BRENDA CZEDA
Summary
Motivated Journalist with over 10 years of experience and extensive understanding of what makes news. Successful at fast, accurate editing for accuracy, dynamism with a talent for finding new, hard-hitting stories and following international happenings. Eager to bring tenacious editing skills, on air talent and insightful writing.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Presenter and Senior Producer
TRT World
01.2025 - Current
- Present a wide variety of current affairs materials for the screen.
- Conduct interviews with a wide range of interviewees, with flair and authority.
- Added improvised content appropriately to deliver broadcasts on time.
- Oversees agendas being pursued and looks out for newsworthy stories that attract the target audience.
- Collaborate with the production teams to ensure continuity of content across different programs throughout the day.
- Conducts live interviews and presents unscripted coverage of breaking news stories as required.
- Undertook interviewing and reporting duties under broad direction in both recorded and live situations, in the studio or on location.
- Maintained cordial relationships with external and internal contacts to avail myself of resources and build rapport.
- Worked under the direction of an executive producer to produce distinctive and stylish coverage for a segment of TRT World's programming.
- Writing scripts and video editing news packages using a newsroom production system, commissioning, and writing graphics, and other tasks as required.
Television News Anchor
KTN News
07.2018 - 02.2024
- Presented a wide variety of news and current affairs materials for the screen.
- Added improvised content appropriately to deliver broadcasts on time.
- Assisted overall news output production by working with team members to deliver well-rounded, dependable content on air.
- Identified and developed relationships with experts and contacts to obtain tips and leads on unfolding stories.
- Used journalism skills to find new angles on trending topics, and create unique news programs.
- Coordinated and matched scripted, timed broadcast pieces to pre-recorded news segments.
- Analyzed current events and trends to create informed, relevant news content for daily programming.
- Developed strategic content plans that increased viewer retention and expanded audience reach across multiple platforms.
- Enhanced news credibility with thorough research and fact-checking of stories before on-air presentation.
- Supported public relations efforts by representing the station at community events and charity functions.
News Reporter
KTN NEWS
07.2018 - 02.2024
- Developed news content for publication, authoring over 5 articles every month.
- Routinely delivered articles under word limits, and within tight deadlines.
- Researched, wrote, edited, and reworked pieces on various current affairs topics.
- Appeared on live television broadcasts, reporting on the latest developments in court proceedings.
- Produced long-form pieces in television and digital publications.
- Conducted interviews utilizing various techniques to improve insight into Vox pop, face-to-face, and live broadcast interviews.
- Developed and edited digital content across various channels, including short-form and video.
- Wrote and produced compelling investigative and human-interest stories about celebrities and iconic news subjects.
News Anchor
Kenya broadcasting Corporation - KBC
03.2016 - 06.2018
- Revise scripts and prepare to deliver them on-air
- Deliver 6am, 1pm and 9pm newscast
- Interview guests and other members involved in particular stories.
- Introduce news correspondents reporting on scene and ask them relevant questions.
- Sometimes edit and rewrite news stories to ensure they are accurate and fit within the time and space allotment.
- Research and report on current events on television
- Provide the public with informative stories on educational and health matters
- Working with editors, camera crew and working with other crew members to prepare for the broadcast.
- Developed segment ideas that aligned with current events, driving increased viewership during broadcasts.
- Reported from field locations and wrote stories under tight deadlines.
- Developed relationships with sources and contacts to gain additional insight.
News Reporter
Kenya broadcasting Corporation - KBC
03.2016 - 06.2018
- Visualised complex ideas into compelling stories accurately, creatively and intelligently.
- Conducting on-the-ground interviews to gather information and explain events or situations as incidents occurred.
- Research and report on current events on television. Report on location at the scene of a story.
- Report live at the scene of a breaking news story.
- Working with editors, camera crew and working with other crew members to prepare for the broadcast.
- Developed and maintained relationships with sources, enhancing news coverage credibility.
- Collected data from various sources to determine facts and opinions and fashioned into cohesive story for television broadcast.
- Developed original stories and curated content from national news organizations to provide wide variety of coverage.
News Anchor
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
- Assisted overall news output production by working with team members to deliver well-rounded and dependable content.
- Identified and developed relationships with experts and contacts to obtain tips and leads on unfolding stories.
- Used investigative journalism skills to find new angles on trending topics and create unique news programmes.
- Read from teleprompters clearly and added improvised content appropriately to deliver broadcasts on time.
- Coordinated and matched scripted timed broadcast pieces to pre-recorded news segments.
- Gather information and write news stories, in addition to reading the stories written by other news reporters.
- Edit and rewrite news stories to ensure they are accurate and fit within the time and space allotment.
- Engage in live commentary about various community issues and conduct interviews of key figures.
