Her desire to interact more with grassroots communities and be an advocate for issues affecting the most vulnerable in our community is what inspires 20-year-old Riya Bhagwan’s passion for journalism.
This young lady who is originally from Nadi is currently a second-year student at the University of the South Pacific studying journalism and social work.
Riya’s parents are both business-people who operate an electronics business based in Suva, Lautoka, and Nadi, apart from that, the family also runs a spice trade business as well.
Her earlier interactions with the news media came in the form of the daily newspapers she would skim through and the evening TV news bulletins that her parents would follow religiously.
However, other indirect factors from school and within her own family would ignite the flame of journalism within her.
According to Riya, her passion to pursue studies in journalism began when she was a Year 12 student in one of Nadi’s prominent secondary schools, Sangam SKM College.
“I wanted to go into IBM, International Business and Marketing, however, my experience taking part in public speaking as well as being given a leadership position in school, pushed me towards a more field-related job.”
“I could not imagine myself sitting in front of a computer for the entire day,” she said.
Inspiration for Riya also came in the form of her grandfather – Mr Bharat Morris, a former reporter who worked for the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation during its early days.
“My grandfather would always tell me stories about his journalism days, and he told me about how the work of a journalist is a 24-hour job.”
“So, to be able to face new challenges and adventures while doing the work that is important for the nation is what inspired me to enter this field.”
In reflecting on the two years, she has spent as part of the USP Journalism program so far, Riya emphasised how crucial it is for student journalists entering the mainstream to not only focus on theoretical knowledge but also be practical and independent thinkers.
“We tend to always carry around all these bulky notes, but how much of that knowledge is applied on the job is what matters.
“Also, after doing all the various practical assignments like writing stories, getting interviews from the field, and attending news conferences, I have started to love journalism even more.”
Riya revealed that the issue she would like to devote much of her time and energy towards when she eventually becomes a mainstream journalist is covering topics to do with women, children, and vulnerable communities in Fiji.
“I am drawn to these issues because I also study social work at USP and as a result, I have come to realise that we still have a long way to go in terms of achieving equality for women.”
“Investigative journalism is something I would like to get into, basically just to try and uncover what exactly are the hidden factors involved when it comes to some of our social issues and bring them to the spotlight.”
Riya also mentioned her observation of how competitive the local media industry has become over the past few years and the immense pressure that journalists are put under to deliver according to strict deadlines.
“In my personal view, I do believe that unrealistic deadlines can sometimes affect report accuracy and hinder investigative journalism, especially for reporters who need more time to perfect their craft.”
“But at the same time, I guess being placed under so much pressure only emboldens you as a journalist to become resilient and tougher to take on greater challenges,” she said.
A challenging work environment should not deter young and bright minds from pursuing journalism as a career, according to Riya. Riya also believes that there is also a certain stigma associated with being a journalist where sometimes it is not viewed as a colourful job, and you are sometimes seen to be rebellious and outspoken.
“If you are a true journalist at heart then truly nothing can stop you from excelling in this field. Do not pursue journalism for the pay or fame, first, you need to have the passion and determination that your work will change lives.
“Challenges will always be there, but if you stick to your principles of fairness and balance you are going to make a difference and touch the lives of people.”
