The announced closure of SportsMax by Digicel, alongside the immediate shutdown of Loop News, marks a significant and troubling moment for Caribbean media. For over 20 years, SportsMax has been a cornerstone of regional and international sports broadcasting, instrumental in developing Caribbean sports journalism and delivering high-quality, culturally relevant programming to its audiences.
These losses expose the precarious state of media sustainability in the region. The disappearance of such influential platforms echoes the past decline of notable institutions like Radio Antilles, the Caribbean News Agency (CANA), and the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). These historic precedents highlight the urgent need to rethink how media operates, funds itself, and remains relevant in an evolving digital landscape and to recognise media as a vital sector deserving of formal support and strategic investment, akin to tourism or agriculture.
Going forward, the path must be one of strategic investment and the establishment of sustainable frameworks tailored to the unique needs of Caribbean media. This includes fostering partnerships between governments, private sector stakeholders, and regional organisations to provide financial stability, infrastructure, and innovation support. It also encourages partnerships among media houses, broadcasters, and educational institutions that will nurture the next generation of Caribbean storytellers.
Without decisive action, the region risks losing not only its media platforms but also its ability to shape its narrative in sports and beyond. The closures of SportsMax and Loop News are a clarion call to stakeholders to elevate Caribbean media from a vulnerable sector to a resilient and thriving pillar of regional identity and development.
Former MWAG President Michael Bascombe, Lincoln Depradine & MWAG President Rawle Titus
St. George’s, January 26, 2012 – If one were to use the 6th Annual
Media Awards as a barometer of the quality of work of local practitioners,
there are some things that clearly must happen quickly.
One is that the Media Workers Association of Grenada
(MWAG) must continue providing professional training for young and aspiring
journalists; and second, the practitioners themselves must be zealous enough to
do everything possible to improve their professionalism and go beyond the daily
routine of their jobs.
The awards were distributed to winners whose best
media work for 2011 was judged in Jamaica by Professor Canute James of the
Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication of the University of the West
Indies.
A total of 15 prizes were distributed at MWAG’s Digicel-sponsored
awards’ ceremony on January 22.
Most, including WEE FM’s Mikey Hutchinson, were
previous winners. This year, he was chosen as the first recipient of the
Anthony “Jericho’’ Greenidge Award. It carries a $1,000 cash reward and a
Digicel smart phone. The award is in remembrance of Greenidge, the popular
radio personality who died last November in New York.
Of the remaining 14 awards, two – Best Locally
Produced Commercial and Best Locally Produced Video – were given to Shem
Joseph; and another – Best Public Service Announcement – was handed to Amanda
John. Both Joseph and John are with Brainstorm Productions.
Television dominated in the remaining categories, with
no awards for radio news and programming.
Radio, while popular with its call-in format and
music, must consider other avenues for “edutaining,’’ educating and
entertaining listeners. They must provide “edutaining’’ programming that would
involve research, scripting and production; something that was a staple of
radio in Grenada until recently.
However, judging from the Media Awards, newspaper and
online reporting on the internet is faring only slightly better than that of
radio.
One award was giving for online writing. It was a
feature written by veteran journalist Rawle Titus, who is also MWAG’s
president.
In newspaper writing, the single award went to another
veteran journalist, Lincoln Depradine, who is also author of White Frock
& Coals Dust: The Story Of A Community Called The Wharf. Depradine
was awarded for the Best Entertainment Story.
All other winners were from TV: Sherry-Ann Noel,
Blossom Alexis-Welch and Beverly Sinclair of FLOW CC6; Kishawn Thomas, Eugenia
Peters and Orisha Joseph of the Grenada Broadcasting Network; and Cheavron
Benjamin of MTV.
Oslyn Crosby, who now works with the Grenada Cultural
Foundation, won for an outstanding tourism story that was produced and
broadcast while employed at CC6.
GBN employees also claimed the Long Service Awards
which are decided upon each year by MWAG’s executive. The 2012 recipients were
Lew Smith and Eugenie Mason.
While local TV programming has its shortcomings, it
appears that quality production in other media – newspaper, radio and online –
needs to increase even more rapidly and requires the involvement of many younger
practitioners.
However, it
must be used tonight as there is no better word, no word more appropriate, to
describe this person whom the Media Workers Association is presenting with a
Lifetime Achievement Award.
This quiet,
humble gentleman has worked in broadcast journalism for almost four decades. He
has made his mark in every decade. Today, he has a morning radio program, as
well as interview and call-in shows on radio and television, that all draw high
listener and viewer ratings. And when there was Radio Grenada, he was the
leading voice of news and music programming. He was creative in scripting and
voicing promos, as well as in the creation of jingles.
His
signature on his promos for parties, with Djs like Harro and Akaila, was the
word, “She-bang, She-bang, with a bang bang”. A jingle created for news in the
early days of Radio Free Grenada is still regarded by many as the best-ever
locally produced news jingle.
He has also
been a popular Master of Ceremony, and travelled extensively as a reporter with
former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.
