The view from NOLA to the delta

NEW ORLEANS -- It's no secret, "The Big Easy" is one of America's most coveted and vibrant cultures and we are delighted to be starting a news operation here.
 
Our team here is chock full of energy and experience. We will cover the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the pan handle of Florida. The Gulf coast region is rich in human stories, environmental concerns, extreme weather and culture. Personally, I have been covering stories here for years. From Hurricane Katrina and other storms to the 2010 Gulf oil spill, flooding along the Mississippi River, poverty in the Delta and so much more.
 
Before joining Al Jazeera America as a correspondent I was a certified "jack of all trades" at the Associated Press and lived in Chicago and Atlanta. I spent most of my time on the road, covering any story that broke and enterprising human interest angles in between. As a trained photographer and videographer I often look for the most visual stories to report on, those that involve people who have something to say or tell.
 
As a journalist who has reported around the globe, I have always sought to be on the front lines, as close to where the story is happening as possible. For me, if I can gain the trust of people in the elements then I will be able to provide the best service to them and the public in telling a fact-based story.
 
Since early this summer we have been out and about our region meeting people, telling powerful and meaningful stories that need a venue. One example is our recent coverage from the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest areas in America. There are dozens of untold stories with thousands of ignored voices there. I am happy to report our team is changing that.
 
Since joining Al Jazeera America I have been consistently amazed at how true our network is staying to the mission. Every day I am humbled and amazed at the amount of raw talent and intelligence within the network.
 
We are about real stories that are not being told my the mass media. Many of our reports will open your eyes, ears and thoughts to issues that perhaps you did not know existed. If you turn on other television news organizations you often hear glossed-over presenters and pundits purposely arguing and shouting for the cameras, you may see half-baked stories where you are left wondering or even asking, "Who cares?"
 
You see, we are here to change that and we are not naive to how challenging it's going to be. As a fan of American football I often keep a very specific formation in my head when I am out in the field and covering a story. The formation is the 46 defense. The theory is to apply so much pressure on the offense from so many different angles that it has absolutely no solution to stop the surge.
 
Here's my point: this is how I strive to report and I urge you all to tune in on Aug. 20. As for the competition, we have none, we are the new paradigm in television news.

-- Robert Ray,
Al Jazeera America New Orleans correspondent