Priest urges Observer to keep readers thinking about national issues
THE Jamaica Observer continued its 25th anniversary celebrations yesterday with a morning mass during which resident priest at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Father Howard Thompson, encouraged the newspaper to keep readers thinking critically about national issues.
At the same time, the daily’s publisher and chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the newspaper stands the test of time.
“We have to lead and engage our people to know that it is not enough to hear what is happening, but also to ask themselves what they are going to do about it,” Father Howard said in his homily.
Pointing to the growing practice of spreading fake news, he challenged the newspaper’s journalists to continue ensuring that their stories pass the ‘truth test’ and congratulated the company on its anniversary.
Stewart, whom the priest invited to address the gathering before the close of the service, reminded worshippers — among them staff, advertisers, well-wishers, and corporate leaders — that the Observer started as a weekly in March 1993, then went to a twice-weekly publication a few months later.
“Due to the determination of the staff and the blessing of the Almighty God we felt endowed and had faith that this newspaper would prosper as a daily. I remember during the opening ceremony I said that this newspaper would stand the test of time,” said Stewart.
“Not only will it stand the test of time, but it will continue to develop as an organisation to follow,” he said.
Stewart also hailed founding partner and co-chairman Delroy Lindsay, who was also in attendance, pointing out that the former Workers’ Bank boss played a crucial role in the conceptualisation of the newspaper.
Both he and Lindsay, he noted, shared the view that Jamaica should not, as the largest English-speaking Caribbean island, have just one newspaper. In addition, the country needs another outlet for news, opinions and through which Jamaicans’ stories of success could be told.
“This newspaper is here to enlighten and protect the public. All of this is done with the belief that the mighty God reigns,” he said.
Stewart thanked the management and staff for their dedication and service and challenged them to make “the first 25 years a sample of what is yet to come”.
After the service, Lindsay lauded Stewart and the Observer staff for their exceptional commitment to the newspaper.
“Butch and I shared the same philosophical idea that Jamaica deserved more than one newspaper. It was nothing against the competition, but when you looked at other Caribbean countries there were multiple newspapers, with varying views, so it was only fitting that we started another,” Lindsay said in an interview.
“I believe that this newspaper will be around for a very long time,” he added.
Observer Managing Director Danville Walker said that it was a pleasure to know that the newspaper has been a witness to the unfolding history of Jamaica over the past 25 years.
“It has been an eventful 25 years that have spanned the coverage of super-star athletics and the maturing of Jamaican politics,” said Walker.
He also expressed hope that Jamaica would become a more fact-driven country in which people would look to credible sources, such as newspapers, for their information, instead of settling for “suss”.
“I am confident that the Jamaica Observer will last another 25 years, or even more, especially with the commitment of the chairman, founders and most importantly the Jamaican people,” Walker said.
The Jamaica Observer was first printed at the Florida Offset, a part of the Gannett group, which also publishes USA Today, in Miramar, Florida.
The first publication appeared on March 7, 1993, then three months later it went to a twice-weekly publication before becoming a daily newspaper on December 11, 1994.
From the outset, the newspaper established itself as a trendsetter in the industry by being the first newspaper in the Caribbean to print in full colour.