Your daily dose of news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Your daily dose of news

Hindustan Times | ByVimal Chander Joshi, New Delhi
May 27, 2009 02:50 PM IST

A career in the television industry requires a lot of legwork but a new story unfolds every day and there is no room for boredom. Here's Suhasini Haidar in conversation with Vimal Chander Joshi.

When Suhasini Haidar was doing her Bachelor's in statistics from Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College, she had no idea that she'd become

HT Image
HT Image

A day in the life

10.00 am: Goes to work

10.30 am: Plans the day, reads newspapers and works on ideas

11.30 am: Calls various sources and getsupdates on different issues and to know the real story

1.30-2.00 pm: lunch time

2.00 pm: Fixes up the guest list for those invited on her shows

6.00 pm: Files stories whenever needed

a journalist. A bit of "friendly" assistance to a documentary filmmaker in the final year of college got her career set on a different track altogether. During those film shoots, she realised electronic media suited her. The same year, she went to study for a Masters in journalism from Boston University, which landed her a job with CNN, New York.

Now working with CNN-IBN as a deputy foreign editor, she still reports on international and political news like any cub reporter. “One has to report and file stories even if you are at a senior position. Though I have grown in terms of designation in the last 15 years, but the nature of work is more or less still the same,” she says.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.
Life is replete with excitement and surprises for her almost every day. At the same time, it's "dusty" owing to a lot of legwork involved in the profession. A new story every day and the adrenaline which flows keeps her going. There is no room for boredom. One day, it's the electoral churning and upheaval after the Lok Sabha elections and the next day it's the big story on LTTE’s Prabhakaran.

Industry overview

The Indian media and entertainment industry stood at Rs 584 billion in 2008, a growth of 12.4 per cent over the previous year. Over the next five years, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5 percent to reach Rs 1052 billion by 2013, a FICCI & KPMG report on the sector says Advertising spends grew at CAGR of 17.1 per cent in the past three years. Going forward, it is expected to exhibit a robust growth rate at CAGR of 12.4 percent over the next five years

Regular updating and reading on different topics is a vital cornerstone in Suhasini's normal day. “It's very important to stay abreast of national and international issues both,” she says.

When she started her career in 1994, she sometimes used to miss stories. “One has to be at the right place at the right time. With so many news channels opening, one has to survive the fierce competition with agility,” she adds.

The profession is meant for extremely dynamic people who are mentally and physically tough. Haidar has exhibited these traits on several occasions – reporting on Kashmir militancy in July 2000, on 9/11 in 2001 and while covering the Lebanon firings in 2006. She broke her arm in Kashmir – but is undaunted. “One can get unsafe anywhere,” she reasons.

Having reported on Pakistan's political scene for long, she has been witness to several developments in our neighbouring country – from Benazir Bhutto's assassination to Musharraf's stepping down as the president. She also has preferences... Going out of Delhi to “dig out new and interesting stories.”

When Haidar was sent to Lebanon three years ago she was given just half-an-hour to make the necessary travel arrangement before boarding a strictly-for-males Indian Navy warship. Despite all these challenges, there is also some good “news” for female budding journalists. “Being a woman, the people I approach are not usually rude to me. Female journalists get easy access everywhere,” she declares.

A famous face on national television, Haidar says she has never been mobbed – strange, as she is quite the head turner.

Get your Training here:
Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune
Tel: (20) 2663 4511/12/13 Course: Master of Mass Communication (MMC) Audio and Visual Production Cost: Open Category: 1st instalment: Rs 1,50,000, 2nd instalment: Rs 1,50,000
Web site: www.simc.edu

Xavier’s Institute of Communication, Mumbai
Tel: 2262-1366 , 2262-1639, 2262-2877 Course: Diploma or Certificate course in Mass Communication
Cost: Not available
Web site: www.xaviercomm.org

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 2024 Live , CBSE Board Exam 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On