Freda Liu - Be Unbiased In Your Reporting, Try To Get Views On Both Sides (Moderator/ Author/ Speaker, Malaysia)

The world has changed so much where we needed to join a media organization.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I used to work in PR in a consultancy and then IBM. I joined BFM, Malaysia's only business radio station as a presenter/producer over 10 years ago although I was a part time news presenter on radio & TV previously. I am also a moderator/emcee for a lot of corporate events. I am a speaker and author of 6 books.

2. What is your opinion about press freedom in Malaysia?

Thanks to online media, people are speaking up. Although you see things curbed at times, public pressure if something seems unfair gets spoken about and debated.

3. What is your message to all aspiring journalists?

Be open to all kinds of platforms to get your message across. The world has changed so much where we needed to join a media organization. Continue to be unbiased in your reporting. Try to get views on both sides.

4. How do you chose and prepare for a talk?

It really depends on the topic. Let's say it's about sustainability. I would do the research on the company and find out how they are making a social impact. I personally am keen to talk about sustainability now and this is the decade of action if we are to reach SDG goals by 2030 so there is a sense of urgency for the community at large.

5. If you could interview one famous person, who would that be and why?

I would have to say Sir Richard Branson. He has made such an impact on the business world and how he thinks. I would love to learn a sliver on how he thinks.

6. What challenges can one face during live calls?

Bad connection. It helps that we can see someone personally but calls tend to lose some of its personal touch.

7. Does one also need to be technologically savy in your favourite?

Yes you have to. You don't need to know the mechanics but you must know how to use them. Also, look out for new types of social media platforms like Tik Tok or Snapchat even because that's where the younger generation are going and if we want to continue to be relevant, we must now how to communicate so they will listen.

8. Which is your favourite book and why?

Too many books. Can't say there is a favourite. I do however love Carole Dweck's book on Mindset. I refer to it all the time so that I will continue to have a Growth mindset and not a Fixed one.

- Freda Liu

Working with BFM89.9, Malaysia's leading business station, Freda has conducted over 5,000 interviews with prominent names which include author Stephen Covey, motivational speaker Nick Vijucic, former GE CEO Jack Welch, the Duke of York HRH Prince Andrew and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Covering the gamut of communications, she previously worked for Edelman PR and IBM Asia Pacific and also as a news presenter on national radio & TV. Award-winning Freda is highly sought after for moderating corporate events and training.

She has authored five books called "PR Yourself" and “Shake & Spear Your Business: The Romeo & Juliet Way,” and "Everybody Loves Ray" (biography). Her latest book is called “Bursting Fixed Mindsets- How 15 Women Broke the Million Ringgit Mark” as she's passionate to take women entrepreneurship to the next level. She also hosts a show called Her Vantage which talks about women of leadership and influence to showcase women representation in all strata of society from sports, the arts & sciences to entrepreneurship.