For many of us, news anchors are a familiar face on our screens, but what goes into being a news anchor? What inspires them to pursue this career, and what challenges do they face? Sadaf Abdul Jabbar, a Pakistani news anchor, provides insight into her journey into broadcast journalism and how she balances personal research and social media to engage with her audience.
1. Have you always been attracted to journalism and media? When did you realize that a career as a media person was for you? Tell us how it all started.
Sadaf: I’ve always been familiar with politics as my parents used to discuss news and read the newspaper, so that environment was prevalent in our home. I never thought that I would pursue a career in broadcast journalism, but I did use to sit in front of a mirror and read out news from the paper.
2. Tell us about your educational background. To what extent do you think your education and academic degree have helped you in your career?
Sadaf: I have a master’s degree in English literature. I remember people making remarks that I could only become a lecturer or teacher, as there were few other options available in society for someone with a literature degree. Interestingly, the idea of becoming a lecturer was quite fascinating to me, but I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to pursue it. I have always loved literature and continue to do so. I believe it has given me an understanding of the human psyche, made me more humane, and provided me with perspective about life. Okay, I could go on about literature and never stop, but to answer your question, yes, being educated has given me more confidence and pragmatism.
3. Tell us about your family. Which city are you from, how many family members do you have, and how supportive is your family of your career and work? How important do you think family support is?
Sadaf: My family, especially my mother, has played a significant role in making me who I am today. She is my biggest supporter and harshest critic. I am from Karachi and have two sisters and a brother.
4. You have done news casting and anchoring of news shows. Which do you enjoy more and which do you find most challenging?
Sadaf: I have done news anchoring, TV show hosting, and on-field reporting, but I find TV show hosting the most challenging. The show you host becomes your identity and your product, and you need to strive hard to maintain it.
5. Sometimes listening to bad news can devastate our day. I am sure that reading bad news can also affect a news anchor. How do you cope with that?
Sadaf: Yes, our job looks fascinating, but in reality, it can be quite depressing. I can tell you about numerous incidents that have made me cry or upset me for many days. It is hard to break sad news to our viewers, and we are expected to remain calm and composed. That is what we are trained to do, but at the end of the day, we are also human. To get out of this depressing mood, I do things that I enjoy, such as going for a long drive, spending time with my family, cooking, reading, and, on my off days, I try my best to avoid the news.
6. How important do you think healthy competition is among fellow news anchors? Do you consider anyone as your professional rival?
Sadaf: Healthy competition is vital, but I wouldn’t call it rivalry. I would call it competition. Unless we have people good enough to compete with, we tend to become boring and mundane, and we start taking things lightly. This attitude never lets one grow. These days, I think that I am my own competition. I want to become a better person and a news show host than I was a year ago.
7. Do you like reading books? If so, what type of books? How important do you think personal research is for a news anchor?
Sadaf: I love reading novels, classic literature, history books, and political views. In my opinion, studying and personal research is crucial for a news anchor as it helps to develop a deep understanding of the subject matter. News media is all about research, new information, and detailed analysis, so it’s a fundamental part of the job. We cannot get a good sense of news unless we devour newspapers, watch talk shows, and conduct our own research. It helps us to gain a better understanding of the events happening around us and to present a well-rounded perspective to our audience.
8. We have seen some news anchors in Pakistan transitioning into modeling and acting. Have you been offered any such opportunities, and do you have any plans to pursue these fields?
Sadaf: I have not been offered any such projects yet, but I would definitely consider them if I do get an offer. Acting is a challenging profession that demands a great deal of expression and passion. It requires a lot of energy and liveliness, and if I feel like I have the necessary passion for it, I would love to explore this field in the future.
9. How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Sadaf: My personal style is trendy, bohemian, and simple.
10. With the increasing use of social media among Pakistani internet users, how much do you think it has affected our awareness, and how has it helped you in your profession?
Sadaf: Social media has had a tremendous impact on how we stay informed; we often learn about news stories first through social media rather than traditional media sources. In terms of my profession, social media has allowed me to connect with my audience on a more personal level. By being active on social media, I have gained a following of people interested in fashion and politics, and I can share my insights and opinions with them. However, I do find that Twitter in Pakistan is often overly politicized, and I try to avoid getting too caught up in that.
11. While selfies have replaced autographs in popularity, have you ever asked for an autograph? How did it feel when you gave your first autograph as a news anchor/media personality?
Sadaf: While people today often ask for selfies rather than autographs, I have given my fair share of autographs in the past. When I gave my first autograph as a news anchor, it was a proud moment for me. I felt like I was becoming famous and that all my hard work was paying off.
12. What is the most memorable news story you have reported on, and is there any news story you regretted reporting on?
Sadaf: There have been many incidents that have stayed with me over the years, from the Marriott bombing to the horrific incident of a mother and her children being burned alive in a slum. However, the one that stands out the most is the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar. During a show in which we were discussing the incident, a mother came up to me and told me that her son was too scared to go to school because he feared being killed like the other children. That moment was very emotional for me, and I had to take a break from the broadcast to collect myself.
13. What are your future plans?
Sadaf: In the future, I hope to have my own news show and to excel in the field of broadcast journalism.
14. What message would you like to give to your fans and the readers of MediaSpring PK?
Sadaf: I would like to encourage everyone to be more tolerant and to approach things with a positive attitude. We should avoid being judgmental and instead focus on living and letting live.
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