Amandala Online hits the markets today with a new look and improved navigational features. In line with its hard copy version, the online menu offers breaking news documented by experienced reporters. New menu options that include International and Opinions provide readers with multiple perspectives on groundbreaking news and issues both at home and abroad.
Overview of Amandala’s History
Amandala has certainly come a long way from its initial modest beginnings in 1969 when it began as a stenciled spreadsheet given out by members and supporters of UBAD (United Black Association for Development) in the streets of Belize City. After UBAD published the third issue, it sold the paper for five cents a copy. The newspaper was published on Thursdays and dated and sold on Fridays. Today, the Amandala reaches, on a weekly basis, approximately 14,000 readers through its Tuesday and Friday editions, making it “Belize’s Leading Newspaper”. Its widespread success is often contributed to its high quality reporting and grassroots support for a newspaper that always has championed the cause of the poor.
Over the years, that support has spread to all sectors in the country, and Belizeans depend on the Amandala for not only its reporting integrity and home-grown and international news, but for what are considered, controversial but telling perspectives in the “Editorial” and “From the Publisher”. The diversity of other contributions written by several columnists constitutes a full range of perspectives.
Among the regular contributors are: Charles Hyde, Sr., who writes provocatively on issues in “Ideas and Opinions”; sports editor, Le Roi Hyde, who captures and details the excitement of matches; Frankie Rhys, who examines, at times satirically, current issues ranging from education to politics; Smokey Joe (Selvin Wade), who examines the questionable values we hold as Belizeans; Henry Gordon, who integrates Biblical and current affairs in his perspectives; Arifah Lightburn, who comments entertainingly and incisively through her pieces; Russell Vellos, editor, who provokes us to action with his food for thought; Adele Ramos, assistant editor, who writes analytically on breaking news; Yaya Marin Coleman, who writes on cultural and environmental pieces; and Clinton Uh Luna, who in his letters to the editor challenges readers to understand their histories and socio-political stances and activism. I also have been contributing weekly essays since June of this year on a wide variety of subjects.
News reporters Keisha Milligan and Anita Nembhard cover nationwide news. And the technological savvy of Deshan Swasey and Victoria Tun come to the fore as they work with the design and the layout of the newspaper, packaging rather professionally, the newspaper. Natalie McKenzie, secretary and receptionist, and Odessa Robinson Smith, compositor, keep the front desk moving efficiently, and printers Edward Brown and Kent Brooks are at the heart of production along with manager, Jason Barrera. Lithographers, Cassian Glenn and Shedrack Dominguez, work their weekly magic. And, the behind the scenes proofing skills of Nelson O. Hyde and Cassian Aspinall with that of Evan X Hyde, Sr. ensure quality control.
Online Strides
Amandala’s visionary business manager, Mrs. Jacinta Hyde Garnett, has never been one to sit on her laurels. She analyzed the need to revisit the website to improve its capabilities because many Belizeans at home and abroad depend on this version of the Amandala’s news. Thus, the redesigned online version is tied closely to Amandala’s mission to provide continuously top quality services to all readerships.
With this in mind, I worked closely as consultant for the Amandala, with young entrepreneurs, Jovan Guerrero, Managing Director, and Ian Perera, Project Director of Global Marketing, a full service Internet marketing firm based in Belize City, that offers marketing solutions for both corporate and small businesses. Working to meet Amandala’s vision, Global Marketing redesigned the website to improve readers’ online voyages as they navigate the website.
Amandala, recognizing that readers—who include researchers and students—often find it useful to have immediate access to archived and recent articles, is even right now working assiduously to upgrade its database to better serve its readers, a process that is almost completed. One feature of the website will run, continuously, the latest edition of the newspaper.
Other Features and Local & Global Marketing
In addition to the expanded menu options that bring to online readers breaking news via expanded categories and article link searches, other features include a re-conceptualized and eye pleasing color scheme, calendar, voting poll designed to elicit readers’ feedback on critical issues, and an opportunity for industries to advertise company, products, and trends.
In detail, the new product design has improved article and archival searches, features to email articles to friend, a voting poll, features for readers to rate and print articles, and one that allows for post discussion on articles. The new website also now makes it easier for readers to subscribe to the Amandala.
For businesses and individuals interested in marketing their products, attractively placed banner spaces are available for advertisers to optimize their marketing goals. Rates will soon be announced so that advertisers can become a part of this exciting move by Amandala to serve the corporate community.
Advertising corporations, middle-and-small sized businesses through the Amandala Online can continue to expand their business networks and successfully impact their organizations. In a world shrunken by technology, online advertising allows for greater interaction.
The Amandala Online has taken in consideration the needs of small businesses and of individuals who want to advertise via its online version, and now offers that service to customers who want to obtain greater coverage via its Online Classifieds. Look out for further notices on this new feature.
Amandala, Media House with You in Mind
The world of media has changed drastically over the years to bring to the public, almost instantaneously, groundbreaking news spanning the world over, and in many languages. Amandala, within this context, constantly works to serve its readers’ needs and requests. It recognizes that as a country still breaking into a technological world, its goal to keep up with technological innovations will have to consider various elements of the online version of the newspaper business. That is, hard reporting, quality writing, and technological formats in its website design—the formats of online newspaper versions are somewhat different from those of hard copy versions.
In summary, Amandala’s recognizes that this new look, inclusive added features, is a new beginning that must be constantly worked at and maintained. Given the past and current successes of the Amandala, however, there is no doubt that it will meet, resoundingly, online success.
(Ed. NOTE: Dr. Tun has not mentioned the newspaper’s list of permanent, professional collators led by Charles “Bigga” Myles, Evan “Porque” Mitchell and Kareem Flowers.)