The London edge: how Nine’s reporter Karishma Sarkari gives Australia the inside story

Based in London, Karishma covers the crucial Australian overnights, filing a mixture of essential pieces across royal content, politics, and entertainment. But her role is far more than just aggregating headlines; it’s about providing the unique perspective and on-the-ground context that only a journalist embedded in a world news capital can offer. We spoke with Karishma about the unique demands and immense satisfaction of giving Australian readers a true, nuanced understanding of the stories shaping the globe.

A whirlwind journey: the “don’t ask, don’t get mindset”

Karishma’s path to the London bureau is a masterclass in the power of timing and transparency. After starting at Nine as a freelancer and craving another stint overseas, she turned down a full-time role in Australia to pursue her international ambitions.

“My former boss loved to tell the story of ‘don’t ask, don’t get’ – before promptly telling juniors not to try to replicate it!” Karishma laughs. “What I hadn’t realised was they’d already been discussing having someone based in the UK. Within two weeks, it went from a hypothetical conversation at someone’s farewell to a job offer.”

The power of “boots on the ground”

While digital tools allow news to be tracked from anywhere, Karishma argues that nothing replaces physical presence when it comes to capturing the “mood” of a story. Whether it’s the somber protocol of a Royal funeral or the biting humor of British politics, being in the room changes the narrative.

“I think seeing subtle nuances gives you an insight into traditions that have existed for centuries. You’re able to appreciate the story in a deeper way and convey that accordingly.”

Equally, on the entertainment side of reporting, Karishma explains the access she gets to big name stars across screen and stage from Hollywood and Europe is not something that someone gets regularly in Australia.

This local immersion means that no two days are ever the same. Karishma shares that outside of the fact that there are no typical days working in the news cycle, her particular role is incredibly unique. “I’m the only one who works regularly across multiple teams. I have days where I work with the lifestyle team, other days I’m on the news desk and some days, I’m running the whole show solo through the Aussie night. So it’s really about being mentally ready to handle whatever the day throws at you from any or all angles.”

Bridging the world for Australia

Working the “overnights” means Karishma is often filing stories just as London winds down and Australia wakes up. Her secret weapon for making UK-centric news relevant to a domestic audience? A deeply personal connection to home.

“I’m writing it for my mum and dad, my family, and the people who watch 9News,” she explains. “They’re people I know; it’s not just a stab in the dark at what might be interesting to them.”

The landscape to make her mark

For Karishma, the profound impact of her work and the history-making events that she has witnessed and reported on, is not lost on her.

“When you nail the coverage of something as part of a team – like the Queen’s funeral, King Charles III’s Coronation, Harry & Meghan’s wedding, the Paris Olympics, many UK Prime Ministers, the inauguration of US leaders – it’s a satisfying feeling and some days you allow yourself to reflect for a moment and realise you were just part of history and how an event will be remembered.”

Nine’s unique ecosystem means that our people have the opportunity to pursue their ambitions, and make their mark.