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I am Anisa Reddy, the former news anchor, reporter and journalist at TVRI North Sumatra.
Now I'm graduated from the workplace (yes graduated from my workplace, you hear it right!). I worked for almost three years and now, I proudly took a full stop.
Intermezzo
In 2022, I began the journey of my television career.
I started talking on screen exactly on October 29th, as a news anchor at TVRI North Sumatra.
This marks the alpha of an endless ambition towards innovating and creating, sometimes initiating a massive success in my life.
Worked as a TV News Reporter was a miracle since I could involved in various social settings, meeting private people, and had a special opportunities both domestic and international.
Capacity met opportunity created a place for expansion, that was what happened when I joined the television, because I had no idea upon it before.
Since college, I was attracted to public relations jobs, I joined several organisations, worked with multiple people outside campus as a volunteer and a liaison officer.
The marvelous part was I got paid for my endeavor. I became deeply engaged in this field, therefore I enjoyed day by day, juggled with assignments and chores.
Whenever there were seminars, workshops, other meetings, I was the one who never missed a single opportunity. I was ready in the spot even.
Cause every opportunity counts. Each interaction, presentation, or performance is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive impact.
Still, the idea of working on television was not in my mind. I applied several jobs, mainly in banking services.
Out of nowhere, an advertisement I saw written TVRI North Sumatra opened a vacancy for news anchor and reporter.
At a point, I obviously was not sure if this was the perfect role to play with but I dared myself to send the application with all required documents. I sent it and thought I was not going to be chosen. I sent it in h-1 day, because I had no idea if it would succeed or not.
Be that as it may, destiny called. I passed administration phase, screening and on television tests as well as interview selection.
Among 177 applicants who enthusiastically hoped, I was selected to sign a contract along with six other selected people. I was officially a television person at that time.
Around a month before my first on-air presence, I was preparing myself, practicing the vocal, tone, dubbing (voice over), and doing make up plus hair style which would best apply to me.
Finally I reached the point of being a news anchor there. October 29th, 2022 marked the beginning of my career path on television.
Month and month, I advanced my style regarding of my profession. I practiced vocal tone to level up, upgraded appearances to become like high-level news anchor even though I am only a small-town news anchor.
"Always do your best no matter the size of your audience"
I put forth my maximum effort and dedication in any task or activity. I focused on my personal best to prioritize my own standards of excellence and to strive to achieve my highest potential, regardless of the audience size.
When I consistently doing my best, even without recognition, it contributes to my personal and professional growth in the long run. At least it shapes me into a better person as I chose quality over quantity most of the time.
The Alpha
Every day, I used to bring my own preparation stuff, such as foundation, compact powder, eyelashes, lipstick, hair spray, hair tools, etc. Wore minimum 5-cm heels, colorful blazers, sometimes it sucked.
I bought dozens blazers, make up, hair tools by my own money. My salary was used for upgrading myself. I upgraded my style through several ways, like coloring hair. I learnt make up alone as there was no make up artist nor hair stylist.
Working in a regional news agency means we do have skills for broadcasting, doing make up, plus creating hair styles. All in one! Anchors ought to learn along the way.
In fact, I became the best news anchor as well as journalist as I continued to learn everything at the workplace.
Recently I realized these skills are necessary for life, I am incredibly grateful I chose to learn when I had the chance.
At the time that I joined, I broadcasted news at 4 in the afternoon together with male anchor. Two news anchor broadcasting for an hour.
All even numbers for female news anchor whereas odd numbers for male news anchor. That's how we worked in the afternoon news broadcasting.
Enjoyed broadcasting news in the afternoon for some time, there was extension programme which required an extra news programme in the noon time exactly at 12 during 30 minutes. At this extension programme, there was only one news anchor, sometimes male or female, based on given schedule. I broadcasted only 10 to maximum 15 news in the extension programme.
The picture beside is a yellow-page script for news anchor as we broadcast news live on air. I used to read an hour before broadcasting to be more prepared. This is my own script while performing the duty alone, you could find my name printed below there.
If being asked how does it feel sitting an hour, without long break (since this is government news agency there is no advertising), broadcasting and dubbing on time. I would say I enjoyed a lot.
For the first performances, I truly exhausted. I drank lot of water, still I could not catch my breath, especially for criminal news. When I read criminal updates, I got to read with maximum speed, use serious tone with little to no pause.
