‘I am confident and optimistic that if we all give our best, Seychelles NATION will stand the test of time’ |28 June 2021
Robert Andre
A longtime and seasoned journalist, editor and currently deputy chief editor Robert Andre also joined the newspaper way back in the 80s.
With over 30 years of experience working for Seychelles NATION under his belt, I did not miss the opportunity to seek his views on the evolution and transformation of the paper that he has witnessed over the years.
Mr Andre firmly believes that if all the journalists and other staff members work as a team and give their best Seychelles NATION will stand the test of time.
Seychelles NATION: For how long have you been working with Seychelles NATION?
Robert Andre: This year will mark 32 years since I’ve been working non-stop for the Seychelles NATION newspaper. However, in all honesty, journalism was never at the top of my mind when I was thinking about what to do after leaving school. When I completed my A-Levels in 1981, I was offered a scholarship to study psychology in Cuba and I accepted.
However, after spending three years there (the course was for six years!!), I decided that this was not for me and I dropped out. It was while I was back in Seychelles and still undecided about what to do next that I came across an ad in the newspaper looking for people interested in joining a one-year course in basic journalism that the then Seychelles Polytechnic was offering.
I applied, got accepted, ended up being the top student of the group and eventually I secured employment with the Seychelles NATION newspaper as a junior journalist. That was in 1989. Over the years that followed I climbed up the ladder to become senior journalist, assistant editor, editor and principal editor.
When Nation Publishing changed into the National Information Services Agency (Nisa), I became director/editor. After that I held the post of consultant until recently when I was appointed deputy chief editor, a post I’m still occupying.
Seychelles NATION: Please talk briefly about the transformation of the paper that you have witnessed.
Robert Andre: Over the years the Seychelles NATION newspaper has changed drastically. When I first joined the newsroom you could still hear journalists and secretaries clacking away at their typewriters.
Others, like me, preferred to write our stories in longhand and have a secretary type it afterwards. Slowly, with the advent of computers, things started to change, making our lives a little bit easier. I remember the days when edited articles were stored on diskettes which were then sent to the printers where the pages were laid out manually before printing.
Nowadays, the whole process – from writing articles, editing, page layout – are all done electronically.
Seychelles NATION: During your time with Seychelles NATION you have worked under different management. How would you say this has shaped you as a journalist and now editor?
Robert Andre: During my years at Seychelles NATION I have worked under no fewer than four chief editors and they have all in their own way shaped me into who I am today, and to them I will be eternally grateful. I thank them for believing in me and trusting me.
Seychelles NATION: How would you compare being a journalist working for Seychelles NATION in the 80s to today?
Robert Andre: Like I said earlier on, in the absence of technology in the 80s, things were more or less done manually which was time consuming and frustrating at times. Also in the 80s the political system (one-party state) in place was totally different than what it is today and as a journalist for the government of the day’s mouthpiece, you had to toe the line or else …
Seychelles NATION: What would you say has been the most exciting times for you working with the paper and the most challenging/ difficult times?
Robert Andre: The most exciting times for me were, as a young reporter, I got to personally meet and chat with ‘important’ personalities (local and foreign) and visit a host of places of interest on the island.
The most challenging and difficult moments still remain the long and unsociable working hours that you have to cope with.
It can be very difficult to balance work and family life but luckily I have a very understanding wife and kids who give me unconditional support.
Seychelles NATION: Since 2010 Seychelles NATION has stopped receiving a budget from government. What do you think has kept the paper relevant and still in publication in spite of the advent of social media and other challenges?
Robert Andre: If the paper is still afloat today is thanks to a team of dedicated and passionate people who put their heart and soul into their work. Although it is true that social media has had an impact on the newspaper to a certain extent, at the end of the day factual, credible and reliable information cannot be compromised, and this is why Seychelles NATION will remain relevant for years to come.
Seychelles NATION: How do you foresee the newspaper in the coming five years with the challenges of the pandemic?
Robert Andre: Pandemic or no pandemic, the newspaper is here to stay and will continue to be the number one daily on the island and having said that, it doesn’t mean that we have to sit on our laurels. Competition out there is strong and the staff has to bear this in mind. However I am confident and optimistic that if we all give our best, Seychelles NATION will stand the test of time.
Compiled by Marie-Anne Lepathy / Robert Andre