Move to South Africa

Sue Douglas recounts her initial foray into journalism, highlighting a pivotal decision influenced by personal relationships and political convictions. She describes the circumstances that led her to South Africa—a nation entrenched in apartheid—against her better judgment and personal beliefs.

Sue Douglas (00:55): "The track from medical went, it always involves a man, you see as a woman. My then boyfriend from Arthur Anderson days had moved to South Africa to start the Anderson's office in Johannesburg and I didn't want to go because I was loving what I did."

Despite her reluctance due to her opposition to apartheid, Sue was persuaded to move, underscored by her boyfriend’s gesture of gifting her a sports car and a one-way ticket.

Sue Douglas (00:55): "But then he sent me a one way ticket and told me he'd bought me a sports car. So on that basis I went."

3. Experiences as a Journalist during Apartheid

Upon her arrival, Sue began working for the Rand Daily Mail, immersing herself in the volatile environment of apartheid South Africa. She vividly describes the tension and brutality she witnessed, which left an indelible mark on her journalistic ethos.

Sue Douglas (01:27): "Nelson Mandela is still in prison and I'm out in Soweto watching horrible, horrible things."

One of the most harrowing experiences Sue shares is witnessing an Afrikaner policeman brutally beat a young boy during a demonstration. The incident starkly illustrates the oppressive force wielded by the state against civilians.

Sue Douglas (02:10): "I was standing with a photographer and watching a big Afrikaner policeman beating up a young boy. And they were demonstrators and they'd been silly and they were running riot and he got hold of him and he was whacking him with a sandbox and really whacking him."

4. Pivotal Moments and Growth in Journalism

This traumatic event becomes a turning point for Sue, reinforcing her commitment to journalism. She grapples with feelings of impotence yet recognizes the power of media in effecting change. Her resolve to make a difference through reporting solidifies her passion for the field.

Sue Douglas (03:00): "I think the lessons that I learned there really at the front line, made me absolutely fall head over heels in love with being a journalist."

Sue reflects on how these frontline experiences contrasted with her previous career aspirations in social work, ultimately steering her towards journalism as a more impactful avenue.

Sue Douglas (04:00): "But also it made me think I can make a difference. And that really, really mattered to me."

5. Transition to Fleet Street and Professional Challenges

Upon returning to her home country, Sue sought recognition for her work and aimed to advance her career by joining the esteemed Fleet Street—the epicenter of British journalism. However, she faced significant hurdles, including rejection from the Guardian, despite her impressive credentials and affiliations.

Sue Douglas (04:45): "I'd been a member of the ANC, a member of Black Sash. I was a very good friend of Winnie Mandela's and I would have all the card carrying, I'm a Guardian."

Undeterred, Sue took matters into her own hands by approaching the News of the World directly. Her proactive approach led to an unexpected opportunity, showcasing her resilience and determination.

Sue Douglas (05:00): "I walked into the offices of the News the World. I didn't even know that they were the News of the World. And I said, have you got any shifts for news reporters?"

She secured a position, albeit modestly compensated, but found her true calling within the chaotic and vibrant environment of Fleet Street. Her anecdote about encountering Paula Yates in the infamous "Animals room" underscores the eclectic and dynamic nature of her new workplace.

Sue Douglas (05:30): "And in the animals room, there was a room about this size, was Paula Yates standing on a desk, screaming."

6. Reflection and Lessons Learned

Sue Douglas concludes her narrative by reflecting on her journey, highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and the unyielding pursuit of one's passion. Her story serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming obstacles and forging a path in the competitive world of journalism.

Sue Douglas (05:50): "Again, I found my metier. So I love that. Again, contrarian, inclusive, slightly Mad World."

7. Conclusion

James Reed wraps up the episode by acknowledging the depth and intensity of Sue Douglas's experiences, inviting listeners to explore Parts 1 and 2 of her journey for a more comprehensive understanding.

James Reed (05:01): "Thanks for listening to All About Business Shorts with Sue Douglas. Parts 1 and 2, available now. See you next time."

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Key Takeaways

• Resilience in Adversity: Sue Douglas's experiences in apartheid South Africa highlight the resilience required to navigate and report under extreme political oppression.
• Impact of Journalism: Witnessing brutality firsthand reinforced Sue's belief in the power of journalism to effect meaningful change.
• Career Determination: Faced with rejection from prestigious publications, Sue's proactive approach underscores the importance of determination and adaptability in career advancement.
• Dynamic Work Environments: The eclectic and often chaotic nature of Fleet Street provided Sue with a fertile ground to hone her skills and establish herself in the journalism landscape.

