Hahn to build on her TV experience
Hahn to build on her TV experience
Jim Read, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Before considering her reply, Talk Asia host Lorraine Hahn leaned
back in a sofa at Scusa restaurant and bar, Hotel InterContinental
MidPlaza, Central Jakarta, when asked what were her strongest
impressions of Indonesia.
"The richness and diversity of the culture is something that
I've noticed here to a much greater degree than in some other
countries of the region," she said. Coming from such a seasoned
traveler, that was indeed an interesting and perceptive comment.
Hahn was here at the end of last week as a specially invited
member of a jury. She, along with well-known local figures
Arswendo and Mien Uno, adjudicated in the grand final of
Indonesian Star, a reality TV show that has been searching for
talented TV presenters.
The program was transmitted by Metro TV on Friday, Oct. 8.
Hahn is best known these days as the presenter/interviewer on
CNN International's weekly chat show, Talk Asia, which focuses on
personalities who have made a major contribution to some aspect
of life in the Asia-Pacific region, or famous names who may be
passing through.
She has made several work-related trips to Jakarta, as well as
a few to Bali for relaxation. Her views, therefore, on the
country are driven by vivid memories and images -- of the kind
that expatriates tend to forget about after a prolonged stay
here.
Like many that have reached a position of prominence in TV
journalism, Hahn did not train originally as a journalist. Born
in Singapore, she emigrated to Canada in 1979, and holds a
bachelor's degree in business and English literature from the
University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
She also speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay and French, but may
be best remembered on Talk Asia for something that works in any
language -- her hearty, infectious laugh, which seems to put both
viewers and guests at their ease.
"Quite often, the first time I meet the guest is when we're
both being `miked up', just before the recording commences," she
said.
The relaxed rapport she achieves with her guests may be partly
attributable to the fact that they are not told beforehand what
the questions will be.
This means, Hahn says, that they have no chance to worry about
their replies, and have no opportunity to try and influence the
"agenda" of the interview.
Hahn cut her journalist's teeth with Hong Kong's only
commercial radio station, the Commercial Broadcasting
Corporation.
She says radio is a superb training ground for developing and
honing both communication and presentation skills.
"You may have only three sentences on air in which to get the
gist of an entire story across, so you are forced to be concise,
accurate and interesting."
Prior to joining CNBC in March 1995, Hahn worked as a senior
producer and anchor in Hong Kong for TVB (Television Broadcasts
Ltd), where she developed the station's first English-language
business program, focusing on China.
She vividly remembers going to what she refers to as "the most
out-of-the-way places" to cover business stories in what were
then remote parts of China.
That all happened in the early stages of an economic
revolution that has already turned the country into one of the
world's powerhouses.
Hahn came to more widespread prominence between 1998 and 2000
as the anchor of CNN's Biz Asia, which has become the longest-
running global TV program focusing on Asian business news. In
1999 she was named "Highly Commended News Presenter/Anchor" at
the Asian TV Awards.
She has been based in Hong Kong for 18 years, and always
enjoys being able to relax in her apartment on Hong Kong Island,
along with her three Pekinese dogs.
"It's so convenient there", she says, referring to the ease of
traveling in and out of the territory via the relatively new,
ultra-efficient Chek Lap Kok Airport, and the facilities on hand
once there.
She keeps fit by playing squash regularly and is a member of
the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, one of the few institutions that
retains the term "Royal" in its title, she remarks, pointedly.
She was also involved in CNBC's coverage of the historic
handover of authority from British to Chinese administration in
June 1997.
On Talk Asia, Hahn says that the aim is not simply to showcase
world-famous personalities -- although plenty of those have been
on the show, including the most recent guest, tennis champ Roger
Federer.
Rather, it is to focus on people who, in their own quiet and
persistent way, have made valuable contributions, for example,
toward the recognition of human rights in oppressive regimes, or
sustainable environmental development.
Sometimes, the interview, which is often recorded in a single
take, touches a raw nerve; hard-nosed politicians have been known
to shed a tear upon reminiscing about an aspect of their past
that has a special significance for them.
Hahn already has seven or eight interviews "in the can" and is
looking forward to doing many more. Upcoming guests include
singer/songwriter Sir Elton John and actor/director Sylvia Chang.
Technically, she is an "independent contractor" as opposed to
a member of CNN's full-time staff, an arrangement that gives her
the freedom that a freelance operator can enjoy.
She would very much like to develop her own chat show --
something along the lines of Oprah Winfrey's program, but to be
aired on terrestrial TV rather than cable -- to which "ordinary"
people would have access, as many viewers, at present, are not
cable subscribers.
To start a completely new program in today's cutthroat world
of 24-hour TV is no easy task, but Hahn is realistic about the
challenge. She hopes to record a pilot program early next year
and to hawk it to potential backers.
Despite her long and distinguished career in TV, Hahn could
never be accused of complacency.
"I always tell newcomers and would-be entrants that there is
no substitute for sheer hard work and professionalism at all
times. There's always something new to learn, which makes it such
an interesting job in the first place," she says.