* The interview was conducted in Sep 2002

Education

Master of Journalism, HKU, 2002
Business Administration, Thames Valley University, United Kingdom, 1998

Current Employment

Senior Features Writer, The South China Morning Post, 2000 to present

Previous Employment

Features Writer, Hong Kong Standard, 1998 to 2000
Reporter / Producer, Wharf Cable TV, 1996 to 1998

Winner of the Human Rights Press Awards 2002, 2001 and 1999

Sherry won the First Prize and Special Merits in the Features Section for her stories "Learning the Hard Way" and "City of Strife" respectively in 2002. The former article is about the deprivation of education for children from minority groups while the latter reveals a housing policy which forces divorced couples who live in public housing to reside together. Both articles reflect the current situations in Hong Kong.

In 2001, she won the First Prize for her story "A Wall of Contention" and in 1999, Special Merits for "Villagers fight to lift ban on Street."

What is the "Human Rights Awards"?

"The Human Rights Press Awards" is created with an aim to increase respect for the basic rights of all people, heighten general awareness of human rights issues and, where threats to those freedom exits, to focus attention upon them. The annual competition started in 1996 and is open to journalists in both print and electronic media. The categories for entrance include:

• Newspaper (news and features)
• Magazines
• Commentary and Analysis
• Radio
• Television
• Photojournalism and photography
• Materials published online

Competition is always keen. A total of 232 entrants were received in 2002.

What did Sherry do to win it?

• Being able to select an interesting and original topic;
• Conducting thorough research in a creative way to gather information that is not yet available;
• Persistence and Sincerity - to convince the subject to answer questions despite repeated failures;
• Writing from one's own heart and angle; and
• Bravery in reporting and writing.

What does Sherry reckon to be the secret of her success?

• Full of passion;
• Being positive, creative and persistent;
• Has her own style;
• Knows when to stop working on a piece of article that is already well done. She fully understands that an organization does not need a perfectionist but someone who can help generate profit; and
• Being outspoken and confident.

Why is she interested in human rights issue?

Sherry is deeply concerned with social equality. She believes human rights are important and are the basic need of every human being. She is disappointed that that many places including Hong Kong have ignored and abused the human rights conventions. She feels that it is the duty of journalists to come forward to protect the public from unfair infringement. Writing and reporting human rights issues can help those who are suffering, as well as increase awareness of human rights in the government and society.

What is her plan for the immediate future?

She wants to stay in her present position for a few more years. She sees no urgency to get promoted to the post of Editor because she enjoys writing her own stories rather than editing those of other reporters.

She has recently finished a video documentary on the right of abode seekers in Hong Kong who face separation of their families under a January's court ruling. This is a joint project with a cinematographer. They will enter it to a short film and video award competition. If it is selected, it will be shown in the Arts Centre and more people can watch it and understand the issue.

In the near future, she wishes to gain some international experience by working as a Journalist in an Asia Country. She hopes that more journalists will report human rights issues.

What advice does she have for students interested in journalism?

• Apply for internship programmes before graduation;
• Approach more than one company;
• Read the publisher's newspaper of the day before going for an interview (and be able to critically comment on the various articles reported);
• Start building a portfolio with different types of stories;
• Brush up analytical and communication skills;
• Show genuine interest in the field; and
• Join a Chinese publisher to gain experience if one fails to get an offer from an English publisher.

Direct entry to the Feature section is uncommon. One must have several years' previous experience in the field because a journalist in the Feature Section requires a broad knowledge in different areas.