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This episode serves as a powerful narrative of courage, determination, and the transformative power of journalism. Sue Douglas's journey offers invaluable lessons for aspiring journalists, business leaders, and anyone striving to make a difference through their chosen field.

Transcript

[James Reed]

Welcome to All About Business with me, James Reed, the podcast that covers everything about business management and leadership. Every episode I sit down with different guests who bootstrapped companies, masterminded investment models, or built a business empire. They're leaders in their field and they're here to give you top insights and actionable advice so that you can apply their ideas to your own career or business venture. Welcome to All About Business shorts where I'm joined by the entrepreneur, tech CEO and journalist, Sue Douglas. In this episode, sue talks to me about the darker side of breaking a story in apartheid South Africa. But then you, your career really sort of lit up, didn't it? I mean, you ended up being a Fleet street editor. I did talk me through that. And how you did that.

[Sue Douglas]

The track from medical went, it always involves a man, you see as a woman. My then boyfriend from Arthur Anderson days had moved to South Africa to start the Anderson's office in Johannesburg and I didn't want to go because I was loving what I did. Long story short, also it was apartheid South Africa and I quite politically opposed to that. But then he sent me a one way ticket and told me he'd bought me a sports car. So on that basis I went.

[James Reed]

You like cars?

[Sue Douglas]

I do. My 18th birthday present from said father. The engineer who wanted us to be boys was the skid pans at Brands Hatch. So you begin to see the DNA here. So I went to South Africa and I worked for the Rand Daily Mail. And there I was on stories as a reporter, having abandoned all my medical background now, and I'm just a reporter and loving it. Nelson Mandela is still in prison and I'm out in Soweto watching horrible, horrible things. And there was one of those moments and I think everyone's careers have moments. And I remember I was standing with a photographer and watching a big Afrikaner policeman beating up a young boy. And they were demonstrators and they'd been silly and they were running riot and he got hold of him and he was whacking him with a sandbox and really whacking him. And next to me, Greg is taking the pictures and I'm feeling totally impotent with a pencil and a pen and a notebook. And I said, come on, Greg, we've got to stop him, he's going to kill him. And Greg said, no, click, click, the world, click. We'll see this. You stop that and the world won't see it and you'll be in prison as well. Now that was, I can see that like it was yesterday and it was a long time ago, because I would have been 24, 25 years old, 24. And I think the lessons that I learned there really at the front line, made me absolutely fall head over heels in love with being a journalist. So the drama of it, but the import of what you could portray and what you could do, back to the social worker career that I'd been taught told maybe I should follow. But also it made me think I can make a difference. And that really, really mattered to me. When I came home after a year there, I thought, right now I want some awards for the journalism I'd done there. I'll waltz into a career in Fleet Street. And I went to the Guardian, which would have been the natural home. I'd been a member of the anc, a member of Black Sash. I was a very good friend of Winnie Mandela's and I would have all the card carrying, I'm a Guardian. And they barely took the time to see me. And I remember the person I went to be interviewed with important about recruitment, again, looking and going, that's a bit contrived, no. So I walked out and I'm not allowed to say very bad expletives in this interview, but I thought, okay, fine. So I walked down Fleet street, down in the old days when everybody was literally in one patch. And I walked into the offices of the News the World. I didn't even know that they were the News of the World. And I said, have you got any shifts for news reporters? And they said, yeah, yeah, over there, love. £53.76 a shift. Off you go over there. And I went over there and registered and I walked into what was called the Animals room. And in the animals room, there was a room about this size, was Paula Yates standing on a desk, screaming. But it was that long ago. A black Baker Light phone, I think it was. Maybe it was black plastic that by then screaming at Bob Geldof and four other people in the room who I still am in touch with, one of them, Rebecca Brooks, who later became chief exec of the whole of News uk. And they were fairly exotic, other animals. And I thought, ha, again, I found my metier. So I love that. Again, contrarian, inclusive, slightly Mad World.

[James Reed]

Thanks for listening to All About Business Shorts with Sue Douglas. Parts 1 and 2, available now. See you next time.