By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterRETIRED SPORTS journalist Freddie Smith, who spent 26 years with The Gleaner, was one of three veterans who was yesterday honoured by the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) for outstanding contributions to journalism.
The other two were Leslie Miles, a former Gleaner employee who now freelances for KLAS radio, and Marguerite Gauron, a former Gleaner employee who is best known for her roving, rural news reports on Radio Jamaica.
The PAJ credited the veterans with helping to lay the foundation for modern journalists.
They are "three warriors of journalism who set the pace for many of us," said PAJ president Desmond Richards during the PAJ's annual veterans' luncheon held yesterday at Wray and Nephew's Spanish Town Road offices in Kingston.
But while he commended the work of the veterans, Mr. Richards was concerned about the welfare of journalists after they retire from the profession. It was time for the profession to take the welfare of journalists seriously, he said. He said the PAJ hoped to develop by late next year, a framework to start addressing the material and welfare needs of professionals.
"It pains my heart to see some in their winter years virtually begging bread. As we celebrate 60 years, I urge all of my colleagues to take the time to focus on how we can work together to attend to our welfare. No longer must we see colleagues who serve 10, 20, 40 years ...veterans who are paupers. We can do better. We hold our future in our hands and we must use it properly," he said.
WARNED JOURNALISTS
He also warned journalists not to allow themselves to be used or to be fooled into believing that persons target journalists because they like them. He said in the new year, the PAJ will be paying much attention to a code of ethics for journalists.
"We are calling on people to be accountable. I don't think it is a problem for us to clean up our own house and it is incumbent on us to take the first step," Mr. Richards said.
PAJ plaques and Wray and Nephew gift baskets were given to Mr. Smith, a columnist with The News, Mrs. Gauron and Mr. Miles, who was represented by entertainment writer, Basil Walters.