Grenadians
were proud to tune in to news at 6 p.m. on the Montserrat-based Radio Antilles,
where he was News Director and frequently anchored the evening’s main newscast.
Many local
journalists and broadcasters – some who are veterans in the field today –
benefitted from his mentoring and tutoring.
His
contribution to broadcast journalism earned him a national award which was
presented to him at the 2011 independence celebrations; an award from the
Grenada Steelbands’ Association at carnival 2011; and recently he was named a
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Tonight,
the Media Workers Association is pleased to present him with a Lifetime
Achievement Award.
Ladies and
gentlemen, let’s welcome and congratulate Mr. Lewellyn “Lew” Smith, MBE!
Eugene Mason
is a product of Grenada’s golden era of broadcasting.
With a
career spanning nearly 4 decades Eugene has worked with the best in the
business the likes of Jerry Romain, Lew Smith and Thelma (TC) Campbell to name
a few.
She has
initiated a number of popular current affair programmes some of which you may
remember: CUTLASS - a programme promoting agriculture; CARRIACOU CONNECTION; MAINLY
FOR WOMEN; COMMUNITY FOCUS as
well as IN A NUTSHELL, and ON THE MOVE - these two programs are
still running today.
Mrs. Mason
has also been credited for being among the first host of GBN’s popular Monday
night programme - Beyond the Headlines.
She is a
national treasure in Grenadian media who has featured prominently every era
since independence.
The post
independence era of Radio Grenada, the revolutionary years of Radio Free
Grenada, and the post revolutionary years of the Grenada Broadcasting Corporation.
She has
excelled in many roles – producer, announcer, Director of GIS, and supervisor
of the radio division of GBC.
Mrs. Mason
has had an exciting ride in a demanding career. Her versatility has transformed
her into a senior television journalist at the Grenada Broadcasting Network;
covering the big stories such as Hurricane Ivan, flooding and general
elections.
Mrs. Mason
is a beacon and an inspiration for young practitioners and tonight the Media Workers
Association is happy to present her with an award for distinguished service.
By Michael Bascombe
“Let’s prayer for the best but prepare for the worst”. That was the phrase I used in conversation with family and close friends for the past week as I monitored my colleague, friend, pal and what he termed the “tag team”, Anthony “Jericho” “The Duke” Greenidge.
Informing my colleagues and the general public of the passing of my “tag partner” was one of the most difficult assignments I have had to undertake in recent times. I knew the information will take some time to believe, and I wasn’t surprised when I received a call from a former classmate of Jericho questioning the authenticity of the alert. I understood his feelings but convinced him to the contrary.
On Thursday October 6, I spoke to Jericho from his home in New York and we discussed many things including plans to “link-up” that weekend. Like Jericho, I was excited to meet him to follow-up on some discussions we had about two months ago while in Grenada.
We shared sports information and traveled all over Grenada covering sports, especially basketball and track and field. We teamed up a few years ago to attend the Junior CARIFTA Games. And when I am not in Grenada he sends me photographs of various sporting events. His voice was familiar to the ears of spectators at the track and field stadium….”Results of event number….”
Jericho was like an extended arm of the Diaspora Information Network and among many things he will be greatly missed.
The tributes continue to come in from many of his colleagues and listeners. The Management & Staff of WEE FM Radio have also issued a statement expressing sadness on his passing.
Bro, I will miss you!
“Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow”
“What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.”
“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC) — Prime Minister Tillman
Thomas has confirmed that he was searched by American Airlines officials at
Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport before embarking on an official
overseas trip.
Thomas broke his silence on the issue after the
local media called for a public explanation from American Airlines and an
apology to the prime minister.
Prime Minister Thomas told the Caribbean Media
Corporation that he had no problems with the search which occurred at the
airport's VIP lounge last month.
"It's a complicated matter. It's not something
that I could clarify. The Airport Authority would have to clarify it,"
Prime Minister Thomas said, adding "that he "had no problem with
it". It's a procedure. To me it does not make a difference to me".
The incident has caused a major embarrassment to
the Grenada Airports Authority which has since written to the Prime Minister
apologising for the ordeal, local media has reported.
Numerous calls to American Airlines country manager
Gillian Thompson seeking clarification have not been returned.
An editorial in The New Today weekly newspaper has
accused the airline of "belittling the Office of Prime Minister" and
criticised his security detail for allowing the search to take place.
"I was not really concerned about that. If it
ought not to have happened, it should not have happened," Prime Minister
Thomas said.
"They should have proper guidelines and
procedures but it was not something that I was too worried about".
January
25, 2011
- The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) is saddened by the
announcement by the British Broadcasting Corporation that its popular Caribbean
Service is to be closed.
The ACM wishes to pay tribute to the West Indian
men and women and their British counterparts who strove for more than 40 years,
and more recently, in more than 15 years of unbroken service to present a
balanced, comprehensive and intelligent picture of life in the Caribbean. The
Caribbean Service has also been an invaluable source of insightful analyses and
commentaries on the effect of world economics and politics on the region.
