May 2021
Dr. Ibrahim Seibure
We are on a journey to reach an enviable height of media excellence. Even before we set out, we knew it was going to be an uphill task, but our resolve and conviction has been the tonic going forward.
Inherent in the brand name A-Z is the all-encompassing desire to run a multimedia print and electronics combined. We believe in fine journalism. That dream is intact.
Our first milestone, the daily newspaper, twenty pages in colored print started off some three months ago. We were ambitious- hitting the ground running to catch up. Here, we as your familiar readership can attest that it is bound for celestial height in spite of the teething problems we are trying to surmount.
I am pretty convinced that we all share the spirit behind our desire to respond to the need for media professionalism that is responsive to the evolving trends. Here is why we are convinced about the possibility of contributing to the development of a healthy media landscape.
Sierra Leone has been a trailblazer of media excellence on the continent. This dates back to the 1800s when we had the first printing press. The Sierra Leone Advertisers, African Standard and the Royal Gazette evolved to have attracted professional journalists-who came here to practice.
So we are venturing with a redemptive passion. We see the environment even ripe to invest in media for professional excellence. The reforms introduced now by the government of Sierra Leone to expunge anti media provisions in the organic law puts us under the obligation to be responsible. With this epoch-making reform, we are making a commitment to contribute to good governance and human rights.
Now, we are on the move, diversifying the print project with the launch of the magazine you are reading. The circulation is beyond Sierra Leone.
Moving forward; we are looking back lest we fail to learn from experience. The rapid decline of magazines in the sub region is a big gap in literary culture. This is our humble initiative to fill that gap. In years back our inspiration for journalism was fired up by the closer we got to West Africa and Focus on Africa magazines. If you can, reflect on the impressive writing quality in style, analysis and packaging of information by ace writers. This is a memory etched on our minds and we are aspiring to fill the void at this challenging time of doing business.
Leap -frogging to fill void in the post in COVID 19 context is risk prone. I need not share with you the cost implication for print and arduous task of gathering contents to have this hard copy. Our confidence to breakeven is you reading to continue to patronize us based on the quality of the material you should be feeling by now.
Make no mistake; social media in its transformative potential cannot dim the light in printed words. We always want to have the feel and smell of ink on glossy paper to take home, read and have deeper insight into a range of issues beyond the scope of newspaper and radio. With us, you are on top of things in the enduring notion that information is the power. Consider this therefore as a mutually rewarding trajectory beyond profit-making ambition. This is a social entrepreneurial venture you can be proud of as a truly Sierra Leonean with passion to showcase long nurtured literary and fine journalistic heritage. With your support to buy and advertise with us, the quarterly routine will be sustained and you will learn a lot from the package.
As you reap the fruit of the second seed, you can be rest assured that the third and fourth seeds are sprouting up to be grasped in the airwaves. That is the point of arrival- when A-Z would have its completed form- newspaper, magazine, radio and television for you.
Let me conclude by reassuring you of fairness, as a necessary ingredient to strengthen democracy, national stability and sustainable development.
May God bless our collective efforts!