News
Bahamas Press Club President Anthony Newbold addresses South East Nassau Rotary Club on the Role of the Press
NASSAU, The Bahamas – President of the Bahamas Press Club 2014, Anthony A Newbold addressed the Rotary Club of South East Nassau weekly luncheon meeting on the Role of the Press.
The meeting is held at East Villa Restaurant, East Bay Street on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Mr. Newbold was accompanied by Press Club executives Anthony Capron, First Vice President; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary and Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer.
Mr. Newbold stated that the main ideal of The Press Club is to promote the highest standards of journalism and mass communications in the country.
In this vein, The Club is seeking to devise a Code of Ethics to govern the profession, particularly those members of the organization. And, to advocate for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
Dating back to the early 1970’s there have been numerous tries at establishing an association of the press corps in The Bahamas. The most successful of which began in 1996.
“Let me say that the press club is not a union,” said Mr. Newbold, who is Special Projects Coordinator at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS). “The purpose of the club, to borrow from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C, is to encourage friendly intercourse among news practitioners and everyone with whom they have contact, in the pursuit of the profession; to promote the interests of those employed in the media; to ensure public access to information, and of course, to guarantee as much as possible the accuracy of that information, and to cultivate literary tastes.”
Furthermore, “we endeavor to promote and uphold the highest ideals and standards of journalism, while providing for the exchange of ideas and experiences and the offering of professional development opportunities.”
Despite the promising start in 1996, after 2002, The Club remained dormant until August of 2014, when Mr. Newbold led the effort to revive it. Of the 65 invitations, 20 persons signed up, with an additional five signing up since.
“My disappointment, not enough of those signed up are part of the under 30 group of young journalists. We continue to work on them, but you can’t want something for someone more than they want it for themselves.”
He said however, that their involvement is critical, because they make up 90 percent of today’s press corps.
“And, while they may have some formal training, they lack experience and the knowledge and wisdom that comes from that experience, which does not stop them from being tenacious and mercenary in some cases, taking no prisoners in the process.”
While the editors make the final decisions, it helps, tremendously if they have something to work with, he said.
Mr. Newbold noted that media now includes the traditional press corps as well as those involved in social media – usually non journalists and talk show hosts – both unregulated and both bringing a whole new wrinkle to how news is communicated and received.
“All of this demands a discerning and engaged public,” he said.
To Rotarians, he admonished that all have a role to play in what happens with this country and how it happens.
“And, if there is a time for all of us to play our roles, the time is now. It is no longer acceptable, if it ever was, to just be a spectator!
“One of my favourite sayings is, if you are content to just throw rocks from the sidelines and not get in the ring, I have no time for you!”
According to Mr. Newbold, the state of this nation today, demands the involvement of all, as there are too much uncertainty and ambivalence about those foundational institutions that have anchored the society.
In stressing the role of the press, a profession, which he’s practiced for more than two decades, Mr. Newbold, quoted the Venerable Ellen Hume, presently an Annenberg Fellow in Civic Media at the Center for Media, Data and Society, at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.
There are four essential roles, she says, that a free press serves:
1. Holding government leaders accountable to the people,
2. Publicizing issues that need attention,
3. Educating citizens so they can make informed decisions, and
4. Connecting people with each other in civil society.
Hence, other roles of the press are, being the watchdog of the people, holding government leaders accountable to the people, connecting people through various forms, informing and educating.
Mr. Newbold pledged to continue to push for the cohesive development and training of young journalists and the coming together of all media because not only does he believes there is strength in numbers “but it is one way to ensure that institutional knowledge is not lost.”
One way of enhancing the profession is recognizing the work of meda during the Bahamas Press Club Awards Banquet, held November 21, 2015, which is again set for November 2016.
He also envisions a permanent home for The Press Club, where its members can assembly and enjoy facilities to further enhance the profession.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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