Christmas through the eyes of a journalist.
If you were to take a stroll into a newsroom in Guyana, perhaps one in the print media, then there are some attention-grabbing features you would notice; lots of coffee, journalists striking away their keyboards like pianists souped-up on three red bulls, land line and cell phones constantly ringing, lots of shouting etc. It is a high paced environment and during the Christmas season, everything moves even faster for the life of a journalist. In this edition of the Guyana Inc Magazine, we interviewed Kaieteur News journalist, Kiana Wilburg, to solicit her perspective on Christmas and how it affects her life and profession. Wilburg stated, “Christmas is just days away, and I can assure you, I have not been able to do any shopping for those out-of-theordinary gifts for friends, colleagues at work, family or my fiancé. My Christmas cleaning is far from getting started. And let’s not talk about the shopping I am yet to do for groceries.” The member of the press continued, “Indeed, I am far behind. But it’s all due to the fact that life as a journalist during the Christmas season turns into a tornado of extra work; a tsunami of assignments; with a heavy overcast of LITTLE TIME FOR YOURSELF. And that is perhaps putting it lightly.” The Journalist, who specializes in political and financial reporting, asserted that during the Christmas season, the country pulsates with a number of new developments that can be seen as a good and bad. She said that businesses are booming with the Christmas sales and it’s the job of a journalist to keep the public informed about where to get the smart deals and where the shortages exist.
She noted that consumer spending increases and it is also the job of a journalist to monitor the fiscal behavioral patterns during this time. The 24-year-old disclosed that crimes of all forms increase unfortunately and the job once again dictates that she and her colleagues at Kaieteur News monitor those trends, report on them and hold the Public Security Ministry accountable for implementing an effective crime fighting and safety strategy for consumers. She said, “Then there are various budget agencies which host their end of year press conferences, all of which have to be covered and reported on in a timely manner. It literally becomes a race that burns you out mentally, physically and emotionally more than any other time of the year.”
Wilburg stated that in between the limited time during the day, reporters have to become jugglers and magicians, to sneak in an hour the most, if they are lucky, to hurry through Christmas shopping, be it for groceries or gifts and head back to the office in time to complete more stories; then they are off again to the next assignment. She said, “In many instances, this type of hurrying has seen me overpaying for items at the grocery store or the local markets, forgetting my bags in cabs, purchasing the wrong items, forgetting to buy the products that I actually need or worse.’
But those trials and tribulations aside, Wilburg said that the Christmas season is perhaps her favourite. She added, “And I look forward to this sort of “sweet punishment” every year. During this time of the year, journalists get to reconnect with the public in a much more compassionate or humanitarian way; a way that reminds you that at the end of the day, you are your brother’s keeper, that there is profound power in the gift of sharing and practicing love for thy neighbor.” The jovial young woman opined that having the power and ability to record the happiness of families, children at orphanages or mothers who give birth to Christmas babies, is a break most journalists often look forward to. She said, “And at Kaieteur News, the love for our colleagues, which is always there, just overflows. The camaraderie between colleagues is heightened. We work harder together and longer nights; drink together; feed each other and decorate the office together.” Wilburg added, “Most of all, our Publisher Glenn Lall always knows how to make his employees smile from ear to ear into the New Year with his unbeatable and marvelous gifts. I can’t wait to see what I get this year (chuckles).” The Journalist commented that indeed the adrenaline rush this season is one that she has a love-hate relationship with. She confidently stated however, “I wouldn’t trade it for all the tea in China.” The Guyana Inc Magazine wishes this Kaieteur News journalist all the best with her Christmas shopping this year.