GPA reacts to Amelia's Ward accident

Guyana Press Association's Statement on Amelia's WardAccident
October 19, 2008.

The media fraternity across Guyana is deeply saddened at the tragicdeath of Ms. Akila Jacobs, one of Guyana's young and ambitious newsreporters. The Guyana Press Association (GPA) also takes this opportunity to prayfor the speedy and full recovery of the other members of the media whosustained injuries in Saturday evening's accident at Amelia's Ward,Linden.

Our prayers are with all of you in this time of bereavement andreflection among survivors and their loved ones.The death of Ms. Jacobs, a talented and dedicated media practitioner,came at a time when several media houses are confronting the dauntingchallenge of sustaining high standards, partly due to a high staffattrition rate.

The fact that Akila entered the media almost immediately aftercompleting secondary education and stayed the course remains a shiningtestimony of her love for the profession that she selected.Our deepest condolences are extended to the Ms. Jacobs' family,relatives and friends and to our colleagues at the NationalCommunications Network (NCN).

Ms. Jacobs' warm and polite personalityundoubtedly aided her accomplishment of journalistic tasks in adedicated manner-- a legacy that she has left behind for hercolleagues to emulate.Believed to be the first such accident involving media workers, thisis a wake-up call for all Guyanese to use the roads wisely.

Let Saturday evening's accident serve as a wake-up call for mediapractitioners to place greater emphasis on public education andawareness on road safety, for road accidents remain a leading cause ofdeath worldwide. Our only reward, as media practitioners, must besafer roads.