(Hamish Macdonald and Rully Kurniawan speaking during event. Photo credit: Garish (Luci) Kugathasan, 2025)
Early in 2025, acclaimed journalists Hamish Macdonald and Rully Kurniawan attended Western’s Parramatta South campus for a journalism masterclass. They discussed the art of interviewing, the issue of young voters relying on social media, and their approach to sourcing information. They also shared how they entered the journalism field.
If you’re unfamiliar with these two, Hamish Macdonald is an Australian broadcast journalist and the current host of Sydney Mornings on ABC Sydney. You may also recognise him from hosting The Project on Network 10. Rully Kurniawan is the Chief of the International Desk, senior correspondent, and executive producer at CNN Indonesia. Both are reputable journalists driven to stand out in the field, inspiring real change in the community.
The Art of an Interview
Body language can shape the success of an interview, according to Macdonald and Kurniawan. Facial expressions, posture, and eye contact all help build connection and keep the conversation flowing.
Macdonald reflected on how staying tuned in to the audience can shape the direction of an interview. His exact words were, “You have to be aware of what the audience is expecting and thinking about.” This kind of awareness helps an interviewer guide the conversation naturally and ask questions that resonate.
Kurniawan also emphasised the importance of being adaptable, particularly for those who don’t naturally consider themselves outgoing. He opened up about his quiet, shy nature and how his mother once questioned whether journalism was the right career fit for him. But his passion for storytelling and driving change gave him the courage to step out of his comfort zone and build meaningful connections.
Both speakers stressed the need to remain down-to-earth. They advised journalists to approach interviewees with respect and sensitivity, especially when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The Issue of Young Voters Turning to Social Media
Macdonald and Kurniawan raised concerns about young voters relying on social media for answers, particularly when deciding who to vote for in elections. They also warned that this heavy reliance can have long-term consequences for both individuals and their communities, influencing other decisions.
Macdonald explained that many people turn to social media platforms because it’s faster to obtain information through “finding the short form, sexy tease of the story.”
Along with social media platforms, young people also turn to podcasts for information and entertainment. Macdonald commented that “they want to go to podcast hosts who have clear opinions.” He also pointed out that trust in the media is now narrower, as fewer people trust traditional sources and prefer turning to alternative, opinion-driven platforms, such as podcasts.
Macdonald warned that this trend could be potentially troublesome for democracy, because a healthy democracy depends on people sharing the same fundamental truths and facts. Social media and podcasts may undermine that when they become too biased.
Journalistic Integrity
Finally, the speakers concluded by highlighting the importance of journalistic integrity. Macdonald stated that journalists “have an obligation during election periods to make sure they give shared points of view in their reporting.” He emphasised that this responsibility applies to all forms of reporting. A journalist’s role, he explained, is to fact-check and provide context, ensuring that the audience is well-informed with clear, accurate and comprehensive information about the events covered.
This masterclass offered students valuable lessons and insights into the responsibilities of journalists. As an editor for W’SUP News, I believe that their advice and experiences will help all journalists, regardless of experience, in the field of reporting.
