The Nassau Guardian turns 172 years old today. It is the oldest newspaper in the country. As far as we are aware, it is also the oldest business in The Bahamas. That this paper, formed out of a debate over slavery, is still here and vibrant nearly two centuries later is an extraordinary accomplishment.

In 1837, Edwin Charles Moseley, a journalist who had worked at The Times in London, arrived in Nassau to take up his appointment as editor of The Argus.

After the liberal Sir James Carmichael-Smyth became governor in 1829, dissent rose in Nassau over the question of emancipation. In 1831, a pro-slavery section of the community supported George Biggs in the establishment of The Argus in order to promote their anti-emancipation views. Moseley found the semi-weekly's policies so objectionable he refused to become its editor.

A number of citizens who shared his anti-slavery views urged him to publish what he referred to as a "journal in a proper manner". Thus, The Nassau Guardian first appeared on November 23, 1844.

Today we are a multi-media company. We are involved with print, radio, television and the Internet. Bahamians across the country have access to our reporting via these forms. What has not changed from our beginning is that we engage with the pressing matters of the day. It was slavery then.

Now it is the issue of good governance. It is the issue of the economic empowerment of Bahamians. It is the crime problem that makes life in New Providence unpleasant. It is the hardship faced by so many Bahamians dealing with recession and back-to-back hits from major hurricanes.

We seek to provide accurate information in our reporting. This is quite important in the age of social media. There is so much nonsense out there. People are overwhelmed with stories that are false, some crazy, others outright propaganda. We are proud that when readers see our name, or listeners and viewers hear and see our broadcast products, they know they can rely on the information.

While we seek to be fair in reporting, we take positions in our commentaries - be they via our editorial page or when our editors offer their opinions in the National Review section. Perry Christie and his administration are poorly governing The Bahamas. Hardship and suffering are all around.

The economy has not grown in three years. Killing is commonplace on our streets. This administration is responsible for the largest tax increase in our modern history and now it is menacing broke and frustrated Bahamians for even more taxes. Christie falls asleep in public and dances when he is awake.

We have spoken out aggressively against the prime minister's failings because he is leading our country to ruin. The Bahamas is a beautiful place. Its people are resilient. They deserve a better leader than Christie. We say that now and will continue to do so until he is defeated and retired from public life.

We thank our readers, listeners and viewers for engaging with our products. We thank our advertisers for spending a few dollars with us. We hope to keep your trust and will do our best to continue to innovate. There is much disruption in our industry due to technological innovation. Be confident, though, that just as we adapted to all the changes the past 172 years, we have the skilled people to lead us through what is before us.

Again, thank you for your support. We hope to remain in your minds the best media company in the country.

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