By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
When entering the offices of the Inquirer Newspaper at the intersection of Benson and Gurley Streets in Monrovia, you are greeted with a bulletin that says, “The INQUIRER: WELCOME TO THE HOME OF ENDURANCE – We’re Committed SINCE 1991.”
I believe that the writing on the walls that stands directly before you like a tough executive security officer, which, I think could be the mission or vision statement of the institution, is the main force that is compelling the staff to uphold the legacies of the Inquirer’s founding fathers and keep the commitment to the rules that promote the principles of good and professional journalism.
The phrase “uphold the legacy of” is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is used to refer to maintaining or continuing a tradition established by someone, a group of people or something else in the past. For example, “We must always uphold the legacy of our ancestors.”
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; and paid special tributes to its founding fathers, some of whom are dead while others are still around; and promised its audience that it will continue to live up the principles on which it was founded some 33 years ago.
Today, I can bear true witness that despite the challenges of working through difficult and perilous times in our nation’s history, as well as working with governments that offer huge sums of monies and life-changing opportunities to some journalists and media houses, this paper has never swayed in its contents but remained focused and clothed itself with the attitude of professional journalism, which made it to gain the trust and respect of the Liberian people, as well as foreign partners.
“I exhort all of us to show fortitude and uphold the legacy of resilience we have gained since the demise of our boss, amid other crises,” the Managing Editor of the paper told her staff during the anniversary celebration at the main office of the paper.
While listening to Madam Winnie Saywah Jimmy, I began to process who Mr. Philip Wesseh was to this paper and why keeping his legacy and that of his forebearers is so important to all members of the Inquirer family.
The paper started building its image from birth, when the name “Inquirer” was on the lips of everyone, including officials of the Monrovia-based Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) that was headed by Dr. Amos Sawyer, for its stance on the Interim Government’s activities, and at the same time, reporting stories from behind the lines of Greater Liberia (areas that were controlled by Charles Taylor and his NPFL insurgents).
At that time, any journalist from Monrovia who ventured in Mr. Taylor’s territory, was exposed to mayhem, torture, or even death, for he or she was seen as a spy on the operations of Mr. Taylor and his NFPL organization, yet, reporters of the Inquirer risked their lives to cover places like Buchanan, Gbarnga, Kakata, and as far as Nimba and Grand Gedeh.
Despite these life-threatening challenges, the Inquirer had eyes, ears, and nose for the news and did not shiver to reach to the most difficult areas to get the news, and reported it with clarity and credibility. For the Inquirer, the definition of good news is that the news must make news, which all sides of the story must be considered impartially, making it accountable, balanced, and credible. “A journalist must have integrity and maintain his reputation and that of the institution for which he works,” Mr. Wesseh said during one of his informal lectures with us.
In her 33rd anniversary message to her colleagues, the Managing Editor of the paper, Madam Winnie Saywah Jimmy, said, “This is why each time we are celebrating our anniversary, we acknowledge, with special gratitude, the bravery, fortitude, and commitment of our founding fathers and first reporters; the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the most perilous time in our nation’s history to organize and work for this institution.”
She added, “We are very grateful to them and promise to keep the torch that was lit 33 years ago burning with the same commitment and fortitude they had.”
Madam Jimmy paid special homage to all fallen staff of the paper, especially Atty. Philip Wesseh, the paper’s second managing editor, whom she described as her father and mentor. She named Sarweh Doe, the Nagbe brothers, Ephrin Jones, the Wandas, Josiah Gargar, John Kollie, Emmanuel Eben, Wilmot, Tana Wokollie; Dio Vinton, George Peabody; Augustine Choloplay, and Emmanuel Nah; Sam Van Kesselly; T-Max Teah, founding Board Chair.
“Despite the challenges of reporting during the peak of the war, they performed to the highest standard of journalism, ensuring that their stories were accountable, balanced, and credible, making the Inquirer an institution to trust. And today, we are gracefully standing on the bravery, the intellect, farsightedness, courage, and more, the sweat and blood of these people, to celebrate what they started long ago. We are, and will remain, thankful to them and promise to do our best not to kill their dreams,” she expressed.
The senior pastor of the CHRIDA House of Testimony, Rev. Zobon Zolu, urged the Inquirer Newspaper family to maintain their credibility of being one of Liberia’s trusted newspapers.
“It is my ardent prayer that you remain committed to institution, a legacy of Mr. Wesseh, who spent his entire life to put the institution to where it is. We are following you religiously; if you do otherwise, we will not hesitate to remind you that this not the Inquirer we know,” he warned.
As Madam Jimmy and her team have pledged to uphold the legacy and the values they stood for, she and her guys should be reminded that all eyes and ears are turned and tuned to them and the spirits of their founding fathers will not forgive them, should they allow themselves and the image of the Inquirer to die like other newspapers in Liberia.
