Veteran Solo Journalist, Haliza Hashim Links Two Continents
IPOH, June 14 (Bernama) -- "Haliza Hashim, TV3...London." That was the iconic sign off of TV3 news correspondent, Haliza Hashim who was the face connecting Malaysian viewers with major events in Europe for over 30 years.
In an era of increasingly advanced technology, this 60-year-old woman takes on the task of a versatile solo journalist who can double as a cameraman, interviewer, voice-over artist, scriptwriter, editor and presenter to make a complete and interesting report.
"More than three decades, as if I can't believe it, I'm still standing here, still reporting. As long as the television company needs me, I will be here and retire here," she said when met by Bernama in London, recently.
Recounting her career path, the Cardiff University economics graduate said she started at the TV3 News Room, Jalan Liku, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur in the early 1990s as a broadcast journalist for the news segment and Money Matters programme from February 1991 to January 1993 before making the bold decision to become a correspondent in London.
"I started by joining several international media associations, introducing myself to Malaysian government departments and agencies in London and building networks with key ministries here. Chasing deadlines and language barriers in European countries were among the major challenges faced.
"In the 90s, I hired a cameraman, rented an editing studio, sent visuals using satellite and sent text reports via fax to the newsroom. If you think about it, journalists are really lucky these days, they can write scripts and record visuals with smartphones."
Haliza said that with the development of technology, starting in 2013 she used a broadcast-quality video camera to record visuals and interviews, edit videos using applications on her laptop and send news using the latest system directly to the editor in the newsroom.
"As a solo journalist, sometimes I miss the intimacy with my colleagues, crew and the atmosphere of the newsroom. However, the advantages of working solo allow me to move more easily, quickly and save costs,' said the mother of two, aged 30 and 26.
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