By time passed, I mastered the art of holding breath, managed my voice and practiced my vocal to meet high standards broadcasting. I watched foreign news channels, updated my style continually to meet global standard and reached my goal.
Here I attach a video of my not-so-long-ago broadcasting featured on YouTube.
I was chosen to be reporter within 8 months. I was the young reporter in the field with assistances from senior reporters.
I flash back to the efforts I put through relentlessly practices for excellent live reports. Memorized scripts, gathered information by myself, faced harsh critiques, and list could go on and on.
Those times taught a lot for me, and for everyone who have been on the same journey too. I reported local news to the national news agency in Jakarta twice or thrice a week.
Nevertheless, I strongly recalled my very first time appeared was when I replaced my senior during Eid Mubarak at Le Polonia Hotel Medan.
I used hijab from my salwar kameez's scarf (salwar kameez is a well-known traditional Indian dress for women. Since it was Eid Mubarak, all news anchors and presenter in entire Indonesia ought to wear hijab.
My senior who I replaced with, sent the Moslem dress I wore via Gosend (online delivery) a day before my very first presence in the live report. I succeed at my first endeavor and everyone in the team congratulated me.
Followed by other live reports as a host/presenter, I represented North Sumatra in national programme "Jendela Negeri" live at 7 in the morning. Usually, I had given schedule on 02nd, 22th and 30th every month. I was the only reporter who handled the programme at TVRI North Sumatra.
As I leveled up, I was chosen to be part of a big family of the biggest sport competition in Indonesia, it was Pekan Olahraga National (PON) XXI ACEH-SUMUT 2024.
I was the only female representative of TVRI North Sumatra. I worked well along with team of TVRI National and team of TVRI Sport. They flew directly from Jakarta to Medan for this exclusive occasion that will be held circling around 38 provinces in Indonesia.
Fortnight, I together with two male journalists from the same office worked through various sports, such as billiards, swimmings, martial arts, volleys, etc.
It started from September 08th, I reported the opening ceremony, interviewed four key people all together. I interviewed the representative of Governor of North Sumatra, Agus Fatoni, in a separate session at Media Center PON.
The other day, I reported swimming competitions and volley matches at different places with different cameramen.
Due to expressing my creative side, I truly enjoyed reporting in the field of these sports. I learnt all along the way — researched swimming and volley since they were my part of duty those days.
The turning point happened in final match of women's volleyball between West Java and East Java. I truly enjoyed the final match like I was one of the spectators. Four sets played well, both teams were equally strong.
Nonetheless, the trophy had to go to East Java team as one of Red Spark's talented players joined the team. Fireball, the background song after each of one added points played during every match — heated adrenaline.
Hectic final match passed. I wrote news in the car while going back to Media Center (large spot for media people at Santika Dyandra Hotel Medan) for dubbing. Everyday my news was broadcast in JURNAL PON series on TVRI National.
I got the chance to report closing ceremony at Sumut Sport Center in September 20th. I had a privilege to be part of this significant ceremony which had been held in the same province, 71 years ago.
The mind-blowing fact, the coordinator of TVRI Sport from Jakarta ordered me to go inside the stadium as the only reporter who reported the closing ceremony live across the national television.
I stood at the highest stair among 11.377 people, heard murmur of people buzzed around, literally it was chilling.
My background was the stunning gigantic stage for closing ceremony, the long-awaited event. As you could imagine there were colorful lights filled the atmosphere in that big moment.
That eventide turned into a big-deal celebration by the whole of million eyes who have been eagerly waiting on television. Ohhh, I genuinely could not be happier, will remember that moment forever.
That's me on the national screen when I was reporting in the stadium. I was the only reporter who was there. Without supporting light, people around turned on the flash light from their mobile phones towards me. They're absolutely amazing.
In the November, I did live report for breaking news, especially for Bobby-Surya candidacy for Governor and Vice Governor of North Sumatra in 2024. My chief news chose me at the day even though I had broadcasting schedule, it was being cancelled.
Breaking news was far more different than usual live report as it lasts 30 minutes compared to regular live report that usually takes up to 5 minutes.
I was speaking in the crowd and it was hot sunny day. My skin was burnt. People went in and out, but I got to speak continuously. I followed where the camera led, walked around, explained the situation, it was terribly exhausting.
