From Local Beginnings to Global Headlines: Adam's Journey as an International Journalist

Adam's passion for journalism developed from his innate love for the spoken word, a passion cultivated from a very young age. Hailing from a humble village in Lebanon, Adam’s grandparents passed down a rich legacy of storytelling, sharing the values of meaningful conversation, teaching, and sharing, and immeasurably shaping his passion for communication and storytelling.

Adam's career began in the heart of regional Australia, in Tamworth, NSW. In the midst of a pivotal work experience placement, in his final year of studying a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) at the University of Newcastle, he was given the opportunity to file a story for the live local bulletin. His very first report was broadcast on Prime TV, and in just one minute and 15-seconds, Adam began the transition from aspiring student to journalist.

“That week at Prime allowed me to put together a showreel which I sent to every TV newsroom along the Australian eastern seaboard. Within a week, I received a call from NBN in Newcastle about a job for a grade one reporter on the Central Coast.”

Adam attributes much of his success to his formative years at the University of Newcastle.

“Many of the courses were practicality based - including a stint working at the Sydney Olympics. It was a paid gig AND we scored credits towards our degree - it doesn't get much better than that. Fundamentally though, it was the competitiveness of the place - the calibre of the students at the University of Newcastle that made me want to be better, through healthy competition.”

Adam steadily rose through the ranks at NBN News, his proficiency and dedication propelling him to Senior Journalist and Presenter. Over the span of three years, Adam anchored the news, becoming a familiar and trusted face in countless living rooms across the network.

Seeking international exposure, he made a bold move to the United Kingdom. There, he refined his craft as an International Journalist, immersing himself in the complexities of global affairs. His freelance work provided him with a firsthand experience of historic events, enabling him to report on pivotal moments that shaped the world.

Adam's first few years in London saw him balance freelance correspondent work for Australian networks with producing in the big global newsrooms in London, including Al Jazeera, the BBC and CNN. During this time, he was part of a team that won a prestigious Peabody Award for CNN's coverage of the Arab Spring.

In 2013, Adam took on a senior staff role at the BBC, ending his days as a freelancer, but opening up a world of opportunity. During his time at the BBC, Adam was based out of broadcast hubs in London, Washington and Singapore, while also being deployed to places like Belarus, Lebanon, the US and Vietnam. This period marked a transformative shift in Journalism, moving beyond traditional news reporting to meet the audience's growing appetite for comprehensive context. Technological advancements, such as compact cameras, mobile broadcasting technology, and the prevalence of smart TVs, made news consumption more accessible. With an increasing number of viewers turning to personal devices for news, news organisations faced the challenge of tailoring content for smaller screens.

In 2021, Adam had the opportunity to work with the Olympic Broadcasting Service as an Assignment Editor for the Tokyo Games. His role involved assigning stories, reporters, and crews across Japan, all while navigating the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The team faced heavy restrictions during the first two weeks, confined to travel only between their hotel and the International Broadcast Centre due to Japan's mandatory quarantine measures.

“Once the quarantine period was complete and we were able to move around a little more freely, you could see that genuine will on the faces of games organisers and their supporters, to make the 2021 Games a success. The largely absent crowds restricted our storytelling somewhat as spectators are very much part of the Olympic experience. Hopefully, this will be the first - and last - time crowds are told to stay away.”

Now as Managing Editor of SBS World News, Adam's days are a whirlwind of activity. He starts his day the night before, checking news from Europe and the US. Since SBS World News is Australia’s only global-facing daily TV news offering, its focus on the international agenda – an agenda that never sleeps – is a key point of difference. Adam’s’ team is small but spans many cities and countries, with regular collaboration across the organisation, including with NITV and SBS Audio.

Adam chairs editorial meetings, collaborates with teams across different programs, and oversees the production of the flagship bulletin, SBS World News. Adam finishes his day focusing on the 6:30pm and late news programs, which involves liaising with Chief Producers who curate the show from start to finish. Adam’s favourite part of the day? Script writing for teasers and promos.

Although Adam confirms that it's not always smooth sailing. As many journalists can relate, time (or lack thereof) is the biggest challenge that he faces. Being a deadline driven industry, there is always a sprint to the finish line.

“If there was a quick fix to 'overcoming' these challenges, we'd all be deploying them. Communication works for me. And being clear with a timeline helps manage expectations. Most importantly, for me at least, is a balance of 'personal' and 'professional' time. I find some regular investment in 'personal' time equips me with the right headspace to navigate work challenges - for example - I swim most days. By doing this, it certainly won't 'fix' my time issues, but it'll provide me with the right frame of mind to keep attempting to.”

Adam's perspective on journalism and storytelling has been shaped by his experiences of working close to home in regional NSW and also across the globe. He learned the importance of finding the relevance of a story for the audience, whether it's a story about a local council issue or an international trade tariff. For Adam, the journey of storytelling is not just about reaching the destination, but about embracing the challenges and joys along the way, shaping narratives that resonate with and maintain the trust of audiences worldwide.