Stout: Our goal is to cover the story factually while empowering audiences with information, so they can act and help. We’re not there to depress people with the news but to inform, so they can take meaningful action. (Photo: Low Yen Yeing/ The Edge Malaysia)
Whenever we tune in to CNN, Kristie Lu Stout captivates us with her poised figure, sleek hair, infectious smile and eloquent delivery. She presents the news with unmatched clarity and confidence. Options recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the renowned news anchor during her visit to Kuala Lumpur.
Stout’s towering presence (she stands at 5’10”) commands attention, yet she remains remarkably grounded. The Hong Kong-based correspondent creates an atmosphere of genuine connection, undeterred by those around the room who recognise her instantly.
Throughout our conversation, Stout sprinkles little anecdotes she discovered about us and shows research is vital for both her news segments and the people she meets. She truly takes the time to learn about those she encounters while demonstrating a genuine interest and leaving us pleasantly surprised by her thoughtful preparation.
Stout started her career in journalism in San Francisco at Wired magazine’s online division and has written on technology for various media publications, including the South China Morning Post, where she founded and wrote the Beijing Byte column. She was an early employee at Beijing-based internet company Sohu.com. It was during this time that she became a commentator on the nascent internet and technology industry in China in the late 1990s.
“After appearing on CNN as a guest, I was hired for my domain expertise in technology. I worked on a programme called eBiz Asia, a weekly tech show, while also writing for cnn.com/Asia. I was one of the network’s first multi-platform journalists when that concept was brand-new. CNN has given me countless opportunities to grow and learn, transitioning from a tech reporter to general news reporter, anchor and correspondent — and to be able to sink my teeth into some really meaty programmes and interesting stories.”
Anchored in news
“I’ve been with CNN since 2001, well over two decades. I’m an anchor and correspondent, covering Hong Kong, China and Asia on the global stage. I report from both the newsroom and the field on major news stories, including US-China relations, the rise of artificial intelligence and the aftermath of extreme climate events,” she introduces herself. Stout was instrumental in launching On China, CNN’s first regular series focused on the country, marking a groundbreaking achievement for any international TV news network.
“In addition, I host feature programmes for the network, including Tech for Good, which was just renewed for its fifth season. It is a feel-good show about the transformative power of technology, focusing on the next generation of innovators and technologists. It’s truly inspiring to see what young people and students are doing with the tools they’re creating to make the world a better place.”
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She is also involved in Marketplace Asia, a monthly business feature programme that profiles the top innovators in the region. She participates in several other projects too, including the Atlanta-headquartered network’s New Year’s Eve Live Asia programme. This broadcast airs live and uninterrupted from Asia, covering four hours of celebrations from the great capitals across the region.
“We start in Sydney, then move to Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. After that, we pass the baton over to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, culminating with the ball drop in Times Square, New York City. It’s a great day of programming on CNN, and it all begins in Asia.”
She certainly has a full plate at work. While viewers see her in front of the camera, they often overlook the extensive preparation that happens before she goes live.
“You always have to be prepared. When you get ready for a news broadcast or an interview, you have to be well-read. You need to know the latest stories by reading news wires, newspapers, magazines and seeing what’s trending on social media and what questions people are asking. When I interviewed Elon Musk a couple of years ago, I made sure to read his biography by Ashlee Vance. Before I met Anna Wintour in Beijing for an interview, I talked to fashion industry insiders to learn things I might not find through my own research. You have to cultivate sources to better understand the story.
“I always tell people interested in journalism and being an on-air correspondent that you have to have a passion for all aspects of the news — not just being on air, but also news gathering, research and cultivating sources. You need an insatiable curiosity about the world. Collaboration is also crucial because news is a team sport. You have to work well with others, learn from them and be generous with your colleagues. That’s just a little bit of what goes into being an anchor and correspondent.”
There is never a typical day in such a multifaceted role. She says that, recently, while reporting on the trial of the Hong Kong 47, her morning began with checking overnight news updates and tuning into the 8.45am Asia editorial meeting. It was all hands on deck, with bureaus across the region and all divisions — production, news gathering and technical ops — dialled in to discuss the day’s editorial priorities.
