Crime correspondent shares harrowing frontline experiences with students

The Straits Times' senior crime correspondent Zaihan Mohamed Yusof shared gripping accounts of his most challenging assignments with students on August 28, during what marked the final instalment of the What's The News? school programme.

Addressing an audience of young learners, Yusof described moments when he found himself in dangerous situations while pursuing crime stories, including incidents where he was surrounded by armed individuals. These experiences, he explained, highlighted the real-world hazards journalists face when reporting from high-risk environments and crime scenes.

The school engagement initiative, designed to foster media literacy and journalism awareness among younger audiences, gave Yusof the platform to discuss the professional responsibilities and personal risks inherent in crime reporting. His account underscored the commitment required of journalists working in sensitive beats, where access to stories often comes at considerable personal cost.

Through such programmes, newsrooms have sought to demystify journalism for the next generation while providing candid perspectives on the profession's challenges. Yusof's participation in the final session exemplified efforts by established news organisations to cultivate understanding of how news is gathered and the dedication required to bring important stories to public attention.