Recognize the power of the pen, says Guyanese editor

From left are Kenneth Gordon, Holly Betaudier, Edward
McDowell and Surujpat Mathura

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas 
Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent

Monday, November 29, 2004

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: David de Caires, Editor-in-Chief of Guyana's Stabroek News, has issued a call to journalists across the Caribbean to recognize "the power of the pen" and the roles they play in what could be the development of or the destruction of society. 

"The power of the pen can be mighty and if we dabble frivolously or provocatively we can do great harm to our society," de Caires said, over the weekend. "A truly good and professionally written newspaper is a blessing to any country in which it exists, helping to inculcate attitudes of rationality, moderation, respect and compromise."

The Guyanese writer made the remarks while he delivered the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association's (TTPBA) Annual Dinner and Awards for Media Excellence which took place at the La Boucan, Hilton Trinidad, where four persons were honoured for their contributions to radio, television and print media development in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean as a whole. 

Those honoured at the gala event were, Holly Betaudier, Surujpat Mathura, Edward McDowell and former Chairman of the Caribbean Communications Network, Kenneth Gordon. 

De Caires was invited to address the gathering on the topic, "Should the Media be Impartial and Responsible?" Noting that the topic is a rhetorical question, he stressed that media houses had a duty to report accurately and without prejudice while calling on reporters to maintain integrity by keeping his or her personal opinion out of a story. 

"Tell the tale properly and let people form their own opinion, never try to tell them what to think. It is patronising and highly unprofessional," said he. 

"As has well been said, a microphone in inexperienced or biased hands can be more deadly than a machine-gun." He noted nonetheless that a distinction must be drawn. "By contrast, one is entitled to express one's opinion forthrightly in editorials and to allow others to express their opinion in columns or letters to the editor or in discussion programmes." 

According to him, editors must take time and think carefully before they write and must be conscious of the regions multi-ethnic societies and be peace-makers and not fomenters of dispute. While there was room for error, there should be no room for recklessness and malice. The veteran journalist also emphasized that the media's only way of earning the trust and respect of the public was through top-quality work. 

He added that journalism is badly underrated, including by journalists themselves and especially in the Caribbean. 

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