It is an honour, punctuated with a deep sense of humility, that I solicit the support of all members of the GUILD of Newspaper Editors (GoNE) for me to serve as your Chairman.
I deliberately use the word “SERVE” rather than “LEAD” because I believe it is always an opportunity to serve my colleagues in a professional entity. I am not embarking on this journey for self-serving purposes but to awaken the sleeping Giant in the GUILD of NEWSPAPER EDITORS.
Thomas Dixon is a household name within the journalism fraternity and has risen through the ranks to the position of Managing Editor of NEW AGE.
I am a functional editor who has edited and managed several newspapers, including serving as Student Editor of Aureol Torch Newspaper, Consultant Editor of News Watch Newspaper, Editor of Salone Times, and Managing Editor of New Age Newspaper.
I am also a lecturer at the Journalism and Media Studies Department of the Faculty of Communication, Media, and Information Studies, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
I served briefly as Acting Secretary-General of the GUILD, where I helped organize the first-ever successful Guild AGM at Tokeh after its formation, and I voluntarily stepped aside to allow others to contribute.
On this note, I am contesting under what I call the GUILD MANIFESTO, which is briefly explained:
G – I will use my service to make the Guild GREAT and a force to reckon with in the Sierra Leone Media Ecosystem. There was a reason for the formation of the Guild. The former Executive Representative of the UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Residents saw that the Guild could bring sustainable development not only to its members but also to Sierra Leone through our pens. Therefore, I will ensure that myself and the executive make the Guild a GREAT institution, as envisioned by the SAHARA Declaration, and partner with other GUILDs worldwide.
U – No matter what, editors and media personalities will always have diverse views on issues. I will ensure that those diverse views and disagreements don’t break us apart, but instead, I will use them to bring editors together as a UNITED voice on matters of importance. My service will not discriminate against editors based on their beliefs or perceived leanings, but will ensure that, despite our varied opinions, our collective voice on issues remains strong.
I – My service to the GUILD will be done with a GENDER-SENSITIVE lens – INCLUSIVITY –, and I will encourage women to rise within the Editors Guild and the media fraternity. I will also take into consideration the disabled in the profession by helping to make the profession friendly to all.
L – My service to the GUILD will bring transparent and accountable LEADERSHIP to the organization. It will be a competent leadership that works for all and takes into account views that are critical, with respect.
D – My service to the GUILD will be one that enhances DEVELOPMENT through empowerment. Today, newspapers face an existential threat from new media and AI. These, coupled with the high cost of materials, have put the operation of newspapers and the job of editors in danger. To overcome this existing danger, we will need empowerment not only for editors but also for publishers. Editors must be empowered in digitization and modern management techniques. My service will look for opportunities both in Sierra Leone and outside to collaborate in training and exchanges that will empower and bring development to editors.
Colleagues, we have the responsibility to make the GUILD of NEWSPAPER EDITORS (GoNE) a great institution that will serve its purpose by considering this request that will bring out the GREATNESS in the GUILD, promote UNITY, enhance INCLUSIVITY, ensure responsible LEADERSHIP that will be accountable and transparent, and unleash DEVELOPMENT.
Thank you very much as we embark on this GUILD journey to awaken the SLEEPING GIANT.
THOMAS JOSEPHUS DIXON
