Born on September 7, 1986, Rita Malouf’s journalism career took off when she was only 19, in her sophomore year at Damascus University. From working as an editor for Syria News, an anchor at Sham TV, to the current main anchor for Syrian National TV, the foundations of a glistening future are laid out well before her.

What has enticed you to enter the field of journalism?
Being an anchor was my childhood dream. One day I saw a news broadcaster and pointed to the TV and said: “I wanna be like that when I grow up!” and everything later in life drove me towards that goal.

What do you believe has contributed to your burgeoning career?
I had working experience before I finished my studies, and that eased my transition into the working market. TV is not an easy step like everybody thinks, especially news broadcasting, it’s a huge responsibility, such as being sent as a correspondent because of a lack of staff, or going live on air without preparation, which adds a tremendous psychological pressure to the already demanding task at hand. And of course, my family’s support, and the Syrian TV management who trusted in my capabilities and gave me many opportunities to shine.

What are your most significant achievements in your view?
In only one year I became a main anchor without any help. I presented the International Film Festival in 2009, which was tremendous and exciting for me being Syria’s face internationally; I also covered the Syrian-Turkish strategic board meeting when travel visas were eased; and conducted many interviews with many prominent political figures such as Amr Mousa, the Syrian minister for transport and media, and Muhammad Nazzal from Hamas.

How would you like your career to progress in the future?
I would like to have my own styled news broadcast someday, from the contents, style and substance, to the décor, graphics, and even clothing, while focusing on in-depth reports. I would like to start writing articles, but personally I believe that it is still early for that. I’ve had a few personal attempts but I think that I have to read more first, and gain more experience in that field. For I believe that not everyone that writes is a writer; writing is an art, it has to catch the attention of readers whether they like the content or not.

What are your expectations of the future?
I’m afraid of the future. I hope I can live up to people’s expectations of me, and wish that in the future people would revert to this feature and say that I truly was a right choice for a Face of the Future.

Any words of advice to young media-enthusiasts who would like to follow in your steps?
I try to learn a bit from everywhere, a rose from each garden as some would say; having a diverse set of skills is crucial for success in the media industry.

Historical personality to have impressed you most: Thomas Edison
The person who has impressed you in your personal life: Nazeeh Malouf, my father.
I value: Love in all its forms, because it’s the biggest source of positive energy.
I’m fascinated by: Josh Groban
I would walk a thousand mile to: Reach true happiness, because everything a man or woman does and achieves is eventually to reach happiness and satisfaction, which are hard to come about, if not impossible.
My favorite author: No one specific, but I am influenced by Firas Al-Sawwah and Ala’a Al-Halabi.
Book I’m reading now: “The End of History and the Last Man,” by Francis Fukuyama.
Thing that make my smile: A beautiful sunny day.
My favorite quote: An Egyptian idiom: “Walk straight and your enemies will be confused.”
Three traits I admire in people: Honesty and clarity, being humane to everyone and everything, non-sectarian.

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• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

• Assad appoints a 29-member Constitutional Committee, for a new constitution by next February
• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

• Assad appoints a 29-member Constitutional Committee, for a new constitution by next February
• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?