Goodbye Crime Desk

Last week, I was still a rookie crime desk reporter.

This week, I have been transformed (strictly speaking, I am still under training) into a serious political news reporter.

Because of the upcoming elections and the lack of manpower, I was thrown into a completely new "working environment" (still with the same paper but a different desk), with just a few days' notice.

What a roller-coaster!

Young Singaporeans have always been labelled as uninterested in local politics, ignorant or plainly bo-chup.

To tell you the truth, I have never been truly very interested in politics. I can name who's who is in the Cabinet and I know the more well-known opposition party members. But that's the furtherst I could go. Or more precisely, that is all that I feel the "urge" to find out. Full-stop.

I wonder how many people feel the way I do?

Today, I went on my first political assignment with a senior journalist. It was PAP's announcement of their fourth batch of candidates.

Some 30 journalists appeared to come prepared with burning questions on their minds. It was no surprise, after all, news on the elections have been on the papers and television since January or even earlier. But being a greenhorn, I was in a bit of a "culture shock" and felt kind of out of place.

After the three candidates were introduced and they made their individual speeches, questions were open to the floor. Hands shot up from the left, the right, at the front, from the back, from everywhere!

Questions from journalists were blasted at the candidates, but they were not tough questions, and answers were fairly well given too.

As the session ended, photographers rushed forward to capture shots, while journalists pushed forward and held up recorders to the candidates, I was almost knocked off my feet!

There was another round of indepth interviews and within two hours, the whole session came to a close.

My mind often goes to a blank when I am thinking of interview questions for the politicians. It made me miss the times when I was in crime desk, where questions came instantaneously and readily to mind.

Well, I guess this is just my first day and I am still not used to the new jobscope. But in view of the upcoming elections, there is no time to lament or to dilly-dally, I need to do my homework fast!

I am not sure if interest can be cultivated, but knowledge certainly has to be built up.

Wish me luck!