記者如此煉成

趙應春，一個在新聞界無人不知的名字。他曾掌舵有線電視新聞部多年，在此任職過的記者都叫他「首長」，包括譚曉彤。問到對這名昔日下屬的印象，他說對譚曉彤的認識主要來自她完成的新聞報道，「我覺得她很認真嚴謹，不怕困難的題材，對自己也有要求。」

今年是譚曉彤成為記者的第八年，這是她唯一做過的職業。新聞路的起點是新傳，她在本科修讀新聞編採科目，先後擔任英文實習刊物《Varsity》記者和編輯，與同學由構思題目、搜集資料、採訪到報道「一腳踢」，過程中漸漸體驗到行業如何運作：「職場會高壓些，但在本科也感受到整個流程，例如老師會跟同學開稿題會，問你報道用這個角度切入的原因，你也要定期交代採訪進度。我覺得這體驗對日後工作很重要。」

回望這些年的記者生涯，她表示願意挑戰不同新聞題材，但心底一直想當「說故事的人」，而新聞於她是說故事的形式之一。身處高壓行業，她坦言有時感到吃力，但在本科實習刊物編採過程中，培養到韌性和解難能力，支撐她迎難而上，「由最初不知怎樣辦，一步步去想怎樣解決難題、完成報道，這在職場非常重要，每當我遇到困難就會鼓勵自己，只要肯用心、專注去做，我就可以跨過。」

堅韌是新聞人的共同特質。未必太多人知道，趙應春其實是中大新聞學碩士課程畢業生。作為行業老行尊，為什麼還去進修？他說因為「不太滿足於自己」，「我身在業界，知道業界運作如何，但背後的理論和研究，是不是也值得花時間去探索？我想為自己多跨一步，學習最新的知識。」

半工讀不易，趙應春卻表示這兩年學習非常充實，值得他「用大假做功課」。現為香港恒生大學傳播學院副院長兼實務教授的他笑言，因當日決定裝備自己，在有線退休後得以更換跑道，「如果沒有咬緊牙關捱兩年，現在可能在公園散步。」提到傳播教育這條新跑道，他說不少人認為讀新聞沒有前途，「出路少、人工低」，事實不然，「傳播教育能助人打好根基，不只語文表達能力，還有分析思考能力，同時擴闊視野、培養對事實的追求，這些對個人將來發展大有裨益。」

簡介：
趙應春，2006年香港中文大學新聞學碩士畢業，在香港新聞界工作逾40年，曾擔任有線電視執行董事，率領新聞部與體育部；現為香港恒生大學傳播學院副院長兼實務教授。

譚曉彤，2017年香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院本科畢業，2018年加入有線新聞部，現為香港01港聞助理採訪主任；曾獲6個消費權益新聞報道獎，當中3個為金獎，2021年獲中大新聞獎最佳視像新聞優異獎。

From Classroom to Newsroom: How Journalism Education Shaped Two Media Professionals

Ronald Chiu Ying-chun is a household name in Hong Kong’s journalism circles. During his years at the helm of Cable TV’s News Department, reporters under his leadership — including Zoe Tam — affectionately called him “Chief.” When asked about his former protégé, Chiu notes that his impression of Tam comes primarily from her reporting work. “I find her extremely dedicated and meticulous. She doesn’t shy away from challenging topics and holds herself to high standards.”

Now in her eighth year as a reporter — the only career she’s ever known—Tam’s journey began at the School of Journalism and Communication. As an undergraduate, she studied news reporting and editing while gaining hands-on experience with the university’s English practicum publication Varsity, where she took on roles as both reporter and editor. There, she and her classmates handled everything from story conceptualization to research, interviews, and final reporting. This comprehensive experience gave her valuable insights into the industry. “The professional world is certainly more intense, but my undergraduate experience exposed me to the entire process. Teachers would conduct editorial meetings, questioning our angles and requiring regular updates on our interview progress. That foundation proved invaluable for my career.”

Reflecting on her career, Tam acknowledges her willingness to tackle diverse news subjects, though at heart she’s always wanted to be a “storyteller,” with journalism being one medium for that passion. She candidly admits that the high-pressure environment can be overwhelming, but credits her undergraduate training for developing the resilience and problem-solving abilities that help her push through challenges. “From those initial moments of uncertainty to methodically working through problems and completing reports — that process is crucial in this profession. Whenever I face difficulties, I remind myself that with focus and dedication, I can overcome them.”

Resilience indeed defines successful journalists. Few realize that Chiu himself is a graduate of CUHK’s Master of Journalism program. Why would an industry veteran pursue further education? “I wasn’t satisfied with my knowledge,” he explains. “While I understood the practical workings of the industry, I believed the underlying theories and research deserved exploration. I wanted to challenge myself and stay current with the latest developments.”

Balancing work and studies wasn’t easy, but Chiu found those two years deeply rewarding — even worth using vacation days to complete assignments. Now serving as Associate Dean and Professor of Practice at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong’s School of Communication, he jokes that his decision to further his education enabled his post-Cable TV career transition. “Had I not persevered through those two years, I’d simply be whiling away my days strolling through parks with no real purpose.” Addressing misconceptions about journalism education — that it offers “limited prospects and poor compensation” —Chiu strongly disagrees. “Communication education builds a solid foundation not just in verbal expression, but in critical thinking. It broadens perspectives and instills a commitment to factual accuracy — all invaluable assets for any career path.”

Profiles:
Ronald Chiu Ying-chun earned his Master’s in Journalism from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2006. With over 40 years in Hong Kong’s news industry, he previously served as Cable TV’s Executive Director overseeing both News and Sports Departments. He is currently the Associate Dean and Professor of Practice at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong’s School of Communication.

Zoe Tam graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Journalism and Communication in 2017. She joined Cable TV’s News Department in 2018 and currently serves as Assistant Assignment Editor for HK01’s Local News Section. Her achievements include 6 Consumer Rights Reporting Awards (3 Gold). In 2021, she received a Certificate of Merit in the Best Video News Reporting category at the Chinese University Journalism Award.