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P J Randhawa – The First Sikh Broadcast Journalist
What makes a great crime reporter? Tremendous courage and passion for reporting the real and pressing issues, true and honest integrity in the profession. Such is one reporter, Prabjot Kaur Randhawa, who is South Dakota’s first Sikh broadcast journalist.
PJ Randhawa was born in Manitoba, Canada, to Sikh parents of Indian origin. After receiving a Masters degree in Journalism from Chicago’s DePaul University in 2011, she began her career as a news reporter at KOTA TV in South Dakota, an affiliate of ABC. Success came in the wake of her being promoted to morning news anchor. Her segment reached out to a large populace in 5 states!(South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana). Randhawa has also worked with other news giants such as The Chicago News, Fox Chicago, WGN and PBS.
Perhaps what makes Randhawa unique among the many South Asian journalists we see on mainstream media today, is her tremendous passion for crime news reporting. Her love for criminal justice, researching the stories in depth, and focusing on the victim’s plight is unparalleled, and is indicative of the integrity with which she approaches her career. Randhawa has not only interviewed many prominent politicians in the United States on prevailing socio-economic issues, but has also bravely been involved in dangerous court proceedings and hate group meetings(where she participated as an undercover journalist).
Anokhi had an opportunity to chat with PJ Randhawa. Read below as she answers a few questions for our readers.
Growing up years:
Growing up in Winnipeg played a subtle role in my interest in journalism. I suppose living in a place where crime doesn't affect you, and not much changes year to year expanded my imagination and forced me to create a more creative mindset. I was shy growing up so I would write plays, comedies, poems and short novels to express what I wanted to be, and how I thought life should be. I grew up in a safe, quiet place and I never felt danger or fear. That created a nice environment to explore my ambitions, imagination and set goals about how to become the outgoing person I wrote out.
Being South Asian had little to do with it initially. Living in Canada, I didn't identify people by color. I felt like everyone else I grew up with…people from all around the world of different religions, races, etc. In the US, as I began to pursue my Masters in Journalism, the differences in me (my name, my ethnicity) compared to my classmates began getting attention in a positive light. Professors said I filled a certain niche missing in TV Stations. Looking around, I couldn't help but agree. South Asians are often unrepresented in the media. I felt pride then, and confidence that I could not only report well, but stand proudly by my heritage whilst doing it.
Reporting Crime:
When considering Journalism for the first time, I was unsure if I wanted to be just another face on TV talking about something that doesn't have much impact. I had studied film, and media and web design and various things in college, but what was missing was a purpose.
Since I had long had a fascination with the criminal justice system, I felt I could use my film making talents to showcase issues that actually affected people. Crime is something that pulls at the seams of every community around the world. Its consequences in each society say something unique about its values and perhaps an evolution in humanity itself. Studying these trends and reporting on the impact of these sometimes terrible events is what drives my reporting.
Crime Incident:
Sure! Last year, I watched a young man get sentenced to 20 years in prison after a drunken crime spree. He and his family were so distraught by the sentence, it was heartbreaking to witness, despite the severity of his crime and criminal record. Suddenly, as he was being led out of the courtroom, in anger, he rammed himself into a glass door- taking two sheriff's deputies with him. There was blood everywhere, and his family was fueling the chaos by screaming and fighting with deputies. It soon turned into a riot, with family members fighting each other, eventually being arrested, and the young man being taken to the hospital for stitches. Throughout the whole situation, I was able to use my personal cell phone to take pictures and video. Although much of that video was confiscated by courthouse administrators, it was a vivid reminder of how real "justice" can be.
Favorite Interview:
I will say this about interviewing politicians. They don't make it easy and they don't give straight answers. Politicians, like most interview subjects, say the most interesting thing after you shut off your camera!
Message:
I credit my success to perseverance. My family has provided me with tremendous encouragement and helped me keep my confidence up. Since I was very young I always dreamed to be a better version of myself (more outgoing, confident). Every little success I experienced in university helped me realize I could do more, and I could handle the social and personal challenges that I had always feared.
For anyone looking to pursue journalism: learn to tell a good story first. Then be prepared to fight for what you love. Many South Asian parents don't immediately understand the trials you have to go through to be successful in this field. You will be pressured to conform, people will find your faults and highlight them for you, and sometimes it will feel like nobody is watching or listening…or reading. But you have to love the chase …finding information, presenting information, and most importantly, presenting yourself to the world as someone with something to say.
Anokhi wholeheartedly thanks PJ Randhawa for her time. During the course of the interview, she informed us that she has recently accept a State Reporter position at WIS TV, in Columbia SC. Her political and state coverage will reach seven stations throughout the stage. We congratulate her on this new success, and wish her the best for her future.
Photos Courtesy of PJ Randhawa’s PR
Farah Khan
Author
Farah joined ANOKHI LIFE while finishing up her degree in English Literature and Writing at the University of Toronto. Her position since then has expanded across all departments, everything from office administration and corporate affairs, to ANOKHI's online presence and events. . .
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