Burnout time for Chugani

Veteran TV host and journalist Michael Chugani is taking a break to think about the "red line" of reporting and will no longer host programs for TVB, including Straight Talk, or write columns for local newspapers.

"Hong Kong has changed, people must change also," Chugani told The Standard, "and we must be extra careful to make sure we do not cross the red lines - the new red lines.

"So I will sit back for a little while to think about my next step, but I will be resting in the meantime."

The Indian-American, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, said the idea to bow out occurred to him last week as he reached a burnout point after working for years without a break.

"I feel like I lack motivation and inspiration for my work," he said. "I'm sitting in front of my computer and cannot come up with what to write."

He is planning to return to the United States but will remain in Hong Kong for at least a month or two.

He intends to hike and to improve his culinary skills - something he has not done for years.

However, Chugani denies he is retiring.

"There is no retirement for journalists," he argues. "If something new or interesting comes up I will consider it, but I remain undecided for now."

Chugani has been an outspoken critic of the government since the anti-fugitive bill movement.

He has been a journalist since the 1970s, and joined The Standard as an editor in the 1990s.

For five years until February 2007 he was editor-in-chief of ATV's English News and Current Affairs Department.

He later joined TVB and has hosted Straight Talk since. He also hosted an English learning program, News Watch English, for the broadcaster and wrote columns for local newspapers.

Although he will cease hosting programs and writing commentaries for newspapers, he will continue to write a column, teaching English for Headline Daily readers.