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BAHAMAS: PM Launches Second Phase of BCB’s HD TV Platform at the Northern Service

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#Freeport, GB, July 27, 2019 – Bahamas – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis affirmed that Bahamian journalism should maintain the best practices of the profession and fulfill its indispensable function in a democratic society as he addressed the launch the second phase of the Broadcasting Corporation’s Hi Definition (HD) Television platform at the Northern Service, today.

With the achievement of full HD digital, Prime Minister Minnis said it is essential that the journalists at ZNS continue to improve their skill sets and knowledge base in Bahamian civics, history, and international current affairs, and provide accurate and timely news and information.

He observed, “These days, the Bahamian people, like others around the world, are being assaulted and misled by fake news disseminated in lightning speed on social media. They are also misled by some who have no journalistic training, and who are quite often ill-informed.” As such, he highlighted the responsibility of the broadcasters, and others in the profession, to bring balance.

The Prime Minister, who also is Minister with responsibility for Broadcasting, was joined at the ceremony by Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest; Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson; along with Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis.

Prime Minister Minnis noted that the new equipment installed at the Northern Service completes the entire digitization of ZNS.

“ZNS has come a long way, having evolved out of the Bahamas Telegraph Department,” said Dr. Minnis.  “Tonight marks 42 years since the opening of ZNS television in 1977.   I trust that the broadcasters at the Northern Service will embrace the opportunity that this upgrade provides to improve programming in terms of technical quality and content.

“Let me encourage the Northern Service here in Grand Bahama to provide enhanced local programming. These may include more live interaction with New Providence in the morning television show and enhancements in regular news updates, the evening news and television specials.

“Whatever technology is used in whatever age, it is the quality of producers, directors and journalists who make the difference in broadcast journalism.”

Prime Minister Minnis said that even as ZNS has now become fully digital, the Government of The Bahamas has embarked on a revolution in digital technology that will boost national development throughout the islands of the Bahamas.

He noted that the use of such advanced technology will reduce the cost of government, especially in a far-flung archipelago, such as The Bahamas.

“A few months ago, we signed a $30-million-dollar loan with the Inter-American Development Bank for the digital transformation of government,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“This digital transformation initiative has three components: simplifying and digitizing government procedures; strengthening institutional capacity for a digital government; and enhancing transparency and accountability in government.

“This digital transformation program, will give rise to a single window for doing business with government in order to improve the ease of doing business for Bahamians and for international investors.  It will also support the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, which is a part of our efforts to deepen democracy.”

Prime Minister Minnis said the digital transformation of The Bahamas is rapidly gathering momentum, as the government seeks to ensure that The Bahamas utilizes the technology necessary for every island to take full advantage of the 21st Century global economy.

By Andrew Coakley

Release: BIS

Photo Captions:

BIS PHOTOS/LISA DAVIS

LAUNCHING FULL HD DIGITAL IN THE NORTH – Prime Minister, the Most Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis was the keynote speaker, July 26, 2019.  On stage in the background is Mike Smith, Chairman of ZNS, and Darren Meadows, in charge of Production at ZNS.

PM AT MASTER CONTROL – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis gets a chance to take over the main board of Master Control in the studios of ZNS Northern Bahamas, during a tour of the facilities on Friday, July 26, 2019 as a part of the official launch of full HD digital programming in the North.

NEW STUDIO, NEW LOOK – Prime Minister Minnis (centre), along with Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest (5th right); Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (3rd left) and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information and Communication, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe (5th left) are joined by executives of the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas in the newly renovated studios of ZNS Northern Bahamas, during a tour of the facilities on Friday, July 26, 2019.

CUTTING THE CAKE – Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Minister with responsibility for Broadcasting, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, gets a helping hand as he cut the cake in celebration of the launch of full HD digital ZNS Northern Bahamas, following an official ceremony on Friday, July 26, 2019 in the Harold DeGregory building. 

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Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

 

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RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew. 

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.” 

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.” 

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations. 

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash. 

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described. 

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating. 

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”

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