SASHA & JERRY 13 (4)

The discussion on working journalists continues.

""Mike" I would want to separate Senior Journalists and Veterans ---hell it couldn't be fun working for a decent wage only when you have reached a ripe age, but that is what happens not just in Trinidad and Tobago but also the Caribbean. And I do know of a few Senior journalists who are qualified but does not have a degree and does an excellent job. I also know of one or two veterans, who are veterans because of age but has not grown beyond what they've learnt in the early stages of their journalistic career. I wonder what it means to be a Veteran after all, what's the real definition for this "noun" in other words... Oh well, what can I say...Tis even more painful those with degrees who does not display an ounce of intellectual might. Now that is very "Stupsing"

"I never said anything about novices being hired over Veterans "Mike". I said novices are being hired over Senior Journalists...and the reason is not to employ fresh talent but to operate on a low budget. Go into some of the so called lead news rooms or stations in the country and see how many Seniors are there to guide the younger ones.

"Novices are hired in such large numbers that the situation comes more like the blind leading the blind, and the few Senior reporters who are in News Rooms are stretched and cannot perform to their best. Granted you have few juniors who commit more than Seniors, but the experience factor that comes with being Senior must not be ignored.

"How many eyes do you think check a story before it actually makes it to the air waves "Mike" ---two at most, the assignments editor and the Head of News, but in most cases it is either or, see what I mean? That's why so much crap get out there. There is not even a strong enough editorial team in news rooms around the country. That's what you need your Senior staff for. Instead where a Senior can do the job of two novices, three novices are hired to cover more assignments...see the problems? More is not better. And if more in terms of stories is in fact better then the resources must be made available to have both your bulk of novices with a decent compliment of Senior reporters.

"And then you have the insecurity and attitude problem where some heads of news stifle the next potential head of news that is likely to succeed them, they behave just like the Regional political leaders who are afraid of rivals. Ask the media watch team "Mike" they will tell you that heads of news really do not allow their Seniors to grow and spread their wings. They then fall into other professions when it looks like they're going no where. Vexing, just vexing.

"And "Mike" it's looking like they'll have to create a link to read our pieces, we really take up a lot of space on the blog board...lol

"Anyway you come this path and show your intellectual prowess and you go see what go happen to you. However, it is accepted at age 45 -50...strange huh? What the hell does that have to do with anything. But to me that is how it has always been in the Caribbean. That's why the children in this part grow up much slower than the children of the US, Canada, England etc.

"See which part of this Region you find a 25 or 30 year old CEO, even though they can do the job they are not allowed this kind of exposure at such a tender age in the Corporate World as they may see it. The same reasoning applies to the rubbish that goes on in the media.

"As for Salaries...I think a head of news should take home at least $50,000 a month, an Assignments Editor $30,000 a producer of high enough rank $25,000 novices should just cool it, ahhhh what a vexing thing to say, but I really ain't sure what some of those swell heads should be getting. Some of them are forced ripe and they suck. You can't even talk to them. Stupes!

"When I was a novice, I was paid enough to pay transportation to go to work to learn how to do this thing ---it was not about money, I learnt the hard way, and was well groomed. I did not get paid to train, I paid my dues and is now heading into my second decade in this profession.

"Today novices are being paid to pay their dues and I think that is a HUGE problem."

"PW"