Txell Feixas: "What happens is as important as how we explain what happens"

"The main lesson I learned as a Middle East correspondent is that it is important to listen before talking, and especially to never prejudge."

"You realise you are wired one way and that you must deconstruct yourself, open up and learn every day."

"Fascism has always wanted us to be uniform, the same."

Journalist Txell Feixas (BA in Journalism, Alumni UAB) has spent the past ten years as a correspondent in the Middle East for TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio (3Cat). She has covered the war in Syria, the conflict in Iraq, the fall of the Islamic State, the Great March of Return demonstrations at the Gaza border, and the return of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In 2021, she debuted with her first book Dones valentes (Ara Llibres), and in 2023, she presented Aliades. Les nenes de Xatila desafien les regles del joc (Ara Llibres). Among the many awards she has reveiced are the National Prize for Journalism and Media from the Government of Catalonia, and the Montserrat Roig Jury Prize from the Barcelona City Council.

-In your inaugural lecture you alerted of an alarming global regression in democracy. What are the symptoms of this?

One of the symptoms of this undoubtedly is what has led us here today, which is the concept "Unidiversity". We take diversity for granted: it is a reality, it is non-negotiable, it cannot be discussed. We are not talking about a trend or a quota. But we find that this consensus is being persecuted and, sometimes, beaten. And that is due to far-right politics and hate speech.

This is the hand of fascism; it has always wanted us uniform, the same. For me it is the greatest attack on what makes us plural as a society, what makes us democratic. This is now at risk and we must defend it starting from here, from the lecture halls, universities, and of course from the media, because we are the ones with the power to explain this reality that they are trying to unify.

-Are you also referring to the fact that some democratic governments in the West are limiting these rights?

Yes, and we do not have to look far to see this reality. We often speak of Trump and other governments and what they do, but this is happening here too, with far-right and very conservative discourses, and even left-wing governments that implement cutbacks that were unimaginable before. We must be very alert because very basic human rights that we take for granted are being lost at a very alarming rate and, what is worse, many people do not realise it.

-What would you say to students so they can accept diversity as a richness and not a threat?

I would tell them diversity is not something optional. We cannot think of a world that is not diverse, because it is; it exists and we must embrace it if what we really want is to explain the world as it is. Now, if what we want is to tell our story, or become journalists that only talk of a specific side of a story, without giving a chance to the other side, then making the world non-diverse becomes a real option. However, that would never make you a good journalist or a good professional.

-In the inaugural lecture you mentioned that what is at stake is not only who has political power, but who has the power to define it. Are we in a war of versions?

Yes, we often think that we must be in tune with reality, but that is not always so. Today, what happens is as important as how we explain what happens. We are in a war on how this reality is being explained to us and, therefore, the media and journalists are vital because in some ways we are the ones that define and create it. 

-How should journalism be taught at university then? What key aspects must there be to ensure diversity?

For me diversity at university goes beyond offering a specific class on this subject. It must be something cross-curricular that can penetrate all aspects of one's university studies. But it also has to do with access to university. If all students entering university are from a specific social class, race, origin, etc. there is an imbalance from the start. 

Therefore, on the one hand we must acknowledge the importance of diversity, and on the other hand, acknowledge the importance of guaranteeing plurality in university access.

-What personal and professional conclusions have you reached after tedn years of being a correspondent in the Middle East? 

The main lesson I learned as a Middle East correspondent, without a doubt, is that it is important to listen before talking, because very often journalists like to talk a lot and we do not do enough active listening. But maybe even more importantly, is never to prejudge. All these years away from home have been like (metaphorical) blows to the head and there were many embarassing moments. You realise you are wired one way and that you must deconstruct yourself precisely to be able to accept the diversity existing around you, and not think that your way is the right way.

Therefore, it is also a lesson in modesty and creation by learning, unlearning and thinking that we must be open to inputs that help make us better persons and journalists, which in the end is more or less the same.

-In the inaugural speech you also paid tribute to the Palestinian people and particularly to your fellow journalists, many of whom died in the war.

Yes. Hannah Arendt said that the goal of genocide is to annihilate diversity, which is what makes us humans. And that is why I wanted to talk of Palestine and particularly of the diversity of viewpoints shared with us by the journalists. In a reality in which they risk their lives every day. Thanks to these viewpoints, we know what is happening in this Palestinian enclave. That is why I wanted to pay tribute to them. Just think that being able to see, hear or read about what is happening has already cost the lives of 250 professionals.

-You are risking your life as a war zone correspondent, and you will soon return. Aren't you afraid?

There is always some fear when you travel to cover a story, and that's healthy because sometimes it is what saves your life. It is a thermometre that helps you gauge whether to advance or not, and which decision to make.

Actually, you are more afraid of what will happen to those you leave behind. We are the lucky ones in fact. We enter a country with our passports, visas and security teams, knowing that we will return to a home, family, friends, psychologists if necessary, etc. But the people who confide in us must remain there and many times you never know what happens to them. So, ours must be just the right amount of fear and from a place of absolute privilege.

 

Related news: The UAB inaugurates the 2025/26 academic year by championing diversity