Elena Becatoros has worked as the Southeast Europe bureau chief for the Associated Press, based in Athens, since mid-2007 after stints in London and New York. She has focused on covering the Greek financial crisis for the last five years, with assignments further afield when time permits. Becatoros began her foreign reporting career as an intern at the AP’s Athens bureau in 1997.
Hometown: London and Athens (I grew up in both, and both are equally home).
Education: I have an MA in literature, University of London.
Languages: I am trilingual in English, Greek and French. Get by in Spanish. Struggling to learn Arabic.
First job in journalism: The English-language section of a local news agency in Athens, and freelancing for a UK weekly athletics magazine.
Countries reported from: Greece, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia (but after the war), Belgium, China, Turkey, Cyprus, Russia, Israel, U.K., U.S., Italy, Germany and France.
Year you joined the OPC: 2002 (I think. Possibly 2003).
What drew you to international reporting?: I always get restless after spending a while in one place, and knew as soon as I became a reporter that it was the international side of things I was drawn to. I was hired by AP after spending a couple of months as an intern and was sent to Albania almost immediately. I was hooked from day one.
Major challenge as a journalist: Knowing that you’re only ever as good as your last byline.
Best journalism advice received: Be where others are not. And always be prepared for equipment failures.
Worst experience as a journalist: Losing friends.
When traveling, you like to … read. I rarely seem to have time to read any more unless I’m on a plane, train or ferry.
Hardest story: All told, probably the Greek crisis. It’s been fascinating but relentless and frequently dispiriting, and there is no end in sight.
Journalism heroes: The local journalists who report on conflict and crisis in their home countries. Few things are harder to do when every event you cover affects you and the lives of your family and friends. There’s no end to the assignment for them, they don’t get to go home somewhere where they don’t risk imprisonment or death.
Advice for journalists who want to work overseas: Don’t be discouraged by those who say you won’t make it. But equally, don’t try to be a hero and go running into a place like, say, Syria, without any backup or plan thinking you’ll make a name for yourself. You might, but it’s unlikely to be for the right reasons and the chances of you not returning in one piece are high.
Dream job: Roving correspondent.
Favorite quote: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Place you’re most eager to visit: Peru, Bolivia and Cambodia.
Most over-the-top assignment: The coverage of an underwater dance performance while scuba diving off Cape Sounio in Greece. Definitely one of the most amusing assignments.
Country you most want to return to: Pakistan.
Twitter handle: @ElenaBec
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