By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
The Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper has promised the public that the paper will remain committed to the practice of professional journalism by holding high the standard and integrity of the paper, which remains one of Liberia’s leading newspapers.
Madam C. Winnie Saywah-Jimmy stressed that the Inquirer Newspaper will remain objective, credible, and balanced while reporting all sides of the story.
“I am forever grateful to all of us here for the way we conduct ourselves while covering and reporting our stories, I want to assure the public that the Inquirer will remain committed to the principle of good and professional journalism. We will hold high the standard and principle of this paper, and we continue to remain one of Liberia’s credible newspapers on the newsstand. I don’t know how it is happening, but apparently, the name ‘INQUIRER’ has an impact on the way we work, because of the professional standard this institution has set over the years, and we will not and cannot fail ourselves, our customers, readers, and contributors,” Madam Jimmy said.
She averred, “Taking over the paper was a challenge for me and all of us here because we were so accustomed to the way Mr. Wesseh embraced and treated us. So, for me to lead my brothers and sisters was a challenge for me, but over time, we all understood that we have a family legacy and an institution to protect.”
She noted that the content of the paper remains the same, paying allegiance to no one nor political party, but to the standards and principles of journalism, which is the hall mark of professionalism.
When quizzed on some of her achievements since her appointment, Madam Jimmy named the keeping up of the institution’s website and the timely payment of staff salaries as some of her accomplishments since her appointment as Managing Editor of the paper.
She said, “When I officially took over on January 3 last year, I was asked to ensure that our website be up and running, and today, our stories are actively on the website, unlike before when it would take a day or two.”
The Inquirer boss bragged that staff salaries at the institution are current and in line with the minimum wage principle of the government, noting, “I can say to you freely that no one here makes below the minimum wage as prescribed by the Civil Servant Agency of Liberia.”
“One of the things that we will do is to keep the legacy of Mr. Philip Wesseh well alive here, and the reforms that he was instituting before his demise will be implemented. I can assure you now that those reforms are in place and the institution is moving gradually, for which I am happy,” she said.
The boss noted that the essence of journalism is to ensure that the voices of the voiceless are heard, and to aid government and partners identify development programs and proffer recommendations on how those programs can be implemented in the interest of the masses.
Madam Saywah-Jimmy said she hopes to improve the institution and lauded the immense support of the board of Directors who are the driving force behind her success.
“They are extremely supportive of our work and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart; specifically, Roger Seton,” she said.
Madam Saywah-Jimmy called on all Liberians to join the paper in prayers for some of its staff who are sick and shut-in.
Meanwhile, to climax the 33rd anniversary celebration, the management is arranging a retreat intended to look at basic writing skills, financial skills, and administrative system set-up holistically.
