Above: Cecily Asson.

The Media Association is deeply saddened by the passing of veteran editor and journalist, Cecily Asson on December 15, 2021.

The PrincesTown born Asson was prominently known for her work as the South Bureau Editor for T&T News Centre (T&T Mirror, Showtime, Sunday Punch, Chutney Star) where she worked from 1982-2007.

During her 35 year career, the 1988 ‘Journalist of the year’ also worked for over 10 years at the Newsday where she retired in 2017. She was also Newsday’s reporter of the year in 2007 and 2015.

The 64-year-old is credited with mentoring and giving starts to a generation of journalists including Keino Swamber, Anika Gumbs, Anna Poliah, David Millette, Nicole St John, Innis Francis, Rishi Ragoonath, Myrna LLanos, and TV6 Sports Anchor/Journalist James Saunders who described her as the defining force and the most important person in his career as a journalist.

“Cecily gave me my first job in journalism, and like many of my peers whom she mentored, we came from an era where the most robust journalists emerged from her stewardship at the TT Mirror,” Saunders said.

” She was more than an editor. She was a teacher who would sit with you and explain the kernel of the story, of sticking to the story, the importance of having reliable contacts and sources, following up on major stories, and always writing from all angles.”

“Cecily would make you write a story ten times, so nothing sloppy would fly with her. There was no question of going to an assignment and coming back empty-handed.”

“Miss Asson once showed me a pencil and asked me to write about it with the principle that there is always a story, even if it looks like a non-story”.

Like many who worked under Asson, Saunders said he owes his 20-year journalism career to her.

“I met Cecily in 2002 when I walked into the T&T Mirrors South office fresh out of high school, still playing football, and boldly asked her for a job.

“She asked me if I had any experience, and I said no, but I could write.” She then asked me to do a sample and return it.
I found a broken-down house on the way home, wrote about it, and took it back to her the next day.”
“After watching her mark it heavily with a red pen, Cecily said this wasn’t something that we usually do, but this is pretty good, and I admire your boldness, and she offered me a job as a trainee intern on the spot. I personally never looked back after having her as an editor.”

“Cecily quickly became my biggest role model as she personally and meticulously worked with me from the idea to publication. As a freelance intern, she mentored me on the job.”

“I was getting stories published with a byline in no time until I became a leading writer in the South Bureau for three years before I moved on to radio and television.”

“Cecily Asson personally moulded me and so many others, and she lives on in our fraternity through her work”.

Asson is survived by her son and five siblings (two sisters and three brothers).
MATT and the entire fraternity owe her a deep debt of gratitude for advancing excellence in journalism in all her roles in the media and championing the importance of The Fourth Estate.