In the lead up to World News Day on September 28, we will be featuring some of the key people in the Fiji Sun newsroom.

Most readers only know them by their bylines.

Meet Shalveen Chand, senior journalist and SunCity Editor for the Fiji Sun.

He is a familiar face in media circles. He likes to be on the field to meet people and get a feel for what is happening on the ground.

Mr Chand joined the Fiji Sun mid-2019 after returning to Fiji from a stint in the Cook Islands where he was the news director for Cook Islands Television.

He has been in the media for almost two decades and has experience in print, radio and television.

Over the years, Shalveen has covered major events in the nation including political upheavals, natural disasters, murders, social issues and stories on people.

He has been at the forefront of newsroom operations and has a strong instinct for all things newsy.

He has been instrumental in getting stories that deserve to be told, published in the paper.

Currently, with the SunCity section, Mr Chand’s role is to highlight all things and everything related to Fiji’s growing urban areas including people, lifestyle and issues affecting urbanites.

When did you start working in a newsroom?

Sometime in 2001. It was by chance. I did not know I was destined for the newsroom. I was barely 21, and had then had the responsibility of looking after a child. There was an audition for a news reporter at a radio company in Suva and my father was quite insistent that I go.

It was quite a crowd, I made it in after 20 or 30 people, and I was selected. I was notified of this and was introduced to this jungle called the newsroom. It was a swim or sink start. I got into the groove pretty quickly meaning ability to parcel interviews, stories, bulletins, voice grabs and then going to present on air within an hour. It was a rush. And as time went by I realised that I wanted to do what I was doing in a bigger and better manner.

Why do you do what you do?

Because I love it. Over the years, stories that I have done have provided help to many, justice to some, access to services, people have had their voices heard and in some cases I hope that I have been able to inspire people by highlighting the strength of people.

This work allows me to meet new people and travel. On the sad side of things, my work has also led me to look at the dark side of society, there are things out there many would not believe happens.

Being a journalist comes naturally to me and I love doing this. Someone once told me “Do what you love, otherwise you will sit at your desk and loathe what you’re doing for a lifetime.’

How do you put up with deadline pressures at work and from outside?

The key to meeting deadlines is organisation. Planning ones work and knowing where to get the answers from. Once you have that figured out, I start telling the story to myself so when I sit to write, I basically know what I am doing most of the time.

I guess starting work in a radio newsroom with hourly deadlines builds you up for the pressure. I have had great family support.

I looked after my two sons after my first marriage fell through just four years into the mix, some things are not meant to be.

And during this time I endured the sometimes long and unusual hours that are associated with media work and I have my parents to thank for being there for my children when I was away on assignments.

Stress is a killer, I beat that by exercise. I play soccer, have a session at the gym, box at home and I love to cook.

My partner is also a great support. She understands what my work requires of me. I love family picnics and going to new spots, this builds good memories and makes good pictures.

In your journalism career, what are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how were these addressed?

Everyday is a challenge. One of the biggest challenges for me was when censorship was being imposed. I was locked up for two nights for highlighting a story which showed influence in the judicial system and injustice to a dead teenager’s family.

I was never charged but kept for two nights at Totogo Police Station. Thankfully those days are gone.

But I was never deterred from doing the right thing. Also life is full of challenges. Every day when we wake, the challenges start. At times even the best of us make mistakes, we have to realise our mistakes, accept our faults and do it better the next time around.

Please highlight at least two pieces of work that you did that brought about change in policy, community/ or in behaviour?

Relating to recent events, I did a few stories on our Frontliners, they were doctors, nurses, health staff, army personnel and even civil servants seconded for work especially during the lockdown period.

I felt those stories showed Fijians the fight we were in and what was required of us to beat this pandemic.

I hoped that people realised that during these trying times it required all of us to do our part. And not push all the onus onto the Government to protect the nation from this pandemic.

There were other stories highlighting the resilience of Fijians on how they took on life affected by COVID-19 and of those who didn’t just stop at helping themselves but also helped others in need.

n World News Day aims to raise public awareness of the critical role that journalists play in providing credible and reliable news, to help people make sense of — and improve — the rapidly changing world around them.

Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj