Senior Broadcaster Odette Campbell will return to the Grenada Broadcasting Network in November to head the News and Current Affairs Department.
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Odette |
Campbell who resigned from the company some fours years ago is going back to her old job to replace the current holder of the post, Leslie-ann Johnson.
In an exclusive interview with GRENADA TODAY on her pending return to GBN, Campbell said that it was a good feeling to be back at the network that is controlled by a media outfit from Trinidad and Tobago.
She said that she has always been a people's person and was looking forward to working closely with the News team at GBN.
According to Campbell, over the years a lot had been invested in her locally, regionally and internationally and returning to the company will enable her to pass on some of what she would have learnt to others.
She promised to use her more than 20 years of experience in the field of journalism to help the younger journalists to develop their career.
In addition, Campbell is looking forward to enhancing the existing plans and programmes of the network.
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Opposition Leader Mitchell |
Well-placed sources told GRENADA TODAY that veteran newspaper editor, Leslie Pierre who is a member of the GBN Board of Directors played a key role in bringing back Campbell on the job.
The female broadcaster resigned from her position with GBN as Head of the News Department after she became caught-up in a major broil with ex-Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell over the "Briefcase" issue.
Mitchell had threatened to take legal action against the local media if anyone published/broadcast a report that he allegedly collected a bribe payment in June 2000 of $500, 000 US from international fraudster, Eric Resteiner.
As the News Director at the time, Campbell came under fire for her stance on broadcasting the story on the basis that the media should be free to publish newsworthy items without fear or favour irrespective of which political side of the fence is affected.
Bowing to pressure from the powers-that-be, GBN management decided to suspend her from the job for two weeks without pay.
Political activists of Mitchell's then ruling New National Party (NNP) branded the broadcaster a staunch supporter of the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NNP was booted out of office in the July 8 general election which Congress won 11-4.
It is not clear what role Johnson will be playing in GBN although she is said to be interested in remaining at the network.
Speculation is rife that approaches were made to Johnson by an individual with close ties to NDC to land her a job at the Government Information Service (GIS).
