Liberian Students Urged to Become Journalists

Prospective high school graduates have been urged to make the profession of journalism their life-time career. He boasted that it is "the best profession."

Throwing the challenge to senior students of the Cathedral Catholic School in Monrovia yesterday, the Managing Editor of The INQUIRERNewspaper, Mr. Philip N. Wesseh said journalism is a noble profession that seeks to adequately inform, educate and entertain the people.

Mr. Wesseh said journalism is all about development, people’s welfare, protection of human rights, equality, fairplay, justice, tranquility, transparency and accountability, noting that the profession is the best because it is the multiplicity of other disciplines.

Elaborating on this, PNW said good journalism is that which emcompasses other subject matters, adding, "as a journalist, you must be au courant with other subjects matter to prepare you better execute your duties."

Speaking at a program on Career Week, organized by the Cathedral Catholic School Alumni Association for senior students of the institution, The INQUIRER boss encouraged the prospective graduates to choose journalism profession as a career because it serves as a driving force and catalyst for improvement in society. He said it also helps people to make decision and take an opinion on issues of national concern.

He said students should not be discouraged by the notion that the profession is not a highly paid job. He told the students that journalism has much immunities, respect and protection, and stressed that some of the benefits in the profession include fellowship, travel experiences, exposure and social respectability.

"A journalist can sit with kings, queens, presidents and very important people, among others. He added that a journalist will always have more access to these individuals than any other professional person. However, he said it requires the practice of good journalism to demand the respect of the public.

Mr. Wesseh said the profession is seen as being risky because it exposes the ills of society and the wrongdoings of people. He said people hate the press because of their wicked deeds. But urged the students to take courage in the profession because he said, it is only journalism that can save and develop this country.

The Career Week is intended to help help prospective graduates of the Cathedral Catholic School identify and choose a career as they leave the walls of the school. The president of the association, Mr. Bernard Jappah said it is expected that at the end of this exercise, students will be in a better position to choose their field of study at various universities of their choice.

The lecture continues today with two speakers including former Finance Minister Wilson Tarpeh lecturing on Economics.