Naina Rao is a journalist & audio producer covering the Asia-Pacific.

I'm a journalist and audio producer based in Indonesia.

I currently cover the latest environmental and conservation news across Asia-Pacific for Mongabay, an award-winning environmental science and conservation news platform.

Most recently, I built and led the first newsroom for Guam’s public radio station, KPRG 89.3 FM. Before, I was a morning news anchor for Wyoming’s public radio station, produced broadcast features and breaking news for National Public Radio (NPR), and reported print & audio stories for NPR’s newsmagazines, ABC Australia, and Radio New Zealand, to name a few.

I was born and raised in Jakarta, educated in the U.S., and fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and Melayu. I love scuba diving and enjoy Latin dancing. I’m a Transom alum and a former Asian American Journalists Association's VOICES mentor.

I'm available for freelance reporting/production assignments across Southeast Asia, and tape-syncs in Indonesia. Reach me at npbrao@gmail.com.

Featured Stories

What are the rules? Scientist worried over a lack of a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining in Marianas region

The clock is ticking for the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam to weigh in on a proposal that could significantly transform the marine environment surrounding the U.S. territories.

Timor-Leste finally joins ASEAN

Timor-Leste, once a UN-administered post-conflict state, has been accepted into ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It’s a diplomatic coming-of-age moment for the tiny nation. It means the country will help shape consensus on trade, security and diplomacy in the region. Naina Rao explains what took so long, and why it matters.

The U.S. military is building its presence in Guam, driving costs up for locals

The continuing U.S. military buildup on Guam is making housing unaffordable for some Guamanians. Naina Rao has this in-depth report for NPR's flagship program, Weekend Edition.

Guam becomes staging ground for largest US Air Force exercise in history

Guam is transformed into a key staging ground for the largest U.S. Air Force exercise in history. Naina Rao reported on the magnitude of this exercise for Australia Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) flagship program, Pacific Beat.

Revised U.S. military environmental plan draws concerns from Mariana residents

The U.S. military is planning a major expansion on the island of Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Residents recently gathered in a school cafeteria to hear about the changed environmental plans the U.S. military has for their island.

Awards

2024

Public Media Journalists Association Scholarship Conference Winner

2022

Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) Journalism Excellence Awards Excellence in Audio Storytelling, News Feature (Runner Up)

Institute for Nonprofit News Awards Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism

2021

Public Media Journalists Association Best News/Public Affairs Program - Second Place

2017

Michigan Association of Broadcasters Best Talk Show - Second Place

Naina Rao

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