While the BBC has created several incarnations of the BBC
Caribbean Service going back to the Second World War, the ACM honours the
contribution of the late Hugh Crosskill, who as editor of the modern Caribbean
Service shaped the unit into a significant source of regional radio news. We
pay special tribute to the fine work of his long-standing successor, Debbie
Ransome, a veteran journalist who increased the Caribbean Service's output and
made it an essential part of radio listening diets across the region.
The Caribbean Service's journalists and producers deserve
the highest commendation. They also deserve the unequivocal assurance that
their names - household names for thousands of Caribbean people - will not be
lost to regional broadcasting. The ACM believes that this is an opportunity for
bold, collective action by Caribbean media owners and managers to ensure that
the careers of men and women who contributed significantly to regional
information and understanding can continue.
It is in this regard that the ACM calls on the Caribbean
Media Corporation and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, whose mandates and
functions mirror that of the Caribbean Service, to move immediately to create a
viable alternative. The CMC, especially, which has inherited the Caribbean News
Agency (CANA), a trusted and independent organisation that gave so many of the
BBC Caribbean staff their start, must now seize the opportunity to ensure that
the region does not skip a beat in making the transition from a London-based
Caribbean news organisation to a Caribbean-based news agency.
While the ACM applauds the sterling work of its colleagues
in London, it has long believed that only a truly Caribbean institution that is
to the region what the BBC has been to the world can be a vital part of the
communications mix in a Caribbean single economy and a Caribbean single
marketplace of ideas.
The Caribbean needs a distinctive service of high quality
news and information that is collected, distilled and explained by some of its
veteran journalists, not a hodge-podge of duplicated copy from national media
houses.
Let it not be said that in a moment of adversity, the
Caribbean media failed to shed considerations of parochialism and profit to
create a trustworthy source of Caribbean news and information.
It would be a sad commentary on the fruit of regional
independence and integration and the greatest possible disservice to the people
of this region if the Caribbean broadcast media, who do possess the resources,
lack the will to do what the moment demands of them.
St. George’s, July 29, 2010 (GIS) – Grenada may soon introduce a national award to honour its writers. The announcement was made July 28 by Senator Arley Gill, Minister of State with Responsibility for Information, Information and Communication Technology, and Culture.
He was speaking at the Esplanade Mall on Bruce Street at the media launch of the Department of Culture’s inaugural Spice Word Festival and Book Fair, and the Camahogne Folk Festival.
Senator Gill wants “tangible recognition’’ given to Grenadian writers, some of whom are well-known published authors living in North America and Europe.
The Spice Word literary festival – which would involve a book fair of the works of Grenadian authors, poetry and an art exhibition – will be held October 20 to 24 – at various venues, including St. Mark, Bathway in St. Patrick and the National Stadium in St. George’s.
The featured Grenadian writers will be Clyde Belfon, David Franklyn and Merle Collins. However, Sen. Gill said the Word Festival and Book Fair are open to “all Grenadian writers’’ of every genre.
The Wednesday afternoon media launch, which included a brief performance from some members of the Grenada delegation to the recent Shanghai Expo in China, was witnessed by scores of shoppers and attended by prominent Grenadians, including Mr. Belfon and Ms. Collins, who read excerpts from their works.
Among others in attendance were Education and Human Resource Development Minister Franka Alexis-Bernardine; Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Glynis Roberts; Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Arlene Outram; retired senior public servant, Gloria Payne-Banfield; and Beverly Steele, author and former Resident Tutor University of the West Indies Centre at Marryshow House.
Government, Sen. Bernardine said, is dedicated to promoting local writers. As a clear demonstration of its commitment, the Ministry of Education is setting up a section in every school where books by Grenadian authors will be displayed and made accessible for student readership commencing at the end of October, she announced.
The Camerhogne Folk Festival – from December 3 to 5 – will involve elements such as drama, dance, song, craft and the Shakespeare Mas’ of Carriacou.Sen. Gill said the overall objective of the October and December events – the first of their kind in Grenada – is to highlight and preserve the literary and oral traditions of the nation.
The Camerhogne Festival will honour well-known Grenadian folklorist, Thelma Phillip, popularly known as “Auntie Tek.’’ She’ll be recognised as the “Caribbean Golden Lady of Storytelling,’’ said Sen. Gill.
Two special guests – Jamaican poet Mutabaruka and Trinidad Rapso artiste, Brother Resistance – have been invited to the festival of words and book fair in October.
Sen. Gill said plans are to take the festivals “to the people’’ of Grenada, and also to “aggressively’’ market them overseas.
St. George’s, June 14, 2010 – Grenada’s attendance at recent Latin and Caribbean meetings afforded the country an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties with many friendly nations.
Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David represented Grenada at an Organisation of American States meeting in Peru, and also at a special Caribbean conference in Barbados with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
“Apart from regional issues such as security and climate change that the meetings examined,’’ said Foreign Minister David, “I also met one-on-one with Grenada’s friends such as the United States and Mexico and discussed continued cooperation between our countries.’’
