#Nassau, February 27, 2019 – Bahamas – The Bahamas Press Club 2014 was invited by the United States Embassy in Nassau to participate in a virtual dialogue with veteran communications specialist Marguerite Sullivan, former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club.
The dialogue
held Friday, March 22, 2019 at the US Embassy on Queen Street, was part of the
embassy public affairs section’s speakers series. Bahamas Press Club Members
present were: Anthony Capron, President; Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past
President; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary; Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer; and Deandre
Williamson, Member; Morgan Adderley, reporter, The Tribune; Penny Rechkemmer,
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy, Nassau and Lisa Moxey, Media Specialist,
US Embassy, Nassau.
Bahamas Press
Club president Anthony Capron expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for the
invitation and said that the organization is looking forward to a continued
partnership towards media relations.
“On behalf
of The Bahamas Press Club, I heartily thank the US Embassy for arranging and
facilitating the virtual conversation with Marguerite Sullivan,” Mr. Capron said.
“Ms Sullivan’s
breadth and scope of experience in journalism and in the leadership of the
National Press Club in Washington, DC, can be of a beneficial resource to The
Bahamas Press Club, and we will certainly take advantage of that.”
Ms Sullivan, who
serves as the senior director of the Centre on International Media Assistance,
a think tank on international media and good governance issues, talked about
the nuances of running such organizations, offered suggestions on growing press
club membership and prominence, and the struggles the club’s American
counterpart has faced.
She noted the
National Press Club is a “multi-faceted” organization, with its core tenets
including freedom of the press, opportunities to cover newsmakers, social
events, and providing support. And, that
the organization shies away from lobbying but seeks to educate and spread
awareness about matters of national and international concern.
Ms Sullivan
also pointed out that the National Press Club is “very aggressive” regarding issues
tackling freedom of speech and defending the rights of journalists’ world over.
In October
2018, The Bahamas Press Club issued a statement; calling out Deputy Prime
Minister Peter Turnquest for his criticism of a local journalist from the floor
of Parliament, saying the time is “long past” for journalists to be dictated to
by politicians in power.
The virtual
dialogue held at the US Embassy on February 22, is the first on the list of
plans and activities the Press Club will engage in, during the year culminating
with its Fifth Annual Media Awards in November.
Release: The Bahamas Press Club
Morgan
Adderley, Reporter, The Tribune contributed to this press release.
For
further information contact: Secretary Lindsay Thompson at (242) 434-5643.
Email:thebahamaspressclub@gmail.com.
Website:
www.bahamaspressclub.org
Photo Captions:
Header: The United States Embassy in Nassau invited The Bahamas Press Club 2014 to engage in a dialogue with communication specialist Marguerite Sullivan as a part of its Public Affairs Section’s Speaker Series. Ms Sullivan is a former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club. The session was held on Friday, February 22, 2019 between 10:30am – 11:30am at the U.S. Embassy, Queen Street. Pictured from left are: Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past President; Deandre Williamson, member; Anthony Capron, President; Penny Rechkemmer, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Nassau; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary, Bahamas Press Club; and Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer, Bahamas Press Club.(
Insert: The United States Embassy in Nassau invited The Bahamas Press Club 2014 to engage in a dialogue with communication specialist Marguerite Sullivan as a part of its Public Affairs Section’s Speaker Series. Ms Sullivan is a former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club. The session was held on Friday, February 22, 2019 between 10:30am – 11:30am at the U.S. Embassy, Queen Street. On screen via Skpye is Ms Sullivan. Present were: Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past President; Deandre Williamson, member; Anthony Capron, President; Penny Rechkemmer, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Nassau; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary, Bahamas Press Club; Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer, Bahamas Press Club; and Morgan Adderley, Reporter, The Tribune.
(PHOTOS/US Embassy)