As Newsday celebrates its 30th anniversary, we sit down with Damian Jones, the sub-editing supervisor whose passion and dedication have played an essential role in maintaining the newspaper's integrity over the years.
With three children and a career spanning three decades, Jones's insights into the world of newspaper editing and pagination offer a unique perspective on the industry's evolution.
A journey begins
Jones's journey with Newsday started from the very beginning - since the newspaper's inception.
However, his path to becoming a sub-editor was far from traditional. Jones' background as a commercial artist led him to work at another newspaper for five years, where he was responsible for colour separation, a critical role in the print industry at the time.
After forming close friendships with others in the field, Jones was spurred into action when a friend from the media house where he worked at the time was unfairly fired. He left in pursuit of justice and was soon summoned to Newsday by Therese Mills, then CEO and editor-in-chief.
Despite being underdressed for an interview - in a vest, three-quarter pants and rubber slippers - Jones was successful and started working in the pagination department, where he eventually became a sub-editor. Today, he not only does page layout and pagination, but edits headlines and overlooks content.
Over the years, Jones's role has evolved with the advancement of technology and the changing landscape of journalism.
A changing landscape
Reflecting on the changes in the newspaper industry, Jones expresses concerns about the decline in journalism as a profession. He notes that the industry has shifted from investigative reporting to a fast-paced race for information. With the digital era's rapid rise, it has become increasingly challenging to compete .
However, Jones acknowledges that Newsday has successfully embraced digital advancements, particularly during the covid19 pandemic. He credits the newspaper's ability to adapt quickly to online platforms for its continued success, emphasising Newsday's independence and credibility.
'The industry has certainly changed as we have become digitally advanced, and it is hard to compete with that. I think we have done very well, and I think covid19 forced us into that situation. If it wasn't for the pandemic, I don't think we would have succeeded as we have…we have done really well (advancing digitally), and we are still independent.'
Memories that shape a career
Throughout Jones's career as a paginator and sub-editor, he has encountered numerous stories and incidents that have left a lasting impact. One such memorable event was when then crime reporter Nalinee Seelal took Junior Grandison, one of the most wanted criminals at the time, to Newsday for refuge before the police apprehended him. It was a moment that highlighted the newspaper's role in reporting and influencing national events.
However, Jones also recalls moments of camaraderie and humour among colleagues, even in