“I was often called by people for advice on what to see and whom to talk to in mainland China,” she says.
Eventually, Hsia’s demonstration of her abilities impressed her callers, leading to an interview for a position at Diane Sawyer’s then-new program, “Prime Time Live.”
According to Hsia, it was not talent, but her Harvard experience that got her the job. She recalls her interview experience: “The two leaders of the show looked at me and said, ‘Let me get this straight. You have absolutely no hard news experience?’ I then piped up, ‘Well, I was a writer for The Harvard Crimson...and eventually became Photo Chairman.’”
“I got the job,” she adds, “became Diane Sawyer’s producer, and have spent the last 15 years in broadcast journalism.”
WHAT MEDIA MAY COME
Since NBC News President Neal Shapiro announced his intent to step down from his post, Hsia’s future journalistic prospects remain wide open.
But Hsia contends calmly, “I’ve absolutely loved helping contribute to the building and success of NBC News—helping recruit and develop the best talent for the network…and figuring out how to best communicate what’s happening in the world to our viewers.”
Noting that she is fascinated by the draw of Jon Stewart’s faux-news production, The Daily Show, Hsia remains committed to reporting the facts and keeping the world informed.
“There have been challenges—particularly in an environment where the media’s credibility is being questioned—but that’s what keeps it interesting. We need to maintain the highest standards and ethics in order to keep the faith of the public in media,” she says.
But Hsia says it is not the content of the news that is most important but the people who help to deliver it.
“There have been endless fantastic stories that I feel very proud of. But ultimately, it all comes down to people,” she says. “I am most proud that I have recruited and developed fantastic talent that I know will bring issues to the public in an important and meaningful way.”
—Staff writer Vinita M. Alexander can be reached at valexand@fas.harvard.edu.