Writing
Reported on location, this climate feature explores the impact of climate change on Malaysia's indigenous Bajau Laut community. The story includes original video and photos, used in a social video I scripted and narrated. Visuals from this report were included in SOPA’s roundup of APAC's top visual news stories in 2024.
It's easier to fly to Europe or the Middle East than between African nations. This multimedia, data-led story examines intra-continental air travel across Africa and the airlines and policymakers hoping to improve connectivity and accessibility.
Wildlife populations declined by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2020. This science feature explores efforts to build a species' DNA bank with cells extracted from animal feces.
Reported on location, this immersive multimedia feature article integrates video, audio, and photos to tell the story of a rare bird that has found a stronghold thousands of miles from its original home.
Wind turbines are tough to recycle, and amid a global boom in wind farming, waste is expected to accelerate in the coming decades. This feature highlights design solutions and examines end-of-life considerations for turbines.
This feature highlights Kamikatsu, a small Japanese town pioneering zero‑waste living, and explores how architecture, community action, and cultural values intersect to tackle climate change.
Video
The remote, 400-year-old village of Lai Chi Wo in Hong Kong's New Territories is trying to reinvent itself and attract new residents through agroforestry and ecotourism initiatives. Shot on location with on-air talent for a digital video and TV package.
This social vertical video explored the impact of climate change on Malaysia's indigenous Bajau Laut community. Working with a graphic designer and animator on the final concept, I scripted and narrated the video, as well as provided original visuals from on-location reporting.
The critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo hails from the rainforests of Indonesia. But a feral flock is now thriving 2,000 miles from home in Hong Kong's urban parks. Shot on location for a digital video and TV package.
30-minute feature shows
In these longer projects, I led editorial development and field production over eight weeks, from concept and planning to scripting and on‑air delivery.
CNN | Hidden Treasures
In this Hong Kong special of the 'Hidden Treasures' series, viewers experienced a day in the city, from a mountain top sunrise and breakfast dim sum to nightcaps at Asia's best bar.
CNN | Growing Bangladesh
With a focus on business and innovation, this show highlighted startups and entrepreneurs in Dhaka, including a female-founded ethical leather company, and fintech for farmers.
Special Projects
This multimedia interactive — recognized by the Society for News Design's 'Best of Design Awards' — uses audio, visuals, and text to immerse viewers in Indigenous communities’ stories and unique relationship with the environment while highlighting climate change’s profound impacts.
This interactive quiz and travel guide to Dubai for CNN's Dubai Now series takes a fun, engaging approach to provide audiences with personalised itineraries while showing the many sides of a single destination. I conceptualised, wrote, and researched the guide, collaborating with designers and developers on the visuals and user experience.
For Compare Retreats' inaugural "Wellness Travellers Survey," I oversaw the questionnaire design, data collection and analysis, in addition to writing, editing and presenting the results in a 24-page report with graphics.
Photos
CNN | Darumas are one of Japan’s most popular souvenirs. But where do they come from?
A travel explainer on Japanese history and culture, featuring original photography.
© Rebecca Cairns, 2026
Rebecca Cairns is a writer, editor, and multimedia journalist based in Hong Kong.