GUYANA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Statement from the GUYANA PRESS ASSOCIATION on the passing of Veteran Journalist Sharief Khan M.S. February 22, 2011
The Guyana Press Association is shocked and deeply saddened at the passing of another veteran journalist Sharief Khan M.S. (Medal of Service). His death in February is a tough blow coming so soon after the media fraternity mourned the passing of Clem David in January of this year.
Sharief Khan has always been a passionate advocate for free speech and expression particularly during the time that he served and lived as a journalist in Guyana prior to the historic elections of 1992. In the new dispensation he continued to pursue his journalistic endeavors with the same vigor and commitment when he became Editor in Chief of the Guyana Chronicle. As Editor-in-Chief of the Chronicle he still found the time to write columns
He has always supported almost program of the GPA and was unwavering in his loyalty to the fraternity. He assisted the younger journalists and guided them even during press conferences when his “sotto voce murmuring” would indicate to them that they were either following the right or tripping over the wrong angle.
We in the Press Association are extremely conscious that we have lost one of the most experienced journalists in the country and the Caribbean
Sharief Khan was an active member of the media for more than three decades, ever since the days when he walked into the offices of the late Carl Blackman at the Daily Chronicle and asked to be a correspondent from West Demerara . As Mr. Blackman, who was then the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper would later say, “That boy had an eye for news.”
He served as the founding Chief Reporter at Stabroek News from 1986-92. Khan also worked at the Radio Demerara Newsroom. He was a stringer/correspondent for the BBC, CANA , Radio Antilles, Reuters for several years, travelling extensively covering the news when and where it happened.
As a reporter, he preferred to cover the politics of the country and needless to say he incurred the wrath of many but cared little.
Over the last few years ill health including heart by-pass surgery caused him to slow down but he served in the Office of President until his sudden demise.
May his soul rest in peace
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