Versatile strategic news manager with 10+ years of experience in digital journalism and documentary production, including podcasts and social media-centric videos. Industry leader who works across journalism, video, creative writing, and media research—bringing strong communication and storytelling to every assignment. I bring to the table a decade worth of experience in international newsrooms, as an award-winning journalist focused on narrative-driven video stories. I craft data-driven, well-researched news content for regional and international audiences, lead and supervise editorial workflows, and contribute to award-winning digital storytelling, social media growth, and fact-checked publishing. I am also a working playwright and screenwriter, crafting creative stories the Singaporean and Southeast-Asian markets.

Nessa Anwar

Versatile strategic news manager with 10+ years of experience in digital journalism and documentary production, including podcasts and social media-centric videos. Industry leader who works across journalism, video, creative writing, and media research—bringing strong communication and storytelling to every assignment. I bring to the table a decade worth of experience in international newsrooms, as an award-winning journalist focused on narrative-driven video stories. I craft data-driven, well-researched news content for regional and international audiences, lead and supervise editorial workflows, and contribute to award-winning digital storytelling, social media growth, and fact-checked publishing. I am also a working playwright and screenwriter, crafting creative stories the Singaporean and Southeast-Asian markets.

Available to hire

Versatile strategic news manager with 10+ years of experience in digital journalism and documentary production, including podcasts and social media-centric videos. Industry leader who works across journalism, video, creative writing, and media research—bringing strong communication and storytelling to every assignment. I bring to the table a decade worth of experience in international newsrooms, as an award-winning journalist focused on narrative-driven video stories.

I craft data-driven, well-researched news content for regional and international audiences, lead and supervise editorial workflows, and contribute to award-winning digital storytelling, social media growth, and fact-checked publishing.

I am also a working playwright and screenwriter, crafting creative stories the Singaporean and Southeast-Asian markets.

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Language

English
Fluent
Malay
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance Producer / Writer at Singapore
March 1, 2025 - Present
Produced and wrote episodes for Channel News Asia’s Talking Point documentary series. Co-producer and co-curator of NUSantara Open Circle showcasing new writing from Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Researched and wrote for “Jalan Season 8”, a MediaCorp Suria documentary on the Nusantara region. Researched the IVF process in Singapore and contributed to the second edition of the mental health anthology “The White Book”.
Lead Senior Producer at Dubai, United Arab Emirates
August 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
Researched and shaped strategy, direction, and design for two flagship finance news shows tailored to Zillennial audiences in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Used data-driven storytelling in investor presentations to articulate unique value propositions. Led social media monitoring on news consumption trends affecting Zillennial audiences in Asia. Supervised and fact-checked editorial outputs for “Gulfonomics”, a Middle East-centric editorial program showcasing the latest business news impacts in the region. Proposed revised protocols that increased cross-border production efficiency by 20%.
Senior Multimedia Journalist at CNBC International
September 1, 2019 - July 31, 2024
Originated and produced finance news content across CNBC International’s digital platforms, including scripting, video editing, presenting, and packaging. Analyzed social media trends to grow YouTube subscribers to over 1.3M. Sub-edited for the Asia social media video team and mentored interns on writing, research, and producing award-winning digital explainers, exclusive features, documentaries, and investigative pieces. Served as primary multimedia journalist for Asia, presenting 80+ videos for CNBC digital platforms. Worked with legal, commercial, and news verification teams across multiple countries to deliver well-researched reporting for video, social media, and news articles. Moderated finance, business, and geopolitical panels for local and international audiences, both virtual and in-person. Researched millennial and Gen Z media trends for company-wide publication.
Creative Lead at Moving Bits
December 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019
Wrote and directed creative content spanning commercials, corporate videos, and animated explainers. Led teams ranging from 3–20 people in the creative video process, from conceptualization to post-production. Built professional relationships with a wide range of clients including government organizations, MNCs, and private companies across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Multimedia Producer at Singapore Press Holdings
June 1, 2015 - November 30, 2017
Co-launched the first video arm for The Business Times, producing editorial and commercial content. Led video teams for The Business Times and SPH Razor to produce award-winning content on business, travel, and lifestyle storytelling. Wrote and produced “InstaScram”, a 24-episode travel series commissioned by IMDA Leadership & Activities.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) at National University of Singapore
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2013

Qualifications

Story-based inquiry writing in investigative journalism (Centre of Investigative Journalism)
January 1, 2020 - July 14, 2026
Understanding company accounts and financial statements (Centre of Investigative Journalism)
January 1, 2021 - July 14, 2026
Sexual assault first response work shop (AWARЕ Singapore)
January 1, 2021 - July 14, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Financial Services, Government, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services
    Podcast Video: Why are political scandals and corruption in Singapore so rare?

    Link:

    A series of political scandals has rocked Singapore in recent weeks, from corruption probes to inappropriate relationships among politicians. These challenges have affected the ruling party as well as the largest opposition party.

    Can South Korea’s untouchable chaebols change?

    Link:

    There are 82 chaebols in South Korea as of 2023. These are conglomerates that are usually run by one single family, with total assets that exceed 5 trillion Korean won ($3.69 billion).

    And the revenue of the 10 biggest, including Samsung, Hyundai and LG, accounted for almost 60% of South Korea’s GDP in 2021, or more than a trillion dollars.

    These sprawling business dynasties have helped transform South Korea’s economy from one of the poorest in the 1960s to one of the largest exporters in the world.

    We Test Skincare Products Bought Online: How Likely Are They To Be Counterfeit? | Talking Point

    Link:

    Thousands of skincare and healthcare products are available to us on e-commerce platforms. Reports note that despite multiple enforcement crackdowns, the sale of counterfeit products online is persisting. What are the odds of us purchasing a counterfeit product? In this episode of Talking Point, host Munah Bagharib puts the products she purchased online to the test. How dangerous are counterfeit skincare products? How can we differentiate between authentic and counterfeit products? What is being done to curb their sales online?

    From testing the products in a laboratory, to speaking with anti-counterfeiting experts, she investigates how easy it is to access counterfeit products. She also brings the results of her laboratory testing to a dermatologist to find out the dangers of using counterfeit products, and to the Health Sciences Authority to understand how enforcement agencies work to combat counterfeits. Thousands of skincare and healthcare products are available to us on e-commerce platforms. Reports note that despite multiple enforcement crackdowns, the sale of counterfeit products online is persisting. What are the odds of us purchasing a counterfeit product? In this episode of Talking Point, host Munah Bagharib puts the products she purchased online to the test. How dangerous are counterfeit skincare products? How can we differentiate between authentic and counterfeit products? What is being done to curb their sales online?