Stout then updated her notes and prepared for the court’s decision. She took a cab to the live location outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, while making sure she was camera-ready. The team positioned themselves and live reporting began. They continuously tracked the story, using sources inside and outside the courtroom, gathering videos and information to send back to the newsroom.
Live coverage was maintained throughout the day, culminating in a meticulously crafted news report. This report went through an approval process to ensure accuracy, balance and credibility. Finally, she worked with an editor to compile and release the report for broadcast on all CNN shows. This intensive process truly stresses that news is a team effort and cannot happen in a vacuum.
As someone from a multiracial background — her mother is Han Chinese from Taiwan and a strong believer in the concept of chi, a source of energy, while her dad is European-American. She remembers that when she first started working at CNN, the first piece of advice mum gave her after congratulating her was: Do not deplete your chi; look after it.
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This advice, a typical expression of maternal concern in Asian culture, resonated deeply with Stout. She realised that without maintaining her chi and health, she could not fulfil her responsibilities as a journalist, mother, partner, sister and daughter, on top of all the additional roles we have in our lives. “We really have to look after ourselves,” she emphasises.
“When you are in front of the camera, you’re giving out more chi because when you are on air, you are focused on delivering the news, making sure it’s being done in an accurate, balanced, credible way and in a compelling fashion to really bring that charisma to the fore. And that takes energy because you’re giving it to your audience.”
Sometimes, things do not go as planned in front of the camera. This month marks the 10th anniversary of a memorable faux pas in Stout’s career. “My colleague Will Ripley had filed a report from Tokyo about the rise of Japanese characters representing different prefectures. His story ended with Funassyi — the unofficial mascot for the city of Funabashi, described as rotund and hyperactive, with wild antics — making an appearance.
“At the end of the show, after tagging out of the package and announcing the next segment, I couldn’t get the visual of Funassyi out of my head and entered a giggle loop. The clip was captured, released on social media, went viral and was picked up by countless blogs, including the Japanese ones. Headlines like ‘CNN Anchor Loses It Over Japanese Mascot’ emerged. I couldn’t control myself, but credit to Funassyi for making such an impact. To mark the one-decade anniversary of that unforgettable moment, I think I’ll reshare the clip,” she says with a smile.
Spolight on success
Over the years, Stout has amassed several awards for her coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong protests and aftermath of extreme climate events. “One award that stands out is for our team’s coverage of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We received it in 2014. I was the first CNN reporter sent to Manila, and it was a ‘hit the ground running’ type of story.
“What made it memorable was the entire experience. When I arrived, I called my old friend Maria Ressa, former Manila bureau chief for CNN and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She generously came over and provided invaluable insights about the Philippines, the deadly storm and its potential impact. We were learning and reporting in real time, sharing with our audience just how devastating the superstorm was for the community.”
Later, she spoke with contacts in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and various governments involved in the aid effort. “They told us how they relied on CNN’s reporting to understand the extent of the devastation and the needs on the ground. Our goal is to cover the story factually while empowering audiences with information, so they can act and help. We’re not there to depress people with the news but to inform, so they can take meaningful action.”
Over the years, her work has received multiple News and Documentary Emmy nominations. In 2020, she and her CNN Hong Kong colleagues won Best Continuing News Reporting for TV and Video from the Association for International Broadcasting for their coverage of the 2019 Hong Kong protests. In 2018, Stout was named Best News or Current Affairs Presenter at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, and her news programme News Stream, launched in 2010, clinched the Best News Programme award.
“I feel a deep sense of responsibility and privilege. The power of the CNN platform is immense, with the planning, logistics and expertise to move people and equipment globally to uncover stories and provide crucial information to audiences, civilians, governments and aid agencies,” she says pensively.
“When something percolates, something is rising and potentially turning into a transnational event or pandemic, the network has been there to report on it — whether it was the mysterious pneumonia in Wuhan or the outbreak of SARS prior to that. This coverage has helped manage appropriate responses and prevent further spread. This kind of feedback highlights the significant role we play in informing and assisting the world.”