Political Talk Show Host
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
- Source for guests for the show.
- Interviewing guests about topics of current interest.
- Engage with the audience and keep their interest throughout the programme.
- Prepare my own scripts, links and prepare program content with producers.
- Come up with clever ideas about a given topic or situation.
Television News Reporter
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
- Cover regular, scheduled events in addition to breaking news and feature stories.
- Maintaining effective contact with news makers.
- Check the accuracy of facts and contact experts or witnesses to obtain detailed information.
- Developed and produced compelling news segments, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of current events.
- Collaborated with production teams to enhance visual storytelling and audience engagement during broadcasts.
- Researched and fact-checked information to ensure reliability of news content presented on-air.
- Participated in editorial meetings to discuss story ideas and content.
Head of News
Media Stream (1Fm 97.1, Hits Fm 91.5)
01.2012 - 03.2014
- Writing and editing of both on air and online stories
- Uploading and managing online stories on the company website
- Cultivating and maintaining effective contact with prominent political, business, social, education, diplomatic and religious personalities and institutions to support the news function, portray a high image of the company as a news organization and also keep abreast of any developments which could have a bearing on editorial aspects of news broadcasts
- Managing of the entire news department's operations and other resources, in order to ensure effective delivery of the station's news products
- Controlling and directing all editorial activities and offering advice and guidance to the journalists, so as to ensure that strict adherence to the approved editorial policy, objectives, and set standards are followed
- Effectively managing and supervising the day-to-day newsroom operations
- Developed editorial strategies that enhanced audience engagement and increased viewership ratings.
- Coordinated with various departments to synchronize news delivery and optimize programming schedules.
- Oversaw crisis communication strategies, maintaining brand integrity during high-stakes situations.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for team members, providing constructive feedback to support professional growth.
Intern – New Reporter
Media Stream (1Fm 97.1, Hits Fm 91.5)
06.2011 - 12.2011
- Writing on air and online stories
- Editing audio clips for the news bulletin
- Assisting the news editor in editing news stories
- Attended press conferences to gather relevant information.
- Conducted interviews with community members to gather newsworthy content.
- Developed strong relationships with sources, resulting in exclusive interviews and scoops.
- Increased social media presence with consistent live updates from breaking news events.
- Efficiently managed time-sensitive deadlines while maintaining high levels of accuracy and quality control.
Intern – Entertainment
Xtra Newspaper
02.2010 - 08.2010
- Writing and editing entertainment stories
- Conducting interviews on entertainment in the local industry
- Supported editorial team by organizing schedules and managing deadlines effectively.
Intern – News Anchor and Radio Presenter
Pamoja Fm 99.9
10.2007 - 01.2008
- Reading of news on air
- Preparing news scripts to be used on air
- Presenting the Sunday breakfast show
- Preparing programme scripts to be used on the show
- Assisted in producing and editing audio content for radio broadcasts.
- Supported research efforts for news segments and community stories.
- Coordinated social media updates to enhance audience engagement.
- Engaged with listeners through live interactions, fostering community relations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Communication - Public Relations
St.Paul's University
Nairobi, Kenya01.2020
East Africa School
Nairobi, Kenya12.2008
Skills
- Exemplary leadership skills, attained while serving as the Head of news at Media Stream
- Excellent communication skills, gained through my experience as news anchor, senior producer, and reporter
- Newswriting proficiency
- Engaging storytelling
Accomplishments
- Emerged as a 1st Runners Up in Governance Reporting Category at the 12th Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA), 2024
- In February 2023 I was among 9 Kenyan journalists who were short listed by white house office of the First Lady of the United States of America and embedded into Jill Biden's Media team during her visit in Kenya.
- Among Kenyan journalist shortlisted by the British government to cover King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla's visit to Kenya.
Timeline
Presenter and Senior Producer
TRT World
01.2025 - Current
Television News Anchor
KTN News
07.2018 - 02.2024
News Reporter
KTN NEWS
07.2018 - 02.2024
News Anchor
Kenya broadcasting Corporation - KBC
03.2016 - 06.2018
News Reporter
Kenya broadcasting Corporation - KBC
03.2016 - 06.2018
News Anchor
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
Political Talk Show Host
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
Television News Reporter
Ebru Africa Television
04.2014 - 03.2016
Head of News
Media Stream (1Fm 97.1, Hits Fm 91.5)
01.2012 - 03.2014
Intern – New Reporter
Media Stream (1Fm 97.1, Hits Fm 91.5)
06.2011 - 12.2011
Intern – Entertainment
Xtra Newspaper
02.2010 - 08.2010
Intern – News Anchor and Radio Presenter
Pamoja Fm 99.9
10.2007 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Arts Communication - Public Relations
St.Paul's University
East Africa School