TRIBUTE TO HAROLD HOYTE: The Barbados Broadcasting Authority

For a man who always had an interest in becoming the ultimate journalist, Harold Hoyte’s name will forever be etched indelibly on the pages of media history in Barbados.

His vision for the Nation Newspaper is adequately chronicled and his first Editor Carl Moore reminds us of the precision and professionalism the profession demonstrated at the time it was established in 1973.

Harold Hoyte was the archetypal journalist. He was curious about everything; astute in his observations as evidenced in his writings; amiable and affable in dealing with people, with the most infectious laugh that brought a smile to the most wooden of faces.

His advice to young journalists remains as relevant today as it was when he gave it:” If you do not bring a sense of social conscience to the job, then you’re not going to carry it out in the way that you should, because you will not be able to appreciate the role that the media has to play.”

Perhaps our best tribute to this eminent journalist, who often shared his political analysis in the broadcast media during elections, is to raise the bar in the quality of our local journalism. His death is a timely reminder of what world class journalism looks like. It behoves us all to revisit the tenets of the Fourth Estate and honour this noble profession. Let us all place less emphasis on being a star and more on the substance of the story; less on fake news and more on facts; less on personality and more on principle. Harold Hoyte was an exemplar for the media profession. We honour his work and salute his legacy.

The Barbados Broadcasting Authority joins the media fraternity in sending condolences to his wife and children as well as his immediate family and extended media family.

May he rest in peace.

Dr. Allyson Leacock – Chairman