Like Mr. David, Secretary of State Clinton attended both the OAS and Barbados meetings.
The Grenada Foreign Minister and Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the Mexican Foreign Minister, held discussions in Lima, the Peruvian capital.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 10, 2010 - Grenada is urging the United States to complete domestic legislative processes involving climate change and energy security during 2010 since this will significantly and positively impact on the outcomes achieved in Cancun, Mexico later this year.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday that the 2010 hurricane season is predicted to be exceptionally active and such predictions underscore our sense that talks should progress toward conclusions with urgency.
He noted the challenges her administration is currently experiencing at the national level in this regard but urges dialogue and cooperation.
“The intergovernmental negotiations have begun again in full earnest for 2010, meeting now in a first substantive round in Bonn, Germany,” Mr. David told Mrs. Clinton during an informal meeting between CARICOM Foreign Ministers and the Secretary of State in Barbados.
“In the context of CARICOM and AOSIS, Grenada continues to put proposals on the table as well as to respond to the proposal of others, in ways that can move the process forward. We have been arguing that we be guided by good information, including a scientific survey on knowledge already in the public domain,” he said.
He said that these negotiations are extremely important to our survival as small island developing states.
“We want to emphasise the need for very ambitious outcomes in Cancun, outcomes that address the need to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions within a global legally binding framework, as well as to initiate the process of adapting to climate change, through provision of financing among other things. It is not one, or the other - we need to do both.”
“We also want to urge you to continue to encourage your delegation to be sensitive to the needs and concerns expressed by our countries at these negotiations and to provide support in advancing them,” said Minister David.
He said that addressing energy security and climate change together can be very supportive for our long term development, especially as we look forward to the September five-year review of the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation for the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States.
“The Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, ECPA, continues to receive our support as a place for CARICOM to work with you and USAID in support of CARICOM energy needs,” he said.
Energy and Climate Change Co-operation were among agenda items discussed with the US Secretary of State. The effect of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), Trade, the impact of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis and Health and Development Co-operation were also discussed.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2010 - Targeting young people in the Diaspora in returning home and the need to maintain constant engagement, were among issues raised with Caribbean Tourism Ministers at a Diaspora Forum at the New York Helmsley Hotel on Wednesday.
Grenada’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts, who was one of three regional ministers on the panel, said that the event provided an opportunity to continue the engagement with the Caribbean Diaspora.
“This was a useful engagement and I think we were able to dialogue on a number of issues,” Minister Roberts said in an interview following the forum.
“We also received criticisms and we have to see how best we could continue to engage the Diaspora”.
However, the Tourism Minister noted that Grenada has started the process and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David has embarked on a number of outreach visits to the Diaspora.
“I believe the approach of engaging them at various stages will help crystallise the relationship,” she said.
In reacting to a suggestion from Grenadian student Andrea Church, one of two Grenadians who were on the three-member question panel, about the involvement of youth in the Diaspora the Minister agreed that they have an important role to play.
“They (young people) are the ones who will shape our Diaspora in the next five to 10 years and we need to maintain their involvement”.
The other Caribbean Ministers who participated were Glen Beache of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Richard Sealy of Barbados while Bishop Dr. Ebony Kirkland, President/CEO of Ebony Marketing Research and Grenadian-born writer and special assistant to New York State Senate leader, John Sampson made up the panel.
Also attending were Consul General Derrick James; Minister Counsellor Michael Mitchell; Policy Advisor, Ministry of Tourism George Vincent and Grenada Board of Tourism, USA Christine Noel-Horsford.
The Diaspora Forum was part of Caribbean Week in New York, mounted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).
The week of activities will culminate on Friday with the 37th annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball and Awards Presentations at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
The highlight will be awarding of Grenadian Dr. Roy Hastick who will receive the first ever CTO Diaspora Award honouree.
Dr. Hastick, an avid supporter and advocate of trade, investment and tourism to the Caribbean region, is the founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), a highly respected organisation which promotes economic development on behalf of Caribbean American, African American, and other small businesses.
He is being awarded for fostering both economic development and prosperity in the Caribbean American community.
“You have opened doors and given generously of your time and wisdom to help others craft their own successes and you represent what it means to be a true leader,” the CTO says in its citation.
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 9, 2010 - The effectiveness of Grenada’s representatives abroad and the role they play in national development were again highlighted on Tuesday, June 8.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lana Mc Phail, handed over supplies valued at over US$16,000 to two other ministries. They were the Ministries of Sports and Social Development.
More than 21 boxes of pillows, bedspreads, sheets, shower curtains and linens for senior citizens nationwide were donated to the Social Development Ministry headed by Hon. Sylvester Quarless.
Among items donated to the Sports Ministry for the nation’s athletes were four boxes of gear consisting of over 150 pairs of track pants and sweat shirts.
The donations are the culmination of a process that began with a visit to the country earlier this year by Grenada’s Consul General in New York, Derrick James.
While here, Mr James held discussion with Hon. Quarless, focusing on the wellbeing of senior citizens. On his return to New York, the Consul General raised the issue with Grenadians living there and made a plea for help.
The result was the gifts presented Tuesday to Social Development and to the Sports Ministry of Hon. Patrick Simmons.
The supplies to the Ministry of Social Development will be distributed to institutions and individuals identified as being in “dire need,’’ said Mrs Sandra Thomas, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.
She complimented the swiftness with which Consul General James and Mr. Bascombe responded to the needs of the nation’s sports people. “Our Athletes do well when they look well, and we are looking forward to great achievements in the London 2012 Olympics,’’ Mrs Bruno-Victor said.
Permanent Secretary Mc Phail said the Foreign Ministry is proud to be the medium through which the needs of a number of other Ministries are met.
She praised the hard work of Consul General James, officials of the Diaspora Desk, and individual Grenadians overseas, for contributing positively to the request for assistance.
Port of Spain, April 21, 2010 – The leaders of Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have hailed the signing of a maritime treaty between the two countries as symbolic of their historical bonds of friendship.
Prime Ministers Tillman Thomas of Grenada and Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago affixed their signatures to the treaty at about 11.20 Wednesday morning in Port of Spain, the Trinidad and Tobago capital.
“Today,’’ said Prime Minister Thomas, “is testament to our shared commitment to the continued deepening of relations and cooperation between our two states.’’
Hon. Thomas said the agreement leading to the signing of the treaty is “consistent with international maritime law and conventions,’’ and is in keeping with the “mutual interest’’ of both Grenada and Trinidad.
In the case of Grenada, added Prime Minister Thomas, the stage is set “for the exploration and exploitation of our marine resources, which will be to the benefit of our people and the development of our nation.’’
One Grenadian maritime expert, who witnessed the signing ceremony, projects that Grenada could reap immediate benefits by establishing a body to manage the expected oil and natural resources deposited in the country’s waters.
He explained that once the proper infrastructure is in place, Grenada could be generating up to US$200 billion in revenue from oil and gas in less than three years time.
Prime Minister Manning called the treaty “just and equitable,’’ and described its signing as an “extremely positive development’’ for Grenada and Trinidad, and for progress in the Caribbean.
Mr. Manning referred to the historically “good neighbourliness’’ between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, and said the treaty establishes a course for a “new direction in the relations between the two countries.’’
The treaty follows a report of a Joint Boundary Commission that met in three rounds of maritime talks.
According to Prime Minister Manning, the commission’s report was “well-written and well-reasoned.’’
Wednesday’s signing ceremony was witnessed by Grenada’s Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David; Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon; Senators Chester Humphrey and Chris DeAllie of Grenada; as well as by Grenadian representatives on the Joint Boundary Commission.
They included Dr. Carlyle Mitchell, Grenada’s chief commissioner, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa and a former Director of the Economic Affairs Secretariat of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Other commissioners at the signing were Senator Arley Gill, a maritime law specialist; former Director of Lands and Survey in Grenada, Gilbert Massell; Foreign Service Officer Alva Browne; Senior Energy Officer John Auguste; and advisors – maritime specialist Anslem Clouden, and attorney Reynold Benjamin.
Tomorrow, the 21st, there will be signed in Port of Spain a Treaty delimiting maritime boundaries between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas will sign for Grenada.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS NET
Presumably, the Treaty will entitle Grenada, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to exploit certain blocs of maritime space between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a forerunner to a similar treaty with Venezuela. As such, the Treaty could well, more than any other event in decades past, begin to move our national Grenadian economy into high gear. For our maritime waters between those two countries have appreciable oil and gas resources. Such resources, properly managed, can launch our economy on to a path of sustainable economic development, and keep it there long.
Meeting our own energy needs will save us spending foreign exchange. Exporting oil and gas will earn us foreign exchange. Dealings can amount, over time, to billions of dollars in net foreign exchange earnings. This will be a significant change in the economic fortunes of Grenada. This can translate into fundamental affirmative social transformation of Grenada. The signing of the Treaty is therefore momentous.
WHAT OF BLOC 21?
Of the Blocs of maritime space which came up for delimitation under the Treaty, one particularly has over the years attracted extraordinary interest. It has long been called Bloc 21. This Bloc 21 has for some time been perceived to be especially saturated with petroleum resources.
There will be much interest in the way the Treaty treats Bloc 21, whatever the name the Treaty gives it. We wait with great expectations to find out, what does the Treaty say of Bloc 21? When the Treaty becomes available to the public, the matter of its provisions generally and its disposal of Bloc 21 particularly will be reverted to by this writer.
MINISTER AND TEAM
Prime credit for reaching this positive historic milestone must go to Peter David. For it was Mr. David who, as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, in terms only of individual ministerial responsibility, led the team that blazed the trail through to this clearing. This is all the more a spectacular triumph for Peter doing so in less than 2 years as Minister.
Not that Peter David did this all by himself; of course not. He did what a savvy and confident Minister does. He assembled a formidable team, with personnel of known relevant expertise. It was indeed a team effort.
At the helm was Dr. Carl Mitchell, the experienced and able petroleum economist. The team included Reynold Benjamin, a person very knowledgeable on Grenada’s maritime oil and gas resources; Anslem Clouden, maritime law specialist; Arley Gill, properly certified in international maritime affairs; Gilbert Massell, the focussed land surveyor; and John Auguste, energy officer in the Grenada public service. No doubt Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ Cabinet also helped, with logistics, supplies and otherwise.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Perhaps Trinidad and Tobago was not particularly negative or truculent in the negotiations generally, rather reflecting the good-neighborly CARICOM spirit. Even so, NNP in 13 years failed to hammer out such a treaty. And it is beside the point that the fruits of this treaty might not reach the table for some time. Except that this undererscores how amazing it is that NNP did not settle the boundaries all those years. Better late than never.
KEEP THE TEAM INTACT
At least, the experience gained by Grenada in the engagement with Trinidad and Tobago, generally uncontentions though it might have been, will serve Grenada in good stead, going forward to the really demanding maritime boundaries negotiations with Venezuela. Chavez’s Venezuela will be a horse of a different colour from Manning’s Trinidad and Tobago, not only in language and culture , but elsewise too. Peter and his team must be kept intact for the Venezuelan round. Where possible, they should be strengthened; in whatever way appropriate.
HAIL PETER: PETRO PRINCE
The signing of the Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a welcome achievement in itself, and can open up to further prospects . From here, onward goes Peter and the team forward to Venezuela in such of oil and gas for Grenada . Simon Bolivar, true liberator that he was, must be wishing Peter well. When he pulls that off we shall shout-- HAIL PETER : PETRO PRINCE OF GRENADA.
NEW YORK, April 16, 2010 - Grenada's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts joined officials of the Grenada Airport Authority and Delta Air Lines at a media launch in New York on Friday.
The Minister was joined by the Chairman of the GAA and member of the Grenada Airlift Committee, Mr Rodney George and officials of the Grenada Board of Tourism's North American office while Delta was represented by Gail Grimmett, Senior Vice-President, NYC and Carlos Santos, Corporate Communications Manager.
Minister Roberts said that the Government welcomes the opportunity to bring nationals and visitors to the island.
She said that New York is one of the important markets especially for United States travellers to Grenada. The Minister highlighted a number of unique offerings taking place in the “Spice Isle” which visitors will enjoy.
“Our current travel industry has gone beyond spices, sea and sand. We now offer additional attractions grounded in what we called community tourism, giving the visitors more to do and more to enjoy,” said Roberts.
Grimmett said that Grenada is a market that offers significant promise and Delta is committed in providing year-round service.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity to grow the market,” Grimmett said. “We’re looking forward to a successful marketing and a successful partnership.”
Delta Air Lines commences its new non-stop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) on Saturday July 3, 2010.
The flight will operate twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and depart JFK at 1:15 a.m. and arrive at MBIA at 6:03 a.m.
The return flight from Grenada will be at 7:15 a.m. with arrival in New York at 12;05 p.m.
Delta will use its 737-800 aircraft that offers 16 First Class seats and 134 Coach Class seats.
Toronto,
Canada, Saturday, April 11, 2010; Gems in the
Cracks has been chosen for the long list, International IMPAC Dublin Literary
Award 2010.
Gems in the Cracks was written by Rowley Jeffery a native of St.
Patrick’s, Grenada.
He will be the First Ever Caribbean national writer to receive such honour for
his first fictional work.
On April 14,
2010 the short list will be announced so stay tuned for updates.
ABOUT
International IMPAC Dublin
Literary Award:
The
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is the world's largest and most
international prize of its kind for single work of fiction. It's prestige has
grown over the last decade. One of the unique aspects of the award is that all
works that are to considered must be nominated by Libraries in each capital
city of the world.
Grenada Library,
St. George, Grenada nominated Gems in the
Cracks because the librarian believe "this book is a must read. Shows how
sometimes society and the law almost let us down. But there are support
structures in the same society and the law meets the criteria."
"The Author
is incisive in his social and racial observation, examining causes and
effects." "I enjoyed his vibrant prose which makes effective use of
dialogue in order to develop characters, bringing energy to the action."
Andrew Grice, Editor of Minerva Press.
It was hardly surprising that
when junior track stars Kirani James and Nichkelia John returned home from the
IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy, the spotlight at the Maurice Bishop
International Airport quickly shifted, not to their performances, but to the
absence of their parents at the welcome reception.
Ironically, the same media houses
that gave limited prominence to the athletes’ achievements in their headlines
and broadcasts were quick to manufacture controversy over what was, at best, an
oversight. The narrative moved away from excellence and toward distraction.
To their credit, the Grenada
Athletics Association (GAA) responded responsibly, issuing an apology to the
parents for the unintentional omission. That level of accountability deserves
commendation.
Yet, the inconsistency is
glaring. Just two months earlier, a group of athletes, also led by Kirani James,
returned from the Junior CARIFTA Games to a similar reception at the same
venue, again without parents present. There was no outcry then. No headlines.
No debate.
This selective outrage
underscores a troubling reality: our support for sportsmen and women is often
shallow and inconsistent. We celebrate them in moments of triumph, but fail to
honour them meaningfully or consistently.
Consider Kirani James’ journey.
Emerging from the challenging “Gun Battle” community in St John, his story is
one of resilience, discipline, and triumph over adversity. These are narratives
that should be highlighted continuously, not only when medals are won, but as
part of a broader effort to inspire and inform.
Instead, sensationalism too often
drives the news agenda.
One sports administrator recently
recounted how a journalist showed intense interest in a fabricated story
involving violence in the same community, eagerly seeking details and contacts.
Yet, that same level of curiosity was absent when it came to verifying results
or gathering information about Kirani’s performance from official sources.
That contrast speaks volumes.
The trend extends beyond
athletics. In a recent example, a local television station led its sports
segment with the headline: “Football season opens in front of empty stands.”
There was no attempt to explore the reasons behind the change in format for the
season’s opening, nor were match results provided, despite games being played.
This is not merely an editorial
oversight; it reflects a deeper issue within sports journalism in Grenada.
Responsibility must rest with
media managers, who have allowed this decline to persist without corrective
action. There was a time when sports coverage was structured, resourced, and
respected. The Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) once employed full-time
sports reporters under the leadership of experienced professionals, ensuring
consistent coverage and updates on local and regional events.
That system has eroded, and the
void remains largely unfilled.
Today, there appears to be a
shortage of dedicated, full-time sports reporters across both electronic and
print media. This gap has inevitably affected the quality, depth, and
consistency of sports coverage.
Yet, the expertise still exists.
Grenada has produced a generation
of respected sports journalists, commentators, photographers, and experts who helped shape
the industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Individuals such as Alvin Clouden
(photography), Ian “Flyers” Redhead, Trevor Thwaites, Ray Roberts, Harold
Pysadee, Rawle Titus, Michael Bascombe, Irvine Simon, Hamlet Mark, Derek Seon,
Cheney Joseph, Pele Darbeau, Anthony “Jericho” Greenidge, Paul Roberts, Selwin
Noel, Carlos Thomas, Stephenson Worme, Lester Smith, Claudius George, Lincoln
“Toro” Depradine, and many others have contributed significantly to the
development of sports media.
Their experience should not be
overlooked. It should be harnessed.
There was also a time when sports
programming held a central place in the media landscape. Initiatives like the
Sunday Sports programme, the “Brain of Sports” Quiz, and Saturday Sports
Special created platforms for analysis, engagement, and education.
Today, while programmes like
Sunday Sports, hosted by Harold Pysadee, continue to provide valuable content,
much of this work goes unnoticed, despite being offered freely to local
stations.
This lack of recognition is
symptomatic of a broader issue: the undervaluing of sports journalism and those
who contribute to it.
A FIGHTER HAS FALLEN- GPA'S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF STABROEK NEWS CO-FOUNDER AND EDITOR-in-CHIEF, DAVID DE CAIRES
1st November, 2008.
The Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity have lost a hero of the modern press.
Mr. David De Caires, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, of Guyana's independent Stabroek News newspaper has died.
Though a British-trained solicitor, his first love had always been journalism- a craft he practiced to perfection along with long time legal colleague, Attorney-at-Law, Miles Fitzpatrick, SC.
It was those earlier years of journalist practice in a number of magazines that eventually fructified in 1986 with the establishment of the Stabroek News- Guyana's first privately-owned daily newspaper since the 1970s when the political-economy had forced the closure of several private newspapers.
David's greatest contribution to Guyana's era of glasnost and perestroika, therefore, was the opening up of the media landscape after a period of considerable state-control and authoritarianism under various guises by the then administration.
Eventually, the wind of global change had touched the country and David and local and regional associates quickly grasped the moment, resulting in then President Desmond Hoyte fulfilling a promise that Trinidadian media magnate, Ken Gordon, had secured from him during an interview.
While David's name is etched in the annals of Guyanese and Caribbean media history for being instrumental in slackening the clutches of state control on the media several decades ago, he will more latterly be remembered for his valiant struggle against the withdrawal of government advertisements from the Stabroek News newspaper.
Though that appeared to be a private business matter, he led Guyanese of all walks of life in defiance against all odds not only for his entity but for the entire country whose daily decision-making depend on authentic and credible information. For him and all those who stood by his side, Guyana must never go back to the dark ages of state control of the media and set a precedent for other countries of this region to follow.
His was a life of struggle-to-success, dating back to the early days of Stabroek News at the corner of Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown, when the staff had scooped its competitor and delivered the truth with either non-existent or limited telephone service.
As if that was not enough, the newspaper's content had to be flown each week to Trinidad to be printed and returned later in the week for distribution. Such were his Caribbean connections to Barbados' Nation; Jamaica's Gleaner and the Trinidad Express. Eventually, Guyana Publications Incorporated acquired a printing press and benefited from technical expertise provided by sister-newspapers in the Caribbean, resulting in the Stabroek News growing into a daily news-staple.
Our heartfelt condolences to David's immediate family, relatives, the Board of Directors and staff of the Stabroek News newspaper, and his friends in the Guyanese and Caribbean media fraternity.
We are confident that his contribution to the media-landscape will be long cherished and perpetuated by his competent team of editors and staff.
In mourning his loss, we must sustain the torch-light of freedom, truth and justice for which he fought.
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, October 24 - The NDC has had its 100 days in office. A week in politics is a long time but in Grenada’s politics its not just coach in class but its pace is and has always been coached.
Grenada’s political history is defined by two ‘momentous’ periods. The politics of the 50s self rule – leading to independence by Eric Gairy, trade unionist/quasi preacher/nationalist politician. His labor party is largely ‘responsible’ for the birth of Grenada post British Empire rule.
The other dramatically brought to Grenada a new kind of politics. A coup – the first of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean – led by Maurice Bishop his People’s Revolutionary Government introducing a form of socialism to the spice island.
In 1983 the PRG bloodedly ‘implodded’ setting the stage for a US invasion – some Grenadians call it a rescue mission – the US President at the time Ronald Regan known as the great communicator said ‘we got there just in time’.
Saturday 25th October is a national ‘thanksgiving day’ a quarter of a century later Grenadians are unable to face up to the traumatic events of 1983. Grenadians are to a large extent shell shock. Some have argued that the spice islanders are culturally not disposed to appreciate what is of ‘them’. Each year the nation tears itself apart over the need to recognized all the falling soldiers – happy are the officials and others to publicly praised the fallen US soldiers for rescuing Grenadians but to their own soldiers silence – denial is the order of the day.
Grenada returned to elected government in 1984. Prime Ministers Blaize, Jones Braithwaite, Brizan and Dr. Mitchell – all centrist, Mitchell however pursued a kind of free market politics, unashamedly ‘right wing’ dangerously flirting with risky economic models. A ‘stealth’ culture governing maters of state. An, ‘insidious’ march on the island’s fragile, even embryonic democratic institutions – a not so subtle attack on ‘free speech’ The law of sedition – seditious libel deployed. Parliament reduced to a coliseum for contemptuous mocking of other parliamentarians not belonging to the gallery of alleged rouges.
Ironically the present Prime Minister Mr. Tillman Thomas was jailed without trail by the PRG. He now heads an NDC government made up largely of people who learnt their politics from the PRGSchool of failed socialism. Political detractors view Mr. Thomas as a stop gap prime minister. Grenadians are given to celebrate a leader who is almost a political pre Madonna – what some call the hero and the crowd syndrome. Prime Minister Thomas is not cut from the usual political cloth. He gives his ministers room to grow into their ministries.
He has hands off approach to the civil service, he pledges his commitment to uphold the independence of the state institutions – he is on public record committing himself to a free press. Mr. Thomas is not the usual suspect but he cant avoid facing up to questions about his leadership style however no one doubts as the people say, he is a good man and enjoys the ‘confidence’ of the nation.
The NDC was elected to office almost exclusively by the effort of the Grenadian media – untrained but doggedly tenacious. In my view Mr. Thomas government owes a debt of gratitude to the Grenadian media and should not be hesitant about sourcing training for media people – it is the least a grateful government can do. It is strange however that the NDC appears to be ‘adrift’ when it comes to media affairs. It would be unkind to say the NDC’s public relations effort has been ‘dismal’ but clearly the handling of GIS and issues relating to the management of government information has greatly ‘underperformed’.
It is almost hilarious but menacingly strange how the present NDC is similar in its attitude towards its supporters in comparison with its fore runner. It is becoming increasingly audible that NDC supporters feel left behind. It is perhaps unkind for me to say but the NDC has never been noted for its politics, it is rather strange that both past and present NDC, on the face of it, are devoid of politics, despite holding political office.
The NDc’s penchant for abandoning its core is well documented. It is rumored that the very popular minister of foreign affairs Mr. Peter David – he enjoys an almost cult-like status, has been seduced by Dr. Mitchell to offer protection from attempts to bring him to ‘account’. If these rumors are founded and one hopes they are baseless, Mr. David will be well advised to read the ‘prints’. Politics should not be confused with the old boys club.
The NDC inherited a Grenada which experienced economic melt down long before it became the buzz word for what’s wrong with the world’s economy. Clearly the NDC was not prepared for the ‘calamitous’ state of affairs it found on entering office – short of sacking almost every civil servant. It was task with having to rebuild a civil service ravaged by years of inadequacies – no previous experience of being in government – competing priorities everywhere – clearly it’s easy to fail the NDC government but as tentative as they have started, a hundred days in Grenada’s politics is equivalent to half a day in normal political life. Nevertheless, I give a ‘grudging’ distinction.
