Up Close…with SBC chief news editor Marceline Evenor-Telling the people what they want to know |18 January 2011
The chief news editor, journalist and anchor has worked there for many years, having joined
She was more than willing to talk a little about herself, but even more about her job and how she got where she is today.
The single mother of son Mikael, Miss Evenor lives at Anse Aux Pins and celebrates her birthday on March 8, which coincides with International Women’s Day.
She explained that she ended up in broadcasting by pure chance.
“After my O-levels at Regina Mundi I did not really know what I wanted to do as a profession, and I remember tagging along with a close friend who convinced me to attend a talk the RTS was holding,” she said.
Her friend was very interested in working there, and they both applied, but ironically she was the one who got in.
At that time she had also applied for a course at the tourism school and was accepted, but she chose broadcasting instead.
“I still think about how my life might have been different if I had joined the tourism institution,” she admitted.
But she stayed at the SBC and after years of experience was sent for further studies from 1996-98 in Perth, Australia, where she did a degree in media studies. Her son, who was four years old, went with her.
After her studies she came back to work with the SBC, this time with more qualifications.
She was made deputy chief editor of the newsroom and in late 2009, when there was a change in the management of the SBC, she was promoted to chief news editor.
During all these years she has had to make many sacrifices.
“Working in the media can be very demanding and take most of your time,” she said, adding that thankfully her parents were there to take care of her only child when she was at work.
Now there are even more responsibilities and pressures as the job is very demanding and the audience have high expectations, she said.
There are also limited resources, both in terms of equipment and staff.
But Miss Evenor said they have to cope with the equipment they have, even though sometimes the end product – the news report – does not turn out the way the crew want it to.
But the SBC has a dynamic team of people who are more than willing to work extra hours, she added.
She admitted there have been times when she wanted to quit, but the fear of the unknown always prevented her from going out to look for another job.
Controversial and disastrous events, such as the tsunami in 2004, have helped to keep her in the job.
“These events give you the drive to do your best and bring the information to the people who want to know what is happening,” she said.
After so many years in the field, she feels this is her trade as she knows the job and what is expected of her.
And she still encourages young people to join the profession.
“Journalism is a good field, and nowadays there is more demand for in-depth journalism,” she said.
The SBC has the space for more creativity, and the audience has evolved with higher expectations, she added. And with changes in technology, journalists in Seychelles will not have to spend most of their time in the office.
Summing up what keeps her going, Miss Evenor said when people appreciate your work or give you constructive criticism it makes you move forward, which is also good for one’s personal growth.
Finally, asked if she will stay with the SBC until she retires, she would only say: “You never know.”
By Jean Ladouceur