T&T is getting another weekly newspaper. The Voice will hit newsstands later this week, its editor, Alana D’abreau, confirmed. She is, however, denying reports that the new publication is linked to the People’s Partnership (PP). D’abreau told the Sunday Guardian earlier this week the newspaper which is owned by a private entity, Voice Media Ltd, has no political connections.
“It is a privately-owned newspaper. It is a group of investors who would prefer not to share their names, who would prefer to remain private. We are not aligned to any political party or group,” she declared. She said the newspaper is being supported by a group of local and foreign investors. “We have no hidden agenda. We are not politically aligned. You could expect good news reporting, unbiased reporting, which I think is so important in the media.”
There had been reports that Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) CEO Ken Ali and Sasha Mohammed, former adviser to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, were involved in the recruitment of staff for the newspaper. However, D’abreau denied this. She said Mohammed and Ali are not connected to the newspaper. “I have been recruiting staff as well as some other people. “It is certainly not going to be partisan. The public can look out from some investigative pieces,” she said.
Ali also denied any involvement with the newspaper. “I do not know anything about that,” he said. “What is all this about? I have a job at CNMG which is full-time.” D’abreau said the newspaper has a full complement of reporters, photographers and clerical staff. Former radio announcer Neil Ramdath has been hired as marketing manager, while former Newsday reporter Rhondor Dowlat and photographer Wendy Ann Duncan are also said to be on board.
The newspaper’s office is located at Old Southern Main Road, Chaguanas. D’abreau said a formal launch is being planned. The Voice joins a weekly newspaper market that includes The Bomb, TnT Mirror and Sunshine, the newspaper published by ILP interim political leader Jack Warner.