Hahn to build on her TV experience<\/p>\n
Jim Read, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Before considering her reply, Talk Asia host Lorraine Hahn leaned
\nback in a sofa at Scusa restaurant and bar, Hotel InterContinental
\nMidPlaza, Central Jakarta, when asked what were her strongest
\nimpressions of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The richness and diversity of the culture is something that
\nI've noticed here to a much greater degree than in some other
\ncountries of the region,\" she said. Coming from such a seasoned
\ntraveler, that was indeed an interesting and perceptive comment.<\/p>\n
Hahn was here at the end of last week as a specially invited
\nmember of a jury. She, along with well-known local figures
\nArswendo and Mien Uno, adjudicated in the grand final of
\nIndonesian Star, a reality TV show that has been searching for
\ntalented TV presenters.<\/p>\n
The program was transmitted by Metro TV on Friday, Oct. 8.<\/p>\n
Hahn is best known these days as the presenter\/interviewer on
\nCNN International's weekly chat show, Talk Asia, which focuses on
\npersonalities who have made a major contribution to some aspect
\nof life in the Asia-Pacific region, or famous names who may be
\npassing through.<\/p>\n
She has made several work-related trips to Jakarta, as well as
\na few to Bali for relaxation. Her views, therefore, on the
\ncountry are driven by vivid memories and images -- of the kind
\nthat expatriates tend to forget about after a prolonged stay
\nhere.<\/p>\n
Like many that have reached a position of prominence in TV
\njournalism, Hahn did not train originally as a journalist. Born
\nin Singapore, she emigrated to Canada in 1979, and holds a
\nbachelor's degree in business and English literature from the
\nUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver.<\/p>\n
She also speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay and French, but may
\nbe best remembered on Talk Asia for something that works in any
\nlanguage -- her hearty, infectious laugh, which seems to put both
\nviewers and guests at their ease.<\/p>\n
\"Quite often, the first time I meet the guest is when we're
\nboth being `miked up', just before the recording commences,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The relaxed rapport she achieves with her guests may be partly
\nattributable to the fact that they are not told beforehand what
\nthe questions will be.<\/p>\n
This means, Hahn says, that they have no chance to worry about
\ntheir replies, and have no opportunity to try and influence the
\n\"agenda\" of the interview.<\/p>\n
Hahn cut her journalist's teeth with Hong Kong's only
\ncommercial radio station, the Commercial Broadcasting
\nCorporation.<\/p>\n
She says radio is a superb training ground for developing and
\nhoning both communication and presentation skills.<\/p>\n
\"You may have only three sentences on air in which to get the
\ngist of an entire story across, so you are forced to be concise,
\naccurate and interesting.\"<\/p>\n
Prior to joining CNBC in March 1995, Hahn worked as a senior
\nproducer and anchor in Hong Kong for TVB (Television Broadcasts
\nLtd), where she developed the station's first English-language
\nbusiness program, focusing on China.<\/p>\n
She vividly remembers going to what she refers to as \"the most
\nout-of-the-way places\" to cover business stories in what were
\nthen remote parts of China.<\/p>\n
That all happened in the early stages of an economic
\nrevolution that has already turned the country into one of the
\nworld's powerhouses.<\/p>\n
Hahn came to more widespread prominence between 1998 and 2000
\nas the anchor of CNN's Biz Asia, which has become the longest-
\nrunning global TV program focusing on Asian business news. In
\n1999 she was named \"Highly Commended News Presenter\/Anchor\" at
\nthe Asian TV Awards.<\/p>\n
She has been based in Hong Kong for 18 years, and always
\nenjoys being able to relax in her apartment on Hong Kong Island,
\nalong with her three Pekinese dogs.<\/p>\n
\"It's so convenient there\", she says, referring to the ease of
\ntraveling in and out of the territory via the relatively new,
\nultra-efficient Chek Lap Kok Airport, and the facilities on hand
\nonce there.<\/p>\n
She keeps fit by playing squash regularly and is a member of
\nthe Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, one of the few institutions that
\nretains the term \"Royal\" in its title, she remarks, pointedly.<\/p>\n
She was also involved in CNBC's coverage of the historic
\nhandover of authority from British to Chinese administration in
\nJune 1997.<\/p>\n
On Talk Asia, Hahn says that the aim is not simply to showcase
\nworld-famous personalities -- although plenty of those have been
\non the show, including the most recent guest, tennis champ Roger
\nFederer.<\/p>\n
Rather, it is to focus on people who, in their own quiet and
\npersistent way, have made valuable contributions, for example,
\ntoward the recognition of human rights in oppressive regimes, or
\nsustainable environmental development.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, the interview, which is often recorded in a single
\ntake, touches a raw nerve; hard-nosed politicians have been known
\nto shed a tear upon reminiscing about an aspect of their past
\nthat has a special significance for them.<\/p>\n
Hahn already has seven or eight interviews \"in the can\" and is
\nlooking forward to doing many more. Upcoming guests include
\nsinger\/songwriter Sir Elton John and actor\/director Sylvia Chang.<\/p>\n
Technically, she is an \"independent contractor\" as opposed to
\na member of CNN's full-time staff, an arrangement that gives her
\nthe freedom that a freelance operator can enjoy.<\/p>\n
She would very much like to develop her own chat show --
\nsomething along the lines of Oprah Winfrey's program, but to be
\naired on terrestrial TV rather than cable -- to which \"ordinary\"
\npeople would have access, as many viewers, at present, are not
\ncable subscribers.<\/p>\n
To start a completely new program in today's cutthroat world
\nof 24-hour TV is no easy task, but Hahn is realistic about the
\nchallenge. She hopes to record a pilot program early next year
\nand to hawk it to potential backers.<\/p>\n
Despite her long and distinguished career in TV, Hahn could
\nnever be accused of complacency.<\/p>\n
\"I always tell newcomers and would-be entrants that there is
\nno substitute for sheer hard work and professionalism at all
\ntimes. There's always something new to learn, which makes it such
\nan interesting job in the first place,\" she says.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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