Soon after the breaking news live report, I got a special chance to participate in 79th edition Know India Programme for journalist of Indian origin.
I was selected among many and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me. For more details, I have written separate article here:
There were blessings and lessons at those months, however I am very proud of myself for being "that" strong.
When I produce and writing news, I am being my own boss. I led the cameraman to take certain aspect, I decided which person I would like to interview and I wrote news from different angle. To be a journalist means doing a creative work.
I gained lots of high-demanding skills. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Negotiation
Sometimes it's hard to interview high-ranking people like Governor, General, Consul, etc. Their availability was in demand, often times we were being rejected to interview them right at the moment while news had to be released in the afternoon. I was in dilemma.
In the field, I met different individuals, I must be prepared for uncertainty. Thus my negotiation skill was rooted and growing even more by those challenging circumstances. I got to negotiate no matter how hard it was. It took lot of patience and endurance.
2. Public Relations
Since college I involved in numerous public relations field, such as being volunteer to several education fairs as well as being a liaison officer to some big events. I also joined some student organisations and being part of them for some time.
Working in the media has only strengthen my ability in the public relations. I have a broad connection with journalists from North Sumatra. I have close relationships with several key people. I got many opportunities from different people and it only made me even more recognized.
People often say they watch me on TV or YouTube when I broadcasted news, be it from a blind massage therapist I met at PON XXI (he said he remembered my voice that sounded familiar to his ears), online drivers, neighbors, etc.
3. Writing and Story Telling
By working as a journalist I learnt to write clear, brief and concise news. To write news effectively, I begin with a compelling headline and lead and then provide supporting details. I gather information and facts using The 5 Ws and H: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Be an objective writer to present facts without bias or personal opinion. Be an objective news anchor to broadcast news with neutral tone.
Not only the information itself, the way I deliver messages could be infected with personal judgement. I tried my best to avoid provocative tone cause people will find the truth regardless of how well-presented news could be. I let people have their objection by themselves.
4. Effective Communication and Public Speaking
When I joined television, my communication and public speaking skills were being upgraded into a much higher standard. That's why I enjoyed the work cause I was working and learning at the same time.
5. Creativity
It is an artwork prompt not everybody poses themselves. Creativity bursts out of nowhere, leading a person towards initiating and innovating almost anything, anytime. Comes from inside, creative intelligence is an ultimate asset a person could have thorought their life.
Doing my job was an act of creativity, there was not a rigid formula to produce an engaging news, broadcast in a certain demeanor, all were up to how a person carried themselves and did the work. I did my own work by researching and learning. By time passed, I collaborated my creativity into my work — and it worked!
6. Professionalism
In a professional setting, it signifies a commitment to excellence. Professionalism in broadcasting encompasses a range of qualities and behaviors that ensure credibility and public trust.
Sometimes demonstrating composure under pressure. I remember when I had to report in front of two police officers. It was scariest part of my journey, I was nervous.
I looked into the camera and spoke confidently, didn't look at those officers during my report cause they looked at me like I was a prey. At the end of my report, they said it was a good report.
Today, I am not starting from zero, but from a solid groundwork to establish a long-term career path. This path encourages personal development by emphasizing that every opportunity, big or small, is a chance to learn, grow, and improve.
And...
That's the end of this feature-length article. I hope you're enjoying reading my artwork.
Have a great day everyone! 😊
I bought dozens blazers, make up, hair tools by my own money. My salary was used for upgrading myself. I upgraded my style through several ways, like coloring hair. I learnt make up alone as there was no make up artist nor hair stylist.
Working in a regional news agency means we do have skills for broadcasting, doing make up, plus creating hair styles. All in one! Anchors ought to learn along the way.
In fact, I became the best news anchor as well as journalist as I continued to learn everything at the workplace.
Recently I realized these skills are necessary for life, I am incredibly grateful I chose to learn when I had the chance.
Thanks to my old self 🤍
At the time that I joined, I broadcasted news at 4 in the afternoon together with male anchor. Two news anchor broadcasting for an hour.
There are about 20 up to 30 pages news everyday, I broadcasted half of them, the rest ones for male anchor. Opening and closing are mixed by two news anchors, in the middle we broadcast news by numbers.
All even numbers for female news anchor whereas odd numbers for male news anchor. That's how we worked in the afternoon news broadcasting.
