NEWSGATHERING AND WRITING | ASSESSMENT #2

Remar: A Journalist’s Lifestyle in Malaysia

 

“A former lecturer of mine used to tell me that ‘the role of a journalist is always to protect the people' and that has been my main drive every day,” said Remar Bin Nordin, a brilliant 31-year-old journalist from The Star. Remar often travels to courts, five-star hotels, and even on boats chasing illegal immigrants to write stories for us Malaysians. During the COVID-19 situation, he shares experiences with the patients, the doctors, and other authorities telling their stories. Not to mention the volunteers, outcomes of the pandemic, and how Malaysians as a whole rise from it as well.  As a journalist, he holds valuable information and delivers them to the public.

 

Upon being asked about life as a Malaysian journalist, he mentioned how social media had given birth to ‘surface information readers’ or ‘headline judge’ where people jump to early conclusions before reading the entire story or news. As one of the ways The Star has countered this problem, Remar reassured how the news organization is taking measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the news while adapting to modern journalism. “Every news agency nowadays has its social media. It has developed journalism in a way where the audience can get accurate information faster from credible sources,” he explained. 

 

He also expressed that good journalists are good listeners who can keep information for themselves, especially when they involve secrecy. He revealed that journalists must be sharp in differentiating between what is good for the public to know and what is better to be kept under the rug. Additionally, they should keep a phonebook of the source and never share them with other media agencies.

 

When it comes to interviewing people, Remar never feels hesitant to ask uncomfortable questions. “Most of the time, you will need to ask the person's permission first. If they refuse to answer, the story will still go on, and if they agree to answer, that will be a ‘bonus’ for a longer story,” he answered. Remar is a self-driven journalist who knows what he wants but never neglects how his sources wanted their story to be told. He then molds both information together in a way to protect the interviewee as well as to bring benefit to the public. Usually, his editor will give him the topic and the ideas on the story, and he will use his creativity to write the piece while retrieving information on the story. Another one of his go-to strategies would be to never go empty-handed into an interview. Remar always does a little bit of research on the interviewee beforehand as well as the situation before facing them and writing them.

 

Writers interested to work for The Star can start by being news contributors. “Send your stories for The Star to publish online, and do not expect a payment,” hinted Remar. “From there, apply for a part-time writer position if they are not hiring any permanent post.” He assured how you will be able to see the flow of the news from how it is being produced from drafts until it is printed on paper. Those living near Petaling Jaya will have the opportunity to learn more about the industry and the competitors, as it is located at the Head Quarters. Nevertheless, Remar also highly recommends applying for part-time in the other states as well.

 

“The reality of being a journalist is that it is a job filled with everyday challenges. It is not for those who are emotionally and mentally weak. Some adversaries need to be dealt with every day, and sometimes you will lose,” admitted Remar. However, despite these obstacles, he truly believes that anyone with strong determination and patience can surely overcome them. 

 

“It is also not a high-paying job, but it can take you everywhere, know what others do not know, befriend with the ministers and VIPs, travel for free, and be the bearer of information from the authority,”

“And most importantly, you are the voice of the people," quoted Remar.

 

I think the interview was a success due to the many very insightful information and advice that would be beneficial, especially for journalism students. I learned that they are like storytellers by giving voice to the voiceless while at the same time protecting them, which I find beautiful and impressive. Talking to Remar made me appreciate journalists more because I now know how much effort they put into the stories they write to tell them to the world.

Proof of Interview