-while on tour of company
THIRD FORM students of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School on Friday paid a visit to the Guyana Chronicle newspaper on one of many stops in an itinerary guided by their teachers as part of an annual school tour. The students were able to visit the various departments of the Chronicle’s operations, including the Editorial Department and the Press Room.
In the Editorial Department, the students were greeted by a staffer, who first welcomed them before introducing them to other Editorial staff present at the time.
He then briefed the students on the process reporters use in getting and writing news stories, and how news is disseminated.
Because of the size of the entourage, the Editorial Department was unable to accommodate all the students at the same time, so they took turns visiting. Thereafter, students were given opportunity to ask questions.
While some thought their host’s explanations were adequate, others sought added information; so the questions flowed, ranging from the financial source of the newspaper, challenges of being a journalist, and hours of work.
The issue of the Chronicle being considered “one-sided” did not escape questioning, as the students sought clarity in that respect.
In response, the host explained that the Chronicle being State-owned, part of the Editorial Department’s mandate is to ensure that the works and achievements of the Administration are highlighted so the public knows what is happening and what is being done.
On the question of whether other newspapers pose a threat to the Chronicle, it was explained that the paper sees it only as healthy competition in terms of breaking the best news first, which it is quite adept at doing.
Their host, nevertheless, explained that while part of the Chronicle’s obligation is ensuring that government-related information is disseminated, there is a fair amount of balance exercised in the process.
The next stop for the students was the Layout Department, an extension of the Editorial Department. There, they were informed of the process involved in placing an article in the newspaper, and what factors determine the location of a particular news item.
The students left the operations of the Guyana Chronicle satisfied with what they had seen and heard.