Enjoyed broadcasting news in the afternoon for some time, there was extension programme which required an extra news programme in the noon time exactly at 12 during 30 minutes. At this extension programme, there was only one news anchor, sometimes male or female, based on given schedule. I broadcasted only 10 to maximum 15 news in the extension programme.
The picture beside is a yellow-page script for news anchor as we broadcast news live on air. I used to read an hour before broadcasting to be more prepared. This is my own script while performing the duty alone, you could find my name printed below there.
If being asked how does it feel sitting an hour, without long break (since this is government news agency there is no advertising), broadcasting and dubbing on time. I would say I enjoyed a lot.
For the first performances, I truly exhausted. I drank lot of water, still I could not catch my breath, especially for criminal news. When I read criminal updates, I got to read with maximum speed, use serious tone with little to no pause.
By time passed, I mastered the art of holding breath, managed my voice and practiced my vocal to meet high standards broadcasting. I watched foreign news channels, updated my style continually to meet global standard and reached my goal.
Here I attach a video of my not-so-long-ago broadcasting featured on YouTube.
I was chosen to be reporter within 8 months. I was the young reporter in the field with assistances from senior reporters.
I flash back to the efforts I put through relentlessly practices for excellent live reports. Memorized scripts, gathered information by myself, faced harsh critiques, and list could go on and on.
Those times taught a lot for me, and for everyone who have been on the same journey too. I reported local news to the national news agency in Jakarta twice or thrice a week.
Nevertheless, I strongly recalled my very first time appeared was when I replaced my senior during Eid Mubarak at Le Polonia Hotel Medan.
I used hijab from my salwar kameez's scarf (salwar kameez is a well-known traditional Indian dress for women. Since it was Eid Mubarak, all news anchors and presenter in entire Indonesia ought to wear hijab.
My senior who I replaced with, sent the Moslem dress I wore via Gosend (online delivery) a day before my very first presence in the live report. I succeed at my first endeavor and everyone in the team congratulated me.
Followed by other live reports as a host/presenter, I represented North Sumatra in national programme "Jendela Negeri" live at 7 in the morning. Usually, I had given schedule on 02nd, 22th and 30th every month. I was the only reporter who handled the programme at TVRI North Sumatra.
As I leveled up, I was chosen to be part of a big family of the biggest sport competition in Indonesia, it was Pekan Olahraga National (PON) XXI ACEH-SUMUT 2024.
I was the only female representative of TVRI North Sumatra. I worked well along with team of TVRI National and team of TVRI Sport. They flew directly from Jakarta to Medan for this exclusive occasion that will be held circling around 38 provinces in Indonesia.
Fortnight, I together with two male journalists from the same office worked through various sports, such as billiards, swimmings, martial arts, volleys, etc.
It started from September 08th, I reported the opening ceremony, interviewed four key people all together. I interviewed the representative of Governor of North Sumatra, Agus Fatoni, in a separate session at Media Center PON.
The other day, I reported swimming competitions and volley matches at different places with different cameramen.
Due to expressing my creative side, I truly enjoyed reporting in the field of these sports. I learnt all along the way — researched swimming and volley since they were my part of duty those days.
The turning point happened in final match of women's volleyball between West Java and East Java. I truly enjoyed the final match like I was one of the spectators. Four sets played well, both teams were equally strong.
Nonetheless, the trophy had to go to East Java team as one of Red Spark's talented players joined the team. Fireball, the background song after each of one added points played during every match — heated adrenaline.
Hectic final match passed. I wrote news in the car while going back to Media Center (large spot for media people at Santika Dyandra Hotel Medan) for dubbing. Everyday my news was broadcast in JURNAL PON series on TVRI National.
I got the chance to report closing ceremony at Sumut Sport Center in September 20th. I had a privilege to be part of this significant ceremony which had been held in the same province, 71 years ago.
The mind-blowing fact, the coordinator of TVRI Sport from Jakarta ordered me to go inside the stadium as the only reporter who reported the closing ceremony live across the national television.
I stood at the highest stair among 11.377 people, heard murmur of people buzzed around, literally it was chilling.
My background was the stunning gigantic stage for closing ceremony, the long-awaited event. As you could imagine there were colorful lights filled the atmosphere in that big moment.
That eventide turned into a big-deal celebration by the whole of million eyes who have been eagerly waiting on television. Ohhh, I genuinely could not be happier, will remember that moment forever.
