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“Just look at the back pages of most of papers—or any of their sport pages for that matter—over the last few months. They have been packed with tons of fine T&T accomplishments.
“Why, I ask, are such beautiful and proud moments such as those wasted on our back pages versus that of the front?”
The following Letter to the Editor, which requests more inspiring front page photos from the daily newspapers, was submitted by Josie Ache-De Goulard:
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
I was born and raised Trinbagonian—like most of you—and will forever be a true Trini to d bone and will continue doing my little bit daily, as best as I know how, to keep our flag flying high.
While we are all quite aware of the gore that happens around us each and every day, let us all remind ourselves that Trinidad and Tobago has many positive blessings to be thankful for as well that are rarely highlighted.
We are a melting pot for culture and religion. Our Carnival is one of the largest and best in the world, we lead where many others follow. We are home to the steelpan, flora and fauna… etc. You can’t beat our Trini food: pelau, curry, wild meat, not to mention our mouth-watering array of street food that both locals and visitors flock for—with either slight or heavy pepper.
In recent months, I’ve been extremely proud to see so many of our athletes/athletic teams from many different sports representing our national colours with such pride internationally, regionally as well as locally.
Not knocking anyone in particular here as I have great appreciation for each of our media houses as well as each of their dedicated staff, who often put their lives on the line to keep citizens abreast of all that’s happening here at home.
(Copyright AFP 2017/Luis Acosta)
Understanding that our print media in particular, have got to sell their newspapers, could we not possibly find more positive front covers?
Just look at the back pages of most of papers—or any of their sport pages for that matter—over the last few months. They have been packed with tons of fine T&T accomplishments.
Why, I ask, are such beautiful and proud moments such as those wasted on our back pages versus that of the front?
The same can be said for many of the stories in the Features Section of the Express newspaper as well as the Life Section of our Guardian newspaper. Why are some of these wonderful images/stories not gracing our front pages?
In my humble view, a little bit goes a long way! In so saying, I recommend a more positive attitude towards our country versus all the negativity bogging us down in society today.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
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I suggested to my old comrade Keith Clement that the story of T&T stunning the USA (headlined PAYBACK) should have been on the front page, not the back. And he agreed.
It would seem that the only way to sell a newspaper in T&T is to have a front page story of murder and mayhem – don’t forget the gory photos
I totally agree
This folks is why I stopped buying local newspapers some time ago thank you for this article I thought I was the only one who felt this way
nice to also know I’m not alone in my thinking. Thanks for the support Andrew, truly appreciated.
Your sentiments are aspirational, but the reality is blunt.
If uplifting photographs moved customers to buy newspapers, vendors would turn the paper over to the backpage to sell it or turn it inside out to show off the pictures on the Features pages.
They demonstrably do not.
Aspirational thinking rarely inhabits the same space as business decisions, a fact that was demonstrated by the speed with which Newsday T&T abandoned its “Good News Paper” introductory clothes for gore and murder. Had the paper continued to soldier on in its mission of offering good news on its front pages without the constituency of say, The Catholic News, it would have failed in its first year.
The occasional good news story is great for sales though. When I ran The Wire a decade ago, we broke a story about three young boys who returned someone’s cash filled wallet to them. For a solid week, the three youths were feted by the nation and our initial story and its follow ups sold out. It was an exceptional human interest story, but it takes work and mostly good fortune to find those.
But we do know the answer to that. Sensationalism sells! A positive, uplifting, feel-good story may tug at your heartstrings, but is it enough to make you want to buy the paper to read the article?
Thank You so much Lasana Liburd!! You are a true Gem. ❤
Excellent Josie!!
Thank You Racquel! really appreciated.
good question.