OPINIONS
Doing all we can for MH370
Throughout my whole career, this has to be the story that I have spent the most intense time covering.
Yes, you guessed it. The tragedy of MH370. From day right up to day 26, I have been at the forefront.
I was there reporting almost every aspect from the press conferences to the families of the passengers in Malaysia, right up to the search operations in Australia and the Indian Ocean.
And in that whole month, I was practically working non-stop with only one weekend off. And let's not even talk about the recent two weeks in Perth, Australia, where I was literally working solid 16 hour days everyday.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I love what I do and I wouldn't give up my 13 year career for anything. And as a journalist, you automatically just want to be in the thick of the action anyway.
But sometimes it makes me wonder. Many of the stories I've covered intensely have been about negative issues like conflict, social ills and tragedy. And I get so excited whenever I'm involved in these stories.
Does this mean that I actually derive joy from the sufferings of others? Am I a blood sucking vampire that leeches on to others so I can fill my own pleasure? Is this right?
I know many people would say that it is a journalist's job and responsibility to tell the people of the world of what is happening so they can be better informed and aware. I tell myself that too. But sometimes I'm not easily convinced.
I was honestly excited to be able to update the latest information from all the MH370 related press conference to the public that I was practically shaking with exhilaration. So I am getting my fix from all of this.
But then every now and again, a story you do will jump out at you and just pull you back to the ground. It will make you realise why you are doing it in the first place and it isn't all about your own feelings.
An Astro AWANI viewer, Nur Mawarni, had contacted the newsroom because her husband is in the Royal Malaysian Navy and has been out on the ship for the as long as MH370 has gone missing.
Leftenan Fairul Sham Suhardi Zailis is the Navigational Officer on the navy's vessel KD Lekiu which has arrived in Perth, Australia, and is due out in the search area in the Indian Ocean today.
I, along with cameraman Sujenthiran, managed to catch a hold of him a day before his ship was to set sail and we passed on the message that his wife and family misses him but is extremely proud of him.
Of course, as any man would be, he was overjoyed. And he also reminded his wife and the rest of Malaysia to be patient and to pray for all the personnel's safety so they can find a positive sign of MH370.
This story had grounded me and it made me re-realise the enormity of the tragedy and how so many people from so many countries are sacrificing their own needs and pulling together in an effort to search and rescue MH370.
It makes me as a journalist want to strive to do the best in what I do so that in whatever small part it plays, will hopefully contribute to the efforts positively as well.
We feel for the families of the passengers, the families of those who are out searching and of course for the passengers themselves. Whatever if it is, people are doing everything they can.
Yes, you guessed it. The tragedy of MH370. From day right up to day 26, I have been at the forefront.
I was there reporting almost every aspect from the press conferences to the families of the passengers in Malaysia, right up to the search operations in Australia and the Indian Ocean.
And in that whole month, I was practically working non-stop with only one weekend off. And let's not even talk about the recent two weeks in Perth, Australia, where I was literally working solid 16 hour days everyday.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I love what I do and I wouldn't give up my 13 year career for anything. And as a journalist, you automatically just want to be in the thick of the action anyway.
But sometimes it makes me wonder. Many of the stories I've covered intensely have been about negative issues like conflict, social ills and tragedy. And I get so excited whenever I'm involved in these stories.
Does this mean that I actually derive joy from the sufferings of others? Am I a blood sucking vampire that leeches on to others so I can fill my own pleasure? Is this right?
I know many people would say that it is a journalist's job and responsibility to tell the people of the world of what is happening so they can be better informed and aware. I tell myself that too. But sometimes I'm not easily convinced.
I was honestly excited to be able to update the latest information from all the MH370 related press conference to the public that I was practically shaking with exhilaration. So I am getting my fix from all of this.
But then every now and again, a story you do will jump out at you and just pull you back to the ground. It will make you realise why you are doing it in the first place and it isn't all about your own feelings.
An Astro AWANI viewer, Nur Mawarni, had contacted the newsroom because her husband is in the Royal Malaysian Navy and has been out on the ship for the as long as MH370 has gone missing.
Leftenan Fairul Sham Suhardi Zailis is the Navigational Officer on the navy's vessel KD Lekiu which has arrived in Perth, Australia, and is due out in the search area in the Indian Ocean today.
I, along with cameraman Sujenthiran, managed to catch a hold of him a day before his ship was to set sail and we passed on the message that his wife and family misses him but is extremely proud of him.
Of course, as any man would be, he was overjoyed. And he also reminded his wife and the rest of Malaysia to be patient and to pray for all the personnel's safety so they can find a positive sign of MH370.
This story had grounded me and it made me re-realise the enormity of the tragedy and how so many people from so many countries are sacrificing their own needs and pulling together in an effort to search and rescue MH370.
It makes me as a journalist want to strive to do the best in what I do so that in whatever small part it plays, will hopefully contribute to the efforts positively as well.
We feel for the families of the passengers, the families of those who are out searching and of course for the passengers themselves. Whatever if it is, people are doing everything they can.