Scott Tong

Correspondent

SHORT BIO

Scott Tong is a former correspondent for Marketplace. He reported on sustainability issues (energy, climate, environment, resources) for Marketplace, as well as the U.S.-China technology relationship, frequently described as “fraught.” He is Marketplace’s former China bureau chief.

What was your first job?

English-language audiotape (yes, tape) voice-over work. Sixth grade.Taiwan.

What advice do you wish someone had given you before you started this career?

Show up an hour before the interview.

Fill in the blank: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you ______.

Gas for kid carpools; Washington Capitals hockey tickets.

What is something that everyone should own, no matter how much it costs?

Smoker (plus wooden slotted spoon).

What’s your most memorable Marketplace moment?

Sneaking into Burma for twenty bucks.

Latest Stories (1,339)

Immigration field hearing

Aug 30, 2006
The Senate takes its immigration field hearing tour to Colorado today to examine the impact of illegal immigration on state and federal budgets. Scott Tong reports.

IMF to give China more power

Aug 30, 2006
The International Monetary Fund is giving itself a makeover and one of the expected changes would give China more influence and voting power. And the Bush Administration is among those pushing for the change. Scott Tong tells us why.

FEC considers new rules for political TV ads

Aug 28, 2006
The Federal Election Commission could make a major change to the nation's campaign finance laws that would change the way political ads are funded. Scott Tong reports.

Kinder Morgan buyout

Aug 28, 2006
Ten years ago executive Richard Kinder left Enron and formed a pipeline company. Today the billionaire CEO is leading a buyout effort to take the publicly traded firm private. Scott Tong reports.

Pension bill becomes law

Aug 17, 2006
President Bush signed into law a pension reform bill today. It's got a series of 401k provisions that will get more of us socking away more of our paychecks — automatically. Scott Tong reports.

Earmark forensics

Aug 16, 2006
A watchdog group has launched a campaign to uncover which members of Congress are inserting costly earmarks into spending bills — and they want your help. Scott Tong explains.

News or commercial?

Aug 15, 2006
The FCC wants to make sure consumers know the difference. It's investigating the use of "video news releases" in TV news broadcasts. Violators could face steep fines and have their licenses revoked. Scott Tong reports.

The changing face of airport screeners

Aug 14, 2006
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he's looking to replace all contractors working at airport checkpoints with TSA staff members. Scott Tong explains what the move would mean.

Pension bill

Aug 11, 2006
Congress just passed a sweeping pension reform bill. Scott Tong reports on the changes in store for your retirement plan.

Different pension rules for different industries

Aug 4, 2006
Congress has passed sweeping pension reform, making it harder for companies to promise benefits they can't afford. But some industries got different treatment than others. Scott Tong reports.