That's me on the national screen when I was reporting in the stadium. I was the only reporter who was there. Without supporting light, people around turned on the flash light from their mobile phones towards me. They're absolutely amazing.
In the November, I did live report for breaking news, especially for Bobby-Surya candidacy for Governor and Vice Governor of North Sumatra in 2024. My chief news chose me at the day even though I had broadcasting schedule, it was being cancelled.
Breaking news was far more different than usual live report as it lasts 30 minutes compared to regular live report that usually takes up to 5 minutes.
I was speaking in the crowd and it was hot sunny day. My skin was burnt. People went in and out, but I got to speak continuously. I followed where the camera led, walked around, explained the situation, it was terribly exhausting.
Soon after the breaking news live report, I got a special chance to participate in 79th edition Know India Programme for journalist of Indian origin.
I was selected among many and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me. For more details, I have written separate article here:
Finally, I have arrived to the end of my television career in March 2025. I resigned from my office after two and a half years of working there.
There were blessings and lessons at those months, however I am very proud of myself for being "that" strong.
When I produce and writing news, I am being my own boss. I led the cameraman to take certain aspect, I decided which person I would like to interview and I wrote news from different angle. To be a journalist means doing a creative work.
I gained lots of high-demanding skills. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Negotiation
Sometimes it's hard to interview high-ranking people like Governor, General, Consul, etc. Their availability was in demand, often times we were being rejected to interview them right at the moment while news had to be released in the afternoon. I was in dilemma.
In the field, I met different individuals, I must be prepared for uncertainty. Thus my negotiation skill was rooted and growing even more by those challenging circumstances. I got to negotiate no matter how hard it was. It took lot of patience and endurance.
2. Public Relations
Since college I involved in numerous public relations field, such as being volunteer to several education fairs as well as being a liaison officer to some big events. I also joined some student organisations and being part of them for some time.
Working in the media has only strengthen my ability in the public relations. I have a broad connection with journalists from North Sumatra. I have close relationships with several key people. I got many opportunities from different people and it only made me even more recognized.
People often say they watch me on TV or YouTube when I broadcasted news, be it from a blind massage therapist I met at PON XXI (he said he remembered my voice that sounded familiar to his ears), online drivers, neighbors, etc.
3. Writing and Story Telling
By working as a journalist I learnt to write clear, brief and concise news. To write news effectively, I begin with a compelling headline and lead and then provide supporting details. I gather information and facts using The 5 Ws and H: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Be an objective writer to present facts without bias or personal opinion. Be an objective news anchor to broadcast news with neutral tone.
Not only the information itself, the way I deliver messages could be infected with personal judgement. I tried my best to avoid provocative tone cause people will find the truth regardless of how well-presented news could be. I let people have their objection by themselves.
4. Effective Communication and Public Speaking
Deep down, I know I was gifted with this ability since I was young. I could deliver speech effortlessly like it was always there within me.
When I joined television, my communication and public speaking skills were being upgraded into a much higher standard. That's why I enjoyed the work cause I was working and learning at the same time.
5. Creativity
It is an artwork prompt not everybody poses themselves. Creativity bursts out of nowhere, leading a person towards initiating and innovating almost anything, anytime. Comes from inside, creative intelligence is an ultimate asset a person could have thorought their life.
Doing my job was an act of creativity, there was not a rigid formula to produce an engaging news, broadcast in a certain demeanor, all were up to how a person carried themselves and did the work. I did my own work by researching and learning. By time passed, I collaborated my creativity into my work — and it worked!
6. Professionalism
In a professional setting, it signifies a commitment to excellence. Professionalism in broadcasting encompasses a range of qualities and behaviors that ensure credibility and public trust.
Sometimes demonstrating composure under pressure. I remember when I had to report in front of two police officers. It was scariest part of my journey, I was nervous.
I looked into the camera and spoke confidently, didn't look at those officers during my report cause they looked at me like I was a prey. At the end of my report, they said it was a good report.
Today, I am not starting from zero, but from a solid groundwork to establish a long-term career path. This path encourages personal development by emphasizing that every opportunity, big or small, is a chance to learn, grow, and improve.
And...
That's the end of this feature-length article. I hope you're enjoying reading my artwork.
Have a great day everyone! 😊
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