A foreign correspondent's unfamiliarity with a local language and customs can hinder their ability to grasp subtle cultural nuances, even for seasoned journalists. Fixers, often fellow journalists with extensive knowledge of the culture and language, can help bridge this gap, serving as guides and sounding boards to detect potential wrongdoing.
Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi
An Afghan fixer, 24-year-old Ajmal Naqshbandi, was taken captive by the Taliban in 2007, accompanied by an Italian journalist.
