Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Languages
Websites
Visa details
References
Timeline
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Binsal Abdulkader

Abu Dhabi

Summary

A journalist with 22 years of experience, Binsal Abdulkader has been covering politics, diplomatic affairs, climate change, economy and technology in the UAE. Currently serving as the Executive Editor at Emirates News Agency (WAM), he has done exclusive interviews with global leaders, including more than 30 heads/ deputy heads of state and government.

He was among 200 international journalists selected by the U.S. State Department's Foreign Press Centres for an eight-week long virtual tour of the US Presidential election process in 2020. He was also among a dozen journalists from media outlets across the globe, who attended "the First 100 Days Reporting Programme," (of the Biden administration), run by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) in Washington, DC, in early 2021.

He has crafted compelling multimedia stories, including features and human interest stories.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Editor

Emirates News Agency (WAM)
Abu Dhabi
05.2019 - Current
  • Conduct exclusive interviews with high-profile officials, including heads of state and government, senior ministers, experts in various fields.
  • Produce multimedia content, including videos and social media packages, to complement news stories.
  • Edit and oversee news stories from WAM reporters and other agencies to ensure adherence to editorial standards.
  • Build and maintain relationships with government officials, foreign diplomats, and international organisations.

Senior Reporter

Gulf News
Abu Dhabi
06.2016 - 04.2019
  • Generated innovative story ideas that resonated with readership base.
  • Researched complex topics using a variety of sources including digital databases.
  • Gathered facts through fieldwork such as visiting sites or interviewing witnesses.
  • Served as a liaison between editors and writers to ensure deadlines were met.
  • Provided guidance to junior reporters on writing techniques and story development strategies.
  • Created maps, charts and graphs to illustrate data-driven stories.
  • Produced multimedia content such as videos, podcasts and photo galleries.
  • Created multimedia content such as videos and infographics.
  • Monitored social media platforms for relevant news updates.
  • Edited articles for accuracy, clarity, grammar, style, and syntax.
  • Submitted weekly progress reports on assigned projects to editors.
  • Investigated leads from anonymous tips or public records requests.
  • Collaborated with other reporters to cover breaking news stories quickly.

English Writer

Abu Dhabi Ports
Abu Dhabi
08.2015 - 05.2016

Wrote and edited content for internal and external communications, focusing on the company's projects and initiatives.

Staff Reporter

Gulf News
Abu Dhabi
05.2007 - 07.2015
  • Conducted exclusive interviews with global leaders, top officials and experts in various fields.
  • Covered significant events and issues, producing a wide range of exclusive stories and features.

Freelance Reporter

Khaleej Times
Dubai
03.2005 - 04.2007
  • Contributed reports to major publications such as Khaleej Times and Emirates Evening Post.

Sub-editor Cum Newsreader

Radio Asia
Ras Al Khaimah
02.2004 - 03.2007
  • Reported, edited, and presented news bulletins for a diverse audience.

Newsreader

All India Radio
01.2002 - 12.2003
  • Compiled, translated, and edited news stories for radio broadcasts.

Education

LLB - LAW

Faculty of Law, Delhi University
Delhi, India
06-2005

Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy

Calicut University
Kerala
06-1998

Skills

  • Content Development
  • Research
  • Fact-checking
  • Copy Editing
  • Breaking news experience
  • Deadline Management
  • Social Media Strategy
  • Staff Mentoring
  • Audience Engagement
  • Audience Analysis
  • SEO understanding
  • Developing community relationships

Affiliations

Toastmasters International

Accomplishments

  • Competent Communicator Award, Toastmasters International (2015)
  • Competent Leadership Award, Toastmasters International (2017)
  • Best Indian Journalist in the Middle East, Chiranthana Cultural Forum, Dubai (2018)
  • Multiple Gulf News Internal Editorial Awards for Best Story of the Month

Languages

Malayalam
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Intermediate (B1)
B1

Visa details

  • Holds 10-year UAE golden visa and U.S. B1B2 visa.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Executive Editor

Emirates News Agency (WAM)
05.2019 - Current

Senior Reporter

Gulf News
06.2016 - 04.2019

English Writer

Abu Dhabi Ports
08.2015 - 05.2016

Staff Reporter

Gulf News
05.2007 - 07.2015

Freelance Reporter

Khaleej Times
03.2005 - 04.2007

Sub-editor Cum Newsreader

Radio Asia
02.2004 - 03.2007

Newsreader

All India Radio
01.2002 - 12.2003

LLB - LAW

Faculty of Law, Delhi University

Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy

Calicut University
Binsal Abdulkader