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.