Winning awards are definitely high points in anyone’s career, but Stout says her milestones include interviewing influential figures such as Wintour, Musk, Jane Goodall, Yao Ming and Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. “However, I believe the most rewarding experience is working with the next generation through CNN’s multiple outreach programmes for students. For example, I’m speaking at the CNN Academy in KL tomorrow, bringing the newsroom to the classroom, so they can ask questions about best practices in journalism.”
Stout actively promotes the CNN Freedom Project, the network’s award-winning initiative focused on reporting on modern-day slavery that is affecting millions of people, especially across the region, and engaging students in Hong Kong and Asia for #MyFreedomDay. “It’s inspiring to see how passionate and optimistic these young people are about making a difference. This work is some of the most fulfilling I’ve done at CNN.”
She also participates in the network’s Call to Earth Day, a global initiative encouraging urgent action against climate change and pollution.
Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University and having studied advanced Mandarin Chinese at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Stout is also a lifetime member and mentor at the Asian American Journalists Association. As a correspondent board governor at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, she organises discussions, screenings and photo exhibitions as well while coaching students and early-career journalists through AAJA, CNN Academy and the Stanford Alumni Association.
Navigating work + home
The challenges she faces in the course of her work are aplenty, including getting people to open up and speak on camera. It takes bravery for sources to share their stories, especially if English is not their first language or if the topic is sensitive. “I’m always in awe of those who share life-changing moments or witness accounts of disasters or major crises live on TV. I don’t want to call it difficult; it’s actually part of a journalist’s responsibility to build trust and make sources feel comfortable enough to open up.”
Another challenge she faces is dealing with the relentless news cycle. Working at a 24/7 news network often feels like riding a tidal wave, she opines. Balancing negative news on disasters or conflicts with the human side of stories is crucial. It is important to focus on the social impact of news and to highlight creation and innovation, not just destruction. “That’s why I’ve been drawn to covering technology and innovation over the years; it’s fundamentally about thinking of ways to make the world a better place.”
Stout is married to Malaysian lawyer Seung Chong and they have a 15-year-old daughter, Arabella. They are based in Hong Kong but travel often to California, the US and about twice a year to Malaysia. “I love it here. We have friends and family and I’ve made sure our daughter grows up experiencing the beautiful resources and delights of this country, whether it’s visiting Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex for batik; exploring the Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Deer Park or Petrosains, The Discovery Centre. And of course, enjoying the food. Malaysia is such a colourful, beautiful place and we really enjoy coming back to reconnect with everyone.”
Being a mother to a teenager is a source of immense joy for Stout. She finds it wonderful to witness Arabella coming into her own, especially in an era dominated by Gen Z. Stout holds deep respect and admiration for this generation, which has produced influential figures such as Greta Thunberg, Billie Eilish, and her own daughter.
Gen Z, according to her, is characterised by its outspokenness, awareness of global issues and proactive approach to problem-solving. She finds herself constantly amazed and inspired by the young people of this generation.
Stout, who understands the power of technology first-hand, offers valuable advice to young mothers, particularly on managing screen time for children. She suggests refraining from giving iPads or devices to children until they are at least two years old and emphasises the importance of limiting screen time afterwards. While she advocates for digital literacy, she believes in making the real world more enticing for children through activities such as artwork and outdoor play.
Regarding social media, Stout stresses the significance of maintaining open communication with children. She encourages parents to monitor their child’s social media usage, engage in discussions about online experiences and create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
“I have so many concerns about social media, especially knowing that I have a daughter. Fake news, disinformation, campaigns that distort a young woman’s body image and self-worth, bullying, harassment — I worry about all of that. Thankfully, my daughter and I have open discussions about these issues. She has witnessed instances of online negativity and we address them as a family. I believe every school should facilitate such discussions, although some don’t. I wish there were more restrictions in place.
“Another concern is lack of sleep. We ensure devices are charged outside bedrooms. It’s essential to set boundaries to limit exposure and screen time. If possible, delay social media use for as long as feasible. Once they do have access, engage in conversations about their online activities, understand their perspectives and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing anything without fear of punishment.”
It is not easy raising children in a highly digital age but Stout, always with valuable advice in hand, seems to navigate parenthood as easily as she does everything else in life.
This article first appeared on June 17, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
