By Precious D. Freeman
A former reporter and editor at the Post Standard in Syracuse, New York, Maureen Sieh, has cautioned journalists to report more on issues, observing that the issues that affect the people should be more concerning to the media, rather than the few dollars from politicians.
“Our stories should focus on issues that affect the ordinary people. We should ask Ma Lorpu in the market or Pa Flomo on his farm on how she or he is benefiting from the budget that was passed. Are there medicines in the clinics, or are there chairs and teachers in the schools in their communities? Let us look at sanitation, let’s discuss health, let’s discuss the bread-and-butter issues with them, and leave the politicians to politics,” Madam Sieh said.
She pointed out, “I am disappointed in our present-day media. Our headlines are weak because we are not capturing the people and issues that make news, but are rather running behind politicians for little or nothing. We have to rethink, let us strategize on what we report- the ordinary people and their wellbeing.”
“I want you all reporters to know that issues that affect the citizens matter a lot, and whenever you receive money from a politician in the name of quenching a story, then you are sacrificing the safety and security, health, education, and development of the Liberian people,” Sieh said.
The well-versed journalist averred, “Most of our ‘these days’ journalists, both print and electronic, focus on reporting about politics and forget to report on the betterment of the citizens, which is wrong. If we want to remain the voice of the voiceless, we have to keep the voice of the voiceless on the table and not the other way around”
“Talk about other issues and not only about politics, report on matters that will benefit the citizens and the nation at large, make a story list, don’t miss a portion of your calculations, and include the citizens in your daily reports; it will help to rebrand the newspaper,” she advised.
She also cautioned Inquirer reporters not to depend only on gadgets because it will fail them, but they should rather make use of their notepads by jotting down points which will help to save their information whenever they come from the field.
She described journalism as a delicate and difficult profession that requires people who are dedicated, hardworking, focused, and persistent, to ensure that the full story is reported, noting, “You have to remain focused, persistent, and have eyes, ears, and nose for the news. This is not a “guess what” profession. There is never a shortage for news. There are issues in the community to be reported but you have to work hard to look for them. So, I want to encourage all of you that if you want to rebrand this institution, you must work hard.”
Madam Sieh advised journalists to remain focused, ethical, and credible in the discharge of their duties, and at the same time, apply the ‘Do No Harm’ principle, saying, “There is no news worth dying for. So, if you think that this story or that issue will put you in harm’s way, remember that your safety matters.”
However, Madam Sieh has praised the Inquirer family for keeping the bond of friendship and family care within the institution, observing that unity brings love, joy, and togetherness, which help to create a fertile ground for a good working environment.
She noted that if people who work on the same team are united, despite their diversity, their output would increase, which would bring about a stronger and better team and will, in turn, make the institution more productive.
She made the remarks over the weekend at Silver Beach, Duazon, Robertsfield Highway, where she served as one of the facilitators at the Inquirer Newspaper’s two-day retreat, which was intended to climax their 33rd anniversary.
On Monday, January 15, 2024, the Inquirer Newspaper celebrated 33 years since it was founded, with a vow to uphold the legacy of the institution.
During the celebration, the Managing Editor, Madam Winnie Saywah Jimmy, paid special tributes to its founding fathers, some of whom are dead while others are still around; and promised that the Inquirer will continue to live up the principles on which it was founded more than three decades ago.
