Bahamas News
Bahamas Press Club 2014 to Hold Annual Media Awards on November 10th 2018
#Nassau, October 15, 2018 – Bahamas – During a press conference on October 13th at the British Colonial Hilton, the Bahamas Press Club 
2014 announced it would honour persons who have made contributions to the journalism and media profession in the country, during its annual media awards ceremony.
Now in its fourth year, under the theme of: “Celebrating 75 years of Bahamian Media: 1973-2018”, the ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 10th at the British Colonial Hilton. Doors will open to a stunning black tie event, as the finest in Bahamian media grace the Governor’s Ballroom to receive accolades for their hard work.
President of The Bahamas Press Club 2014, Anthony Capron, said this year the club has designed a commemorative pin that will reflect the years 1973-2018. This pin will be awarded to 10 selected persons who were employed in the media at the time of Bahamian independence on July 10, 1973.
“We will again recognize a media pioneer. The recipient is well known and relatively still a young man and today, he and his newspaper have made an indelible mark on Bahamian journalism. He is Mr. Ivan Johnson, publisher of The Punch,” said Capron.
Mr. Capron said The Bahamas Press Club 2014 for the second time, will present the Person of the Year Award. Attendees at the award show will experience the big reveal on the night of the event as this recipient is kept a secret until that very night.
“This person is chosen by the Press Club, said Capron. It is a person who has been a perennial newsmaker over the course of the year (2018); and the news doesn’t always have to be good. Last year it was Prime Minister, the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis. When you hear the name and see the person at the banquet this year, you will all agree it is a well deserved honor.”
The recipient of The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Royal Fidelity, is veteran broadcaster, Sir Charles Carter. Sir Charles, who has had a stellar media career since 1964, expressed his gratitude for such an honour, which is the highest of the media awards.
Sir Charles said being in the media has inspired him and he likes what has happened to the country as it relates to being able to tell a story.
“Find in your work the trigger, the love, that makes you want to tell the stories of this country in such a way that you cause young people to have a better idea about this country,” Sir Charles said.
The Bahamas Press Club 2014 Media Awards cover a wide range of categories honoring working Journalists who are experts at their craft. The deadline for submission of nominees is October 17th 2018.
The other standing awards are:
PAHO/WHO Excellence in Health Promotion Award
The Bahamas Press Club Student Media/Journalism Award
Eric Wilmott Award for Investigative Journalism
Leon Turnquest Award for Sports Print Journalism
Phil Smith Outstanding Sports Broadcast Journalism Award
Bursell Bradshaw Press Photographer of the Year Award
Kenneth N. Francis Award for Newspaper Design and Composition
- Anthony White Columnist of the Year Award
Cyril Stevenson Outstanding Political Journalism Award
Best TV Documentary Award
Best TV News Story Award
Best Editing for TV News Story or Documentary Award
Website of the Year Award
Social Media Award
Best Cinematography
Best Video Editing Award
Best in Photography
Best Producer Award
Best Producer Award Package
Best Newscast Award
Additional awards this year include the People’s Choice Awards. This segment will feature online poll voting where members of the public can vote for their favourites in each category. The online polls open October 29th to November 8th. The award categories are:
Best Radio Talk Show
Best Radio Talk Show Host
Best TV Talk Show
Best TV Talk Show Host
Best Radio Personality (inclusive of DJs and Radio Announcers)
A panel of judges, representing a balanced mixture of expertise in journalism and mass communications, will adjudicate the submissions. They are: Quincy Parker, Duke Wells, Ray Munnings, Ed Bethel and Paul Turnquest.
The Bahamas Press Club 2014 is grateful to welcome IL Cares Foundation & Verizon Media Group as title sponsors.
Branding Manager for IL Cares Foundation and Verizon Media Group, Aneka Stewart, said both of the organizations she represents understand the important role the media plays in developing a progressive society.
“We believe it is essential to not only highlight the work of journalists and those professions who guard the fourth estate, but to also salute them for their tireless commitment and unwavering efforts,” said Stewart.
Mr. Capron said The Bahamas Press Club 2014 is delighted to acknowledge other key sponsors such as Aliv, Bahamas Stripping Group of Companies, as well as continuing sponsors including: The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (ZNS), The Tribune Newspaper, The Nassau Guardian, PAHO, Caribbean Bottling Company, Summit Insurance, and many others who would get proper recognition leading up to and on the night of the awards ceremony.
Tickets are $150 and will be available for purchase on October 21st 2018.
Captions:
Header: The Bahamas Press Club 2014 will hold its Fourth Annual Media Awards on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the British Colonial Hilton. A press conference was held Saturday, October 13 at the Hilton, during which executives outline the awards night’s programme. Also introduced was the Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Recipient, former broadcaster Sir Charles Carter. Sponsors pictured from right are Aneka Stewart, Brand Manager IL Cares Foundation & Verizon Media Group, Title Sponsor of the Media Awards; Sasha Lightbourn, Aliv Media Champion; Anthony Capron, President, The Bhaamas Press Club 2014; and Tanya McFall, PAHO.
Insert: Former broadcaster and newspaper general manager Sir Charles Carter is the recipient of The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented at The Bahamas Press Club Media Awards ceremony on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the British Colonial Hilton. A press conference was held Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Hilton for the announcement. Pictured are Michael Anderson, president, Royal Fidelity, sponsor of The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award; Sir Charles, and Anthony Capron, President, The Bahamas Press Club 2018.
(PHOTO/BAHAMAS PRESS CLUB 2014)
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
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.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
-
News1 week agoBeaches Turks & Caicos shares dining etiquette training at Provo youth summer camp
-
News4 days agoBermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
-
News6 days agoSalt Cay Water Shortage Unresolved as Residents Question Promised Relief
-
Bahamas News4 days agoCBC Supports Opportunities for Young Bahamian Basketball Players
-
Bahamas News3 days agoBahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday