It is a privilege to introduce myself to readers as the new Managing Editor of the Pontiac Journal.
As I take on this responsibility, I do so with enthusiasm, humility, and a strong commitment to the communities this newspaper serves. The Pontiac Journal has an important role
in our region. As a community newspaper, it documents the life of our communities, asks
questions about decisions that affect residents, celebrates local achievements, provides a forum for different perspectives, and helps ensure that people remain informed about what is happening around them.
I came to Canada from my home country of Botswana, over 23 years ago; I fell in love with
and married a woman from Fort-Coulonge and I actually was a freelance reporter for the Journal for a brief time back then. Anick and I have two grown children, both graduates from Sieur-de-Coulonge high school and we live in Clarendon.
I bring to the Journal a background in journalism, research, public policy
and community advocacy. I recently completed a PhD in Ethics and Public Affairs at Carleton University, where my research examined the ethical governance of outer space development.
Throughout my professional career, I have also worked with community, labour, students, and non-profit organizations, experiences that have reinforced for me the importance of listening carefully to people and ensuring that institutions remain connected to the communities they serve.
Now, I look forward to bringing that experience to local journalism.
My approach as Managing Editor will be grounded in a few straightforward principles: accuracy, fairness, independence, curiosity, and respect for our readers. Local journalism is strongest when it remains close to the people. That means listening to residents, attending community events, asking difficult questions when necessary, and making room for the stories that might otherwise go untold.
The Pontiac is made up of diverse communities, each with its own history, priorities, challenges, and aspirations. Municipal decisions, local businesses, agriculture, health care, education, environmental issues, arts and culture, community organizations, and the everyday accomplishments of residents all deserve thoughtful coverage. So too do
the larger provincial and federal decisions that have consequences here at home.
As I begin this new chapter, I also recognize that a community newspaper belongs, in an important sense, to its readers. I therefore want to hear from you.
Tell us what is happening in your municipality. Let us know about the people making a difference. Bring our attention to issues that deserve investigation. Share your community events, concerns, achievements, photographs, ideas, and perspectives. And when you believe there is a story we should be covering, please reach out.
There will be much for me to learn, and I look forward to getting to
know more of the people, organizations, businesses, municipalities, and communities that make the Pontiac distinctive.
Here’s to a new chapter for me, for the Pontiac Journal, and, most
importantly, for the communities we are proud to serve.