Press Club honoured best in media awards ceremony

Wed, Nov 14th 2018, 04:59 PM

It was a black tie event of grand glamour on November 10th, as various members of Bahamian media gathered at the British Colonial Hilton, for the annual Bahamas Press Club Media Awards, honoring many amoung them for their journalistic achievements throughout the year.

This years theme, “Celebrating 45 years of Independence,” captured nominees and categories from all genres. Additionally, eight distinguished Journalists were honored for their role in capturing the Independence story of 1973. Amoung those honored was President of The Bahamas Press Club 2014, Mr. Anthony Capron, for his work with a publication called, “The People”.

Capron said the while everyone may have a different story as it relates to the Independence events of 1973, he said the Press Club does not intend to let the events of our recent history pass unnoticed into oblivion.

“Gladstone Thurston would have a different memory, Mike Lothian’s story would not be the same. And, I’m certain, Ed Bethel would have a completely different take, as would everyone else who was at that memorable time in modern history of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Capron.

Other Independence honorees were: Mike Lothian, The Tribune; Fred Sturrup, The Nassau Guardian; Gladstone Thurston, The Tribune; Vincent Vaughn, Freelance Photographer; Ed Bethel, ZNS; Oswald Brown, The Torch and Eileen Carron, The Tribune.

Nothing surprised guests and attendees more than the People’s Choice Award winner for Best Radio Show and Best Radio Talk Show, Rodney Moncur of Freedom March. Additionally, The Bahamas Press Club Person of the Year was also revealed as Mrs. Shaune Miller Uibo, for her outstanding athletic achievements in track and field for The Bahamas.

However, the big winner of the night was the EyeWitness News team. Just six months old, they have proven themselves to be on their way to becoming a media powerhouse, taking home several awards including the category of Best Newscast.

Clint Watson, News Director at Eyewitness News, said it has been a powerful six months for the new team.

“Tonight is a testament of how hard we’ve worked,” said Watson. “We are coming from nobody knowing us to rising to the top of the scene. I have a wonderful committed team of the most passionate young people who work together to make it all happen-this is an example of teamwork,” Watson said.

Pioneer Award recipient Ivan Johnson, Publisher of The Punch, said he finds much more honour in being honoured by his peers. “It’s so much more meaningful, said Johnson. “They actually know and appreciate what you did, so the fact that they honored me and gave me this award really means alot-much more than from people who are outside the business,” said Johnson.

For those new to the profession, Johnson said they should always hold the politians feet to the fire.

“Don’t let them intimidate you as a reporter-give them hell,” said Johnson.

The top Honour for the night - The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award - went to Sir Charles Carter, former broadcast journalist at ZNS, politican and the owner of Carter Marketing and Island FM radio station. Mark Carter, his son and grandson Cayman Carter accepted the award on behalf of the father and grandfather.

“He would have loved to have been here because what you are doing is what he started. Creating the future of The Bahamas and telling the Bahaman story and it’s up to you people in this room to continue telling those Bahamian stories,” Said Carter.

Also receiving awards were:

The Bahamas Press Club Student Media Journalism Award
WINNER: Laurencia Smith, Media Journalism Student, UB

The Leon Turnquest Award for Sports Print Journalism
WINNER: Sheldon Longley, The Nassau Guardian

The Phil Smith Award for Outstanding Sports Broadcast Journalism
WINNER: Randy Smith, Eyewitness News

The Bursell Bradshaw Press Photographer of the Year Award
WINNER: Torrell Glinton, The Nassau Guardian

The Kenneth Nathaniel Francis Award for Newspaper Design
WINNER: Ayhisha Small-Cleare, The Nassau Guardian

The P. Anthony White Award for Columnist of The Year
WINNER: Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya, The Tribune

The Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award
WINNER: Cara Hunt, The Tribune

The Cyril Stevenson Award for Outstanding Political Journalism
WINNER: Vaughnique Toote, Our News

The Award for Best Television Documentary
WINNER: Andrew Burrows, The Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources

The Award for Best Television News Story
WINNER: Theo Sealy, Eyewitness News

The Award for Best Editing for Television News Story or Documentary
WINNER: Terran Knowles, Our News

Social Media Award
WINNER: Hadassah Deleveaux, Public Relations Manager, BTVI

Best Cinematography Award (Documentary)
WINNER: Eyewitness News

Best Video Editing Award
WINNER: Agatha Christie, Eyewitness News

Best Producer Award (Packaged)
WINNERS: Apryl Sands & Shamiko Gilbert, Eyewitness News

The PAHO/WHO Excellence in Health Promotion Award
HONOURABLE MENTION – Felicity Ingraham, Freelance Journalist

Best Television News Story
HONOURABLE MENTION– Kyle Walkine, Our News

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