“[…] Truth be told, BC embodied the spirit of the Calypso Tent more than the Newsroom. He was a hybrid, in some sense, of Winston Bailey and HL Mencken. “[…] Kind, generous and determined to make a difference in a world populated by the indifferent…” The following Letter to the …
Read More »Vaneisa: Our immortal BC
At the end of September, in Thank God It’s Friday, a column which has now been running for more than 35 years, BC Pires said: “Chances are Thin.” Without a wallow or a moan, but replete with dread details of his beastly struggle with cancer of the oesophagus, he revealed …
Read More »Dear Editor: Newspaper editors needed… and start at the Trinidad Express!
Trinidad Express Newspapers are in the market for an assistant night editor. Through you, I wish to make an application for the job. On the list of qualifications and experience required for securing employment in this position are nine items: At #7, ‘Proficient knowledge of the structure and content of …
Read More »Dear Editor: Bassant should simplify investigative reports on Foster Cummings—for man-on-the-street
“[…] I am firmly of the view that no minister who has been or is involved in any shady financial and business dealings should be serving in the government of my country. “My problem with Mr Mark Bassant’s report is that it is pitched over my head—and, I dare say, the …
Read More »Vaneisa: Space for our diversity—T&T must resist “segregation” of “special interest” concerns
A long time ago, I had a discussion—maybe an argument—with a newspaper editor about what constituted “soft” news. He thought that issues affecting women were soft, and should be relegated to pages headed by labels that suggested they were for women only. Instinctively, I rejected that. It seemed to me …
Read More »Media Monitor: Making amends for mystery of not calling SC’s name
As a part-time monitor of the media and a full-time anglophile, I sometimes come across stuff in the newspaper that gives me pause but which might not move other more casual observers in the same way. For example, there is the Express’ Saturday 11 February lead story. It sent me …
Read More »Early Bird: When CNC3 “rolled” over the late Professor Gordon Rohlehr
Apoplectic, my fo’daymorning walk pardnah Bobby would later describe my state. In hindsight, I had to agree. Unapologetically apoplectic. Don’t blame me. Blame the pair of presenters on duty on the 7 ‘o’ clock news on CNC3 on the night of 30 January. They had ignited my ire. Had lit …
Read More »Dear Editor: Too much negativity in media! Columnists and contributors should also inspire
“[…] I have no difficulty with the working journalists reporting the news as they find it, whether positive or negative… My concern is with the columnists and the established letter-writers. “I am suggesting that you devote at least one of your contributions per month to a positive message—something that will …
Read More »MATT offers condolences to families of Anthony Harris and Joel Nanton
“[…] Anthony Harris was a well-known and universally appreciated sports photographer who covered events with distinction across more than three decades for Guardian Media. “He was mortally injured when a vehicle struck him while riding around the Queen’s Park Savannah. The driver did not stop…” The following is a statement …
Read More »Farewell Joel Nanton, I have never met a better person
Joel Nanton, the chair of the Department of Journalism and Media at COSTAATT, passed away yesterday at the age of 47—after a three-year battle with illness. Wired868 joins the rest of the media community in expressing condolences to his wife, Hollene, and their three children, as well as to his family …
Read More »Dear Editor: I’ve tried to correct mistakes of grammar and pronunciation in the media, but they ‘held out’
“[…] Introducing a pair of reporters to bring listeners up to date on a particular issue, night after night, the CNC3 tag team of news presenters tells us, for example, ‘Here is Radhica and Kristian de Silva…’ “The de Silvas are husband and wife and, therefore, a team. Thus, the …
Read More »Early Bird: Conversations with Keith Smith, a journalist looking to make T&T and the world a better place
Keith Smith left us in early February. I know that but I still don’t remember the precise date. And one February afternoon this year, a phone call from a former colleague brought back a fond memory of him. A timely one. “Covid’s over,” she complained, “but I still cyar see …
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