Barry Bearak
Encyclopedia
Barry Leon Bearak is a Pulitzer Prize winning American
journalist and professor of journalism who has worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Miami Herald
, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times
. He also taught journalism as a visiting professor at the Columbia University
Graduate School of Journalism. As of April 2008, Bearak is co-bureau chief of the New York Times Johannesburg
bureau.
On April 3, 2008, Bearak was taken into custody by Zimbabwe
an police as part of a crackdown on journalists covering the 2008 Zimbabwean election
. He was charged with "falsely presenting himself as a journalist" in violation of the strict accreditation requirements that were imposed by the government of Robert Mugabe
. Despite worldwide condemnation and court petitions that were filed immediately to release him from detention, Bearak remained in a detention cell in Harare
for 5 days. On April 7, 2008 Bearak was released on bail by a Zimbabwean court. On April 16, 2008, a Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges against Bearak, saying that the state had failed to provide evidence of any crime, and ordered that Bearak and Stephen Bevan, a British freelance reporter who had also been accused of violating the country’s stiff journalism laws, be released. immediately following the court ruling, Mr. Bearak left Zimbabwe and returned to his home in Johannesburg." While in detention in Harare, Bearak was badly injured from a fall onto the concrete floor of the detention cell and needed medical attention.
Bearak won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting
for his penetrating accounts of poverty and war in Afghanistan
. The Pulitzer Prize committee cited him "for his deeply affecting and illuminating coverage of daily life in war-torn Afghanistan."
in journalism at the University of Illinois
in 1974. Bearak began his career as a general assignment reporter for the Miami Herald, where he worked from 1976 to 1982. He then became the top national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times
, working for the L.A. Times for over 14 years. In 1997, he joined The New York Times
, where he served as a foreign correspondent and magazine writer. Bearak was co-bureau chief of the Timess South Asia bureau in New Delhi
from 1998 to 2002. In early 2008, Bearak and his wife Celia Dugger became co-bureau chiefs of the New York Times Johannesburg
bureau.
. On April 3, 2008, Bearak reported directly from Harare
, Zimbabwe
, and published a front-page story about the elections, highlighting the suspicions raised by international monitors and opposition party leaders that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe
's party has rigged the election results, amid their fears of losing the elections after 28 years in power. In the article, Bearak described Mugabe as a "statesman who became a ruthless autocrat to be forever remembered for murderous campaigns against his enemies." On the very same day, Bearak was arrested by riot police in Harare, while staying at a hotel frequented by many Western journalists. His safety and whereabouts remained unknown during the day. New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller
pledged the Times will make every effort to ascertain Bearak's status and secure his immediate release. Zimbabwean police later released a statement claiming that Bearak was arrested for "practicing without accreditation." Zimbabwe prohibits foreign journalists from reporting there without government approval, which is rarely granted.
An American consular officer visited Bearak at the central police station in Harare, and reported that he is in fair condition. The New York Times reiterated its demand that Bearak be released promptly.
On April 4, 2008, Bearak was charged by the Zimbabwean police with passing himself off as an accredited journalist.
However, when the Zimbabwean police realized that the press law had been changed, he was recharged with "falsely presenting himself as a journalist." On April 5, 2008 the New York Times reported that local lawyers hired to fight the charges had gone to the attorney general’s office and argued that there was no evidence to support the charge. Officials there agreed, and said Mr. Bearak should be released. However, back at the police station, the police refused to release Bearak. Beatrice Mtetwa, Bearak's lawyer, said: “The police advised that they had received orders from above not to release him. Obviously they got political instructions from elsewhere to hold them.”
Bill Keller, the executive editor of the Times, condemned the arrest and the filing of charges and said Bearak was being held on charges “that even the government’s own lawyers recognize as baseless.” As to the charge that Bearak had misrepresented himself as an accredited journalist, Keller called it a “ludicrous assertion.”
In response to the detention of Bearak and other journalists who were arrested with him, the Committee to Protect Journalists
issued a statement calling on Zimbabwean authorities to "stop intimidating all journalists” and saying, “It is imperative that all journalists, foreign and domestic, be allowed to freely cover the important political situation unfolding in Zimbabwe." In addition, the International Press Institute
, the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, called on Zimbabwean authorities to immediately release Barry Bearak. IPI Director David Dadge issued the following statement:
On April 7, 2008, after spending four nights in a detention cell in Harare, Bearak was released on bail of Z$
300 million (US$10,000 at official exchange rates; less than US$10 at black market rates) by a Zimbabwean court. He was told to reappear in court on Thursday and ordered to stay in Harare
.
On April 16, 2008, a Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges against Bearak. A magistrate in a court in Harare ruled that the state had failed to provide evidence of any crime, and ordered that Bearak and British journalist Stephen Bevan be released. Upon the dismissal of the charges against Bearak, New York Times executive editor Bill Keller
thanked "many people — in particular some brave and honorable Zimbabweans — who stood by Barry" and also mentioned "officials and former officials, civic leaders and journalists’ organizations in many countries" who offered support publicly and behind the scenes.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist and professor of journalism who has worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Miami Herald
The Miami Herald
The Miami Herald is a daily newspaper owned by The McClatchy Company headquartered on Biscayne Bay in the Omni district of Downtown Miami, Florida, United States...
, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
. He also taught journalism as a visiting professor at the Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
Graduate School of Journalism. As of April 2008, Bearak is co-bureau chief of the New York Times Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
bureau.
On April 3, 2008, Bearak was taken into custody by Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an police as part of a crackdown on journalists covering the 2008 Zimbabwean election
Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
. He was charged with "falsely presenting himself as a journalist" in violation of the strict accreditation requirements that were imposed by the government of Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. Despite worldwide condemnation and court petitions that were filed immediately to release him from detention, Bearak remained in a detention cell in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
for 5 days. On April 7, 2008 Bearak was released on bail by a Zimbabwean court. On April 16, 2008, a Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges against Bearak, saying that the state had failed to provide evidence of any crime, and ordered that Bearak and Stephen Bevan, a British freelance reporter who had also been accused of violating the country’s stiff journalism laws, be released. immediately following the court ruling, Mr. Bearak left Zimbabwe and returned to his home in Johannesburg." While in detention in Harare, Bearak was badly injured from a fall onto the concrete floor of the detention cell and needed medical attention.
Bearak won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting
Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting
This Pulitzer Prize has been awarded since 1942 for a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs, including United Nations correspondence. In its first six years , it was called the Pulitzer Prize for Telegraphic Reporting - International...
for his penetrating accounts of poverty and war in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. The Pulitzer Prize committee cited him "for his deeply affecting and illuminating coverage of daily life in war-torn Afghanistan."
Biography
Bearak graduated with a B.A. from Knox College in 1971. He earned a Master of ScienceMaster of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in journalism at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois system
The University of Illinois is a system of public universities in Illinois consisting of three campuses: Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield. Across its three campuses, the University of Illinois enrolls about 70,000 students. It had an operating budget of $4.17 billion in 2007.-System:The...
in 1974. Bearak began his career as a general assignment reporter for the Miami Herald, where he worked from 1976 to 1982. He then became the top national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, working for the L.A. Times for over 14 years. In 1997, he joined The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, where he served as a foreign correspondent and magazine writer. Bearak was co-bureau chief of the Timess South Asia bureau in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
from 1998 to 2002. In early 2008, Bearak and his wife Celia Dugger became co-bureau chiefs of the New York Times Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
bureau.
Detention in Zimbabwe
In March 2008, Bearak was assigned by the Times to cover the 2008 Zimbabwean electionZimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
. On April 3, 2008, Bearak reported directly from Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and published a front-page story about the elections, highlighting the suspicions raised by international monitors and opposition party leaders that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
's party has rigged the election results, amid their fears of losing the elections after 28 years in power. In the article, Bearak described Mugabe as a "statesman who became a ruthless autocrat to be forever remembered for murderous campaigns against his enemies." On the very same day, Bearak was arrested by riot police in Harare, while staying at a hotel frequented by many Western journalists. His safety and whereabouts remained unknown during the day. New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller
Bill Keller
Bill Keller is a writer for the The New York Times, of which Keller was the executive editor from July 2003 until September 2011. On June 2, 2011, Keller announced that he would step down from the position to become a full-time writer...
pledged the Times will make every effort to ascertain Bearak's status and secure his immediate release. Zimbabwean police later released a statement claiming that Bearak was arrested for "practicing without accreditation." Zimbabwe prohibits foreign journalists from reporting there without government approval, which is rarely granted.
An American consular officer visited Bearak at the central police station in Harare, and reported that he is in fair condition. The New York Times reiterated its demand that Bearak be released promptly.
On April 4, 2008, Bearak was charged by the Zimbabwean police with passing himself off as an accredited journalist.
However, when the Zimbabwean police realized that the press law had been changed, he was recharged with "falsely presenting himself as a journalist." On April 5, 2008 the New York Times reported that local lawyers hired to fight the charges had gone to the attorney general’s office and argued that there was no evidence to support the charge. Officials there agreed, and said Mr. Bearak should be released. However, back at the police station, the police refused to release Bearak. Beatrice Mtetwa, Bearak's lawyer, said: “The police advised that they had received orders from above not to release him. Obviously they got political instructions from elsewhere to hold them.”
Bill Keller, the executive editor of the Times, condemned the arrest and the filing of charges and said Bearak was being held on charges “that even the government’s own lawyers recognize as baseless.” As to the charge that Bearak had misrepresented himself as an accredited journalist, Keller called it a “ludicrous assertion.”
In response to the detention of Bearak and other journalists who were arrested with him, the Committee to Protect Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organisation based in New York City that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.-History:A group of U.S...
issued a statement calling on Zimbabwean authorities to "stop intimidating all journalists” and saying, “It is imperative that all journalists, foreign and domestic, be allowed to freely cover the important political situation unfolding in Zimbabwe." In addition, the International Press Institute
International Press Institute
International Press Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries....
, the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, called on Zimbabwean authorities to immediately release Barry Bearak. IPI Director David Dadge issued the following statement:
“The regulatory structures imposed by the Zimbabwean government have long served primarily to silence journalists, both local and foreign, but are particularly problematic during this vital election period. We call on Zimbabwean authorities to promptly release Mr. Bearak, and to stop relying on arbitrary accreditation requirements to prevent independent commentary on the elections.”
On April 7, 2008, after spending four nights in a detention cell in Harare, Bearak was released on bail of Z$
Zimbabwean dollar
The Zimbabwean dollar was the official currency of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 12 April 2009....
300 million (US$10,000 at official exchange rates; less than US$10 at black market rates) by a Zimbabwean court. He was told to reappear in court on Thursday and ordered to stay in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
.
On April 16, 2008, a Zimbabwean court dismissed the charges against Bearak. A magistrate in a court in Harare ruled that the state had failed to provide evidence of any crime, and ordered that Bearak and British journalist Stephen Bevan be released. Upon the dismissal of the charges against Bearak, New York Times executive editor Bill Keller
Bill Keller
Bill Keller is a writer for the The New York Times, of which Keller was the executive editor from July 2003 until September 2011. On June 2, 2011, Keller announced that he would step down from the position to become a full-time writer...
thanked "many people — in particular some brave and honorable Zimbabweans — who stood by Barry" and also mentioned "officials and former officials, civic leaders and journalists’ organizations in many countries" who offered support publicly and behind the scenes.