Dr. Sajad H Kamarally
On August 19, 1971, I stepped into the newsroom of Bernama at Wisma Belia for the very first time. It marked the beginning of my journey into journalism — a profession that would eventually become a major part of my life.
The newsroom was spacious but strangely quiet and empty. Only two gentlemen occupied the room, each seated at opposite ends. One plump man was calmly reading a newspaper with a steaming hot drink beside him. He looked relaxed and completely at ease. The other man was busy cutting newspaper clippings with a pair of scissors.
Later, I learned that the man enjoying the drink was the Chief Sub-Editor, while the other was the News Editor.
Slowly and nervously, I approached the News Editor, greeted him, introduced myself, and explained why I was there. He did not even look up. He merely nodded his bald head.
Not knowing how to continue the conversation, I quietly moved away and sat at an empty table covered with newspapers.
Around lunchtime, reporters began streaming into the newsroom carrying notebooks in one hand and typewriters in the other. Presumably, they had returned from assignments and were preparing to file their stories.
As the day progressed, the newsroom became stuffy with cigarette smoke as reporters worked furiously around the room.
That same day, I was assigned to accompany a young reporter on a police assignment. We attended a crime press conference at a police station. I had never entered a police station before, so the entire experience felt both intimidating and fascinating.
After returning to the office, my mentor asked me to write my own story based on the press conference.
The problem was that I had absolutely no idea how to write a news report.
At that time, I honestly thought a “story” meant the kind of story a mother reads to a child before bedtime. The news was actually about a young boy who had died in an accident. But in an attempt to make it “interesting,” I invented details far beyond what the police officer had said and dramatically ended the piece with the boy’s death.
I thought I had done a fantastic job.
When I proudly handed the report to the bald News Editor, he simply smiled and said:
“Go home.”
I was shocked.
“Yes, I said go home and come back tomorrow!”
I stood there frightened and confused, unsure what to do. Nevertheless, I went home.
The next morning, I arrived early and found the editors already busy cutting newspaper clippings. Later, I learned that these clippings were used by reporters to develop follow-up stories.
The News Editor then called me over and spoke to me in a very fatherly manner. He explained that what I had written was not journalism. He advised me to go to the library and read, read, and read.
That was an extremely difficult day for me. I would describe it as my baptism of fire.
I could easily have quit, but thankfully I did not. Gradually, I adapted to the pace of newsroom life. With proper guidance and training, I eventually began producing exclusive stories that earned me my own byline in print.
Seeing my name published for the first time was absolutely thrilling.
My advice to young reporters is this: journalism is a highly rewarding and exciting profession, but you must be patient and genuinely love the work.
You must be willing to meet and talk to all kinds of people. Stay curious, keep yourself updated with current affairs, respect your news sources, and maintain good relationships with them.
Back in those days, we had no mobile phones — only landlines. It was challenging, but we managed.
Accuracy is essential in journalism. Speed is equally important. The faster you transmit your story, the better its impact and reception.
Above all, patience and resilience are the greatest qualities a reporter can possess. Do not lose heart if people scold you or chase you away while doing your job.
If you stay long enough in the profession, you will eventually discover the beauty and fulfillment of Journalism—as I did
Dr Sajad H Kamarally (sajadhk05@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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