KUCHING: In conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day 2022, New Sarawak Tribune talked to three second generation journalists and found out that indeed, the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Lynch Cowan Robert Kenneth, 26, a broadcast journalist with Astro Awani (Sarawak), has been a journalist for four years now.
“I was inspired by my dad to take up journalism. When I was in high school, I used to follow my dad, who was a feature writer for The Star at the time, during the weekends when he did his human-interest stories.
“He interviewed residents in the rural areas who faced challenges in their lives. My dad’s stories helped them to solve their problems. That was why I found journalism an interesting job.
“By following my dad around, I was able to learn new things and gain new perspectives. That was why I decided to pursue a programme in media in university,” Lynch added.
Lynch hopes to go into corporate communication some day.
“My dad tried corporate communication but as the head of the family and a father of five, he decided to prioritise his responsibilities and take good care of us.”
Meanwhile, Mahathir Mohammad Haroun, 38, a sub-editor wih Utusan Borneo, has been in the media industry for 14 years.
“I started as a cadet reporter in 2008 with Utusan Borneo and initially, I struggled a lot.
“At the time, I was interested in graphic design. Actually, I have a certificate from Xpertx Training Centre which I received in 2005 but it was hard to find a permanent job in that field back then. So my father convinced me to have a go at journalism,” he said.
When asked whether he was directly inspired by his dad to become a journalist, he said no.
“When I became a journalist, my dad was not a direct mentor to me but he would watch me from afar by asking my seniors around me to look after me and guide me in the field.
“ Like my dad, I want to help new reporters as much as I can and guide them in the industry,” Mahathir replied.
Sarah Hafizah Chandra, 25, Deputy Chief Reporter of New Sarawak Tribune, has been a journalist for almost two years.
Both her parents were former journalists but she said she was inspired more by her dad.
“When I was still studying in the university, I did not want to be a journalist but joining New Sarawak Tribune as an intern for three months back in 2020 changed my mind.
“ I found out that I loved seeing my stories and my bylines in the pages and I was inspired by a former colleague whose news and bylines were on almost all the pages of the newspaper.
“I have always admired how he knows so many people and has a large contact book due to it.
“He told me I should make the most of my meetings with people and get to know new people when I am out and about as a journalist,” she revealed.
“I have been told by many people who know my parents that I got the urge to be a journalist from them but honestly speaking I find it scary when people compare me to my parents and expect me to do great things.
“I would like to make something out of myself from my own hard work,” she said
