Chairman of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Mr. Keith Burrowes, accompanied by several other members of the board of directors, last Thursday met with staff in an interactive session geared at producing a better paper. “We want to enhance content, [and] we will go around doing that by having training sessions for staff members among other initiatives,” the Chairman stated.
One such initiative, he outlined was to create greater synergy in the beat system, wherein beat reporters would also learn to work in areas complementary to which they are primarily assigned. He disclosed that he would also be looking at bringing on in-house researchers, attached to the editorial department, to assist in finding the necessary background information to add more contextual dimension to news stories.
With regard to building on current successful initiatives, Burrowes stated that “A whole number of initiatives similar to the Mastermind Quiz will be implemented.”
The Mastermind Quiz is an online initiative, integrated into the paper’s website, designed stimulate thinking, problem solving, and which offers general practice to fifth and sixth Graders. Burrowes told the meeting that there is scope to further develop the game, thereby making it more interactive for children the world over, including those in places like Toronto, New York and the Metropolis.
“One such idea,” he postured, “is the addition of webcam tools and applications so that children could compete with each other while seeing each other.”
The game has to date attracted scores of children from all across the country, and so far, an average of 4000 questions have been recorded.
In addressing the controversies surrounding the content being carried in the publication, the Chairman stated that despite the perception that the paper’s editorial content favours the Peoples Progressive Party Administration, the Chronicle will continue to carry developmental stories that are being undertaken within Guyana.
Burrowes stated that he has no concern for criticism with regard to the paper reporting on government initiatives, reiterating the fact that the paper’s main shareholder is the Government of Guyana.
“If there is an opening of a new school we will carry it, and we will continue to carry developmental stories,” he stressed. He urged that in order to avoid allegations of bias and unprofessionalism in the execution of their duties, that reporters refamiliarise themselves with the core ethical principles of their craft. In closing, the chairman also went into the works being undertaken by the board in terms of enhancing the capacity of the staff though regular meetings and training sessions.