#BTEditorial – David served journalism well

Media houses in Barbados, like most parts of the world, have had their fair share of characters with big personalities. Some have been truly larger than life, commanding the admiration of others in the fraternity, while others were giants, but only in their minds.

The profession of journalism requires people who are bold, resourceful, and willing to push the envelope. Journalists must be prepared to go further, dig deeper, face-off with the toughest, and sometimes the most obnoxious, to get information that is in the public’s interest.

Timidity is not a quality that will get you too far. Either your colleagues will push you around and overlook you, or the public will view you as much too patsy, to be taken seriously.

But occasionally, every profession produces its own colossus. There is one who stands out in the crowd, whose talent and performance rise above colleagues because of the consistently high-quality work, produced over a sustained period.

We can assign, without contention, Mr David Ellis, the station manager at Starcom Network to the august list of Barbados’ best journalists. Today, Mr Ellis said goodbye, officially, from his career at Voice of Barbados, after some 40 years in the profession, the bulk of which were spent at that company’s River Road, Bridgetown base.

Another proud graduate of Ellerslie Secondary School, Ellis today reflected on his early entry to the profession. His reflection on the period when he felt he carried the burden and expectations of a young journalist from a newer secondary school, entering Barbados Rediffusion where he was surrounded by older secondary school graduates, some of whom saw his as a bit of an exception.

That was then. The revered journalist, who turned 65 Friday, has interviewed and tussled with every prime minister Barbados has produced during his four-decade long career.

An inspiration to young journalists, Mr Ellis commands respect because he is prepared for his encounters; he is widely read on historical and contemporary issues; his presentation skills are stellar, and he is as sharp as the Bob Woodwards and Carl Bersteins of this world.

As no better accolade can be given than one from your colleagues. And so, it was heart-warming to hear tributes flow from the greats such as Linda Walrond, Julian Rogers, Vic Fernandes and Dr Allyson Leacock.

It was Waldron’s tribute that put Mr Ellis’ career in perspective.  She told listeners on Down to Brass-tacks: “You were something of an oddity. As 40-plus years ago, the staffing in the announcing and news department [of what is now Starcom Network] comprised mainly the output of the older secondary schools . .“You were a young newsman from Ellerslie Secondary School, but it was not long before we started to speak of you in other terms, remarking on an obvious talent for getting to the bottom of the story and an aptitude for quick learning and absorbing the fundamental need to shoot only for the best – to do things well, and your clear lack of fear when dealing with difficult interviewees, in particular politicians.”

She said the retiring newsman carved a reputation as someone to be trusted and to be relied on for the facts. And he was unapologetic for a no-nonsense professionalism.

From the contemