Assalamualaikum,I am Asmah. My sister Surena started this blog and had requested if Syeliza or myself would pour in our experiences as news journalist. Well, here goes...
"Masa tak kuah tumpah ke nasi?" Its a old Malay saying which literally means, "where would the gravies pour unto if not unto the rice itself?". Hmmm.. sounds kinda funny but that may well describes me best.
It has never once cross my mind to be a journalist. I had prepared myself to pursue a Diploma course in Computer Studies majoring in Business, and had dreamed of being a software programmer of some sorts, or maybe a computer hackers perhaps - that would be fun!
Anyway, a little about myself. I am not one that could be taken seriously, for I am kind of a dreamer and besides, I am more of the reserved type compared to my other sisters, who seemed to know exactly where they are heading and what exactly they need to achieve.When my father decided to send me to Kuala Lumpur to pursue a Broadcast Journalism programme, I just sort of go with the flow, indecisive as I was then. But it was from there-on that I started to develop an interest in journalism, though amidst the "growing" interest, I was still uncertain of taking journalist a step further, as a serious career path. Actually, as reluctant as I would like to admit, it was for the sake of my beloved dad that I took up the challenge intially and assist my dad in supply news to TV3 as state correspondent.
As time went by, I must now admit I had enjoyed every bit of experience, trials and tribulations being a junior journalist, then in 2001. It was an intellectual yet emotionally enriched experience. Not only that, I get to meet with all levels of people from many levels of societal status - from downright humble fishermen to political leaders in this world (though I never get to met George Bush yet!)...
Being a junior journalist then, I remembered fearing the times when I got back from an assignment. And this would just have to be the time when I should be writing my scripts, match it to the relevant soundbite, which is a small portion of an interview, or to some, this refers to as SOT (Sound on Tape), record the time-code and get my dad to record it from the Master Tape to another tape, which would be sent to KL, in time for the next news updates.
By nature, I am rather a slow-poke and with my dad being impatient and totally moody (sorry dad!) to get things done, it sort of made me panic twice more. And up till now, I have no idea if the "fast-mode" my dad gears in at that moment was to perk me up or just a way for him to purposely stressed my senses blind. In his exact words, he would say, "Cepat cari SOT, Bapak nak edit! Slow benar juak eh!" ("Hurry up! Find the SOT! I need to edit them fast. Why are you so slow!!" - he would exclaimed these in the most exasperated manner which completely turns my fingers to jellies). But I knew that my dad meant well as he was very strict on quality news scripts and visuals. Very soon I realised the true meaning of "Productivity and Quality". And it was this two elements of sorts that counts in the challenging and competitive News Broadcasting world. Not a minute to be spared if you want your material to be News material.
Besides my dad, the News General, I owe a lot to my sister Syeliza who has helped me in many ways & many times too. She was my sifu, my mentor. She would check my scripts, and to my dismay and annoyance, she would change every single words in my "Intro". Annoyed as I was, I know that it was from such sincere criticisms that helped me learn so much. She did not blatantly "put me down" on my efforts but she was giving showing and teaching me the ropes to succeed.Sadly, at this point in time, at 2.47pm 4th of July 2008 I miss all that. I miss all the havoc, running helter-skelter with tapes, scripts, cables (ya cables) and mostly dodging fireballs from fierce-unpredictable-moody daddy. And I miss the feeling to challenge my sister, Syeliza in everything we do. Though I knew it was hard to out-beat her, I just have to do it to make up for her being an annoyance at times. But, in actual fact, I truly envied her and her brilliant ideas, her energy, her motivations. She is like everything I wanted to become. Maybe one day...
Today, as Bernama TV, State Correspondent, and working on a one-man-show the loneliness creeps in when I recall the chaotic moments with Syeliza and my dad. Nevertheless, life has to go on and it is not all that bad. I still have a tight circle of journalist friends, some of whom I have known for so long. They are also family to me now and though life has its funny twists and turns, I hope to do the best I could to serve with the responsibilities entrusted to me. May Allah guide me in my worldly ventures towards a more permanent rewards hereafter.Hopefully, in time I would find moments to blog here on just about any memorable times I had with fellow journalist on news coverages, I covered for Sarawak. And I hope also Syeliza will contribute equally her experience too...
