Nou Maneth Athana, who is a news presenter for Cambodia News Channel (CNC),  provided some tips on becoming a news presenter.

“First, for those who want to be a news presenter, they have to know how to explain and deliver the news to the audience effectively,” said Thana.

She added that news presenters need to know the subjects of their news stories well. If they are sure about the subjects, they will be able to present it well.

Furthermore, news presenters must have good diction so the audience can understand what they says.

“The principle of reading or presenting the news is to focus on pronouncing words clearly. Do not cheat! This means that news presenters needs to speak slowly and clearly so that the audiences can fully understand what we are delivering.”

She said that some people were born with a talent of speaking while the others have to learn how to speak productively. Therefore, those who were not born with talent and want to be news presenters should train themselves to speak well so that the audience will be motivated to listen.

Thana raised another useful point concerning knowledge of the media.

“Having a background in media helps improve understanding of the ways of speaking in the media profession, and allows us to be aware of the content of the news stories we are reading.”

Thana also said that news presenters appearing on national television should have good looks. She said that although news presenters do not have to be the most beautiful people in the world, they ought to have a good physique and good makeup.

She said knowledge of English, flexibility, preparedness and interpersonal skills are also good qualities to have.

I want to be a news presenter on TV

Khoun Sreymom, a fourth-year English major at Norton University and a student at Vanda Institute of Accounting, said that she wanted to be a news presenter on TV.

 “When I was young, I wanted to be a doctor, but when I was in high school– maybe in grade 10, I wanted to be a news presenter when I watched the news on TV,” said Sreymom.

She thought that being a news presenter could help improve and broaden her general knowledge.

“I saw the news presenters on TV, and they looked so professional and they knew a lot about society. Therefore, I wanted to be like them.”

 Her parents do not object to her idea and support her goals. But in order to become a news presenter, what does she need to do?