States’ online newsletter gets a Jersey name

The States’ online newsletter has been given a new Jèrriais name.

 

More than 7,000 people have signed up to get the newsletter, which provides updates on States information and events, since it was launched in January. It was recognised that a name was needed that reflected the publication, and would help engage readers.

 

A competition to find a new name was launched and, from 112 entries, the name Lé Messagi was chosen. Editor Charlene Symons said: “We think that ‘The Messenger’ in Jèrriais reflects what we want the newsletter to do: deliver useful information to Islanders in a modern and cost-effective way. The name suits our branding, tone of voice and helps raise the profile of the Island’s language.

 

“With more than 12,000 pages and documents on gov.je alone, the States has so much information available online that it can be overwhelming. The newsletter’s objective is to highlight information that readers will find useful, but wouldn’t necessarily search for online.”

 

Lé Messagi includes articles on events, important deadlines, and more general information that readers might find useful. Each article links through to a States web page, enabling readers to click straight through to the information.

 

 

Offici du Jèrriais (Jèrriais language officer), Tony Scott Warren, said “The best way that we can keep such a highly endangered language alive is by making sure that people are aware of it, and the best way to do that is to put it in the public eye as much as possible. Making the title of the States newsletter Jèrriais is a good way of doing that, so we very much welcome the title Lé Messagi.”

 

Web Services Manager Marcus Ferbrache said “In the next 12 months Islanders will start to see new and improved online services which we aim to be more convenient to use than the traditional ways of contacting States departments. The newsletter initiative is one way to encourage people to use our online channels in preference to telephone or in-person enquiries, which is key to reducing waiting times and making the States of Jersey more efficient.

 

“When Islanders need to find out information from government, apply for a service or pay a bill we hope they will choose to use www.gov.je where they can do so at the time that suits them, day or night. We are working to improve the way the site works on smartphones and tablets, too, so that users can access the site on their device of choice.”

 

The name Lé Messagi was suggested by Carla Butler, who won two tickets to see comedian Sean Lock’s show at Fort Regent. The digital artist, photographer and web designer submitted her entry through the States of Jersey Twitter feed @StatesofJersey.

 

Other suggestions included States Scoop, Serendipity, Readers’ Rock, Governmail, GovBuzz and Bean Alert.

 

The newsletter is produced in-house by the web team and is next published in September.