MassCom Magazine

Newsroom Diaries brings you up close with the former TVJ News Editor, as she reveals her ups and downs along her exciting career in media.

While growing up, my aunt wanted me to become a lawyer, given my penchant for talking so much.  However, as I went through high school, I realized that I had a great interest in radio…particularly RJR.  I would make notes of all the announcers, their birthdays, names of songs and singers, etc…thinking that one day, I too would be on the air, perhaps as a disc jockey.

How it all began
My first step toward this goal was enrolling at the University of the West Indies in 1983. On entering the UWI, I did the required test to get into what was then the Caribbean Institute of Mass Communications, CARIMAC.  Unfortunately, I did not get in. Devastated, my first year was spent doing geography!

I got into CARIMAC on my second year at UWI, but the rest is not history, I can tell you, as on my very first journalism test I got an F! However, this inspired me, to the extent that I got an “A” on the next test.

Mentors at CARIMAC
I will never forget my radio practical classes with Mrs. Alma Mock Yen and Leonie Forbes.  Mrs. Mock Yen was a stickler for perfection, and I thank her for being like that because her training has put me in good stead.

First job at RJR…a learning experience
It wasn’t until March 1987 that my journalism career began in the newsroom at RJR. (Dreams do come through!)

My start at RJR was pretty smooth.  My first day on the job, was a whole new learning experience, because it was then that I realized what many of us didn’t know then--- that CARIMAC did not prepare you for the actual world of work!

I started out as a Re-write Editor.  I will be forever grateful to the then News and Current Affairs Editor, Janette Mowatt, who employed me, fresh out of university, and with no experience.

I had the great Terry Smith as my mentor/tutor, and a better teacher one could not have asked for, especially for one just coming into the business.  One of the things that Terry instilled in me is that in your work, “Kill them with excellence”.  I have never forgotten that. 

Moving up the ranks
I moved up through the ranks pretty quickly, until I was responsible for producing the station’s main newscast for the evening.  Some of the persons I worked with in the news room at RJR, were Clifton Segree; David Geddes, Patrick Harley, Cliff Hughes (who actually started out in sports then came over to the news department); Caswell Walford; Kathy Cooke, David Ebanks, Christopher Castriota, Jennifer Grant, and the list goes on.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at RJR (I guess so much that I have left and returned twice)
 

Left RJR for JBC

I first left RJR in September 1993 and went to JBC TV as News and Current Affairs Editor.  It was an eye opening experience. Coming from a private sector company, things were a bit..er.. different.  However, I never regretted my decision.

Tough times
The only time I felt like getting out of journalism was in 1997.  RJR had bought JBC TV, and all members of staff were made redundant.  When I reapplied for a position in the newsroom, I was told that my qualifications and experience were not in line with what they were looking for. 

I was pretty devastated by this, and started to question my worth as a journalist.  I guess the fact that I had just had a baby made me even more emotional at the time.  In hindsight, I am happy I received that response, because it allowed me to stay home with my son for seven months. 

Ironically, while in Florida in 1997, I received a call from TVJ asking me to produce some pre-election discussion programmes. I happily did so.

Returned to RJR
I returned to RJR as a Producer/Presenter in December 1997, and remained for one year.  I left for a brief period to enter the world of public relations with a PR firm, which was an interesting experience, and gave me some insight into the "other side" of the communication business. 

The challenges of PR work

Hmmm... the most challenging thing about working in PR? Trying to keep the client happy, and trying to explain to them that not every thing makes the news, and no matter how many releases/photographs you send, they won't always be used. 
 
I returned to RJR in May 2000 to produce and present Headlines on the Hour   Eventually I moved back to the main desk, producing the station’s flagship afternoon newscast. 

I was later seconded to the television news division where I produced the nightly newscast, and eventually asked to act as Television News Editor, and was appointed to this position in July 2006.
 
My most memorable experiences?
1. The effort and camaraderie of the news team at RJR, when working on major national events, for example, coverage of hurricanes or general elections.
 
2. In 1990, being selected for a British Council fellowship to go to the Thomson Foundation, University of Wales for a 3 month Broadcast Journalism course.

During the course, I met several journalists from all over the world (some of whom I still keep in touch with), and was also exposed to advanced technologies in newsgathering techniques.  And of course, the tours of the BBC, ITN etc were memorable.
 
3. Being selected in January 1996, as one of two journalists from North, and South America and the Caribbean as a Fellow at the School of Communication, University of Miami. I spent one semester going to classes, participating in discussions etc.
 
Most challenging experience?
Going to Haiti to work on stories one year after Jean Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a coup (1992).  It was an interesting trip...not knowing one word of French (well apart from oui, and s’ilvouz plait and merci).
 
Frightening experience in Haiti
When I arrived in Port au Prince, I stayed at a hotel which was almost deserted.  I later learnt that most of the other journalists were staying at another property, and luckily I was able to move.  With their assistance, I managed to get around and do interviews. 

I remember being in a supermarket one day, looking at items on the shelves to see the origin of some of the products (remember there was an embargo).
 
As I made my way through the store, I noticed a man dressed in full khaki, watching my every step.  I wasn’t sure if he was military or police personnel, but I did feel some fear/apprehension. I wondered if I was going to be taken in for questioning, as he was watching my every move.
 
The aspect of the job that I love the most
Being able to help younger journalists in the profession. 
 
Pet peeves
The things that irk me the most about the profession are:

1. Persons who get up and call themselves journalists because they write a column for the newspaper; or host a talk show.

2.  Youngsters who come into the profession with an ego so big they are unable to humble themselves and try to properly learn all aspects of the business.

The new job
I'm looking forward to the challenge of working in PR in the Government service.  It's a totally different environment, and I am aware that it'll be a totally different kettle of fish.

Being on the other side of the fence
Instead of being on the side where I’m trying to get the information, I’ll be on the side of where I’m giving out the information.  I'm also cognizant of the beaurocracy that exists in Government institutions and I hope my media experience will help me in this regard.  Of course I'm sure the team at the Ministry will also help a lot in this regard.

Why I took the challenge of working with the Security Ministry
Why the Ministry of National Security?  Because security is an area that affects every single person, no matter what, and I hope that I can play even a small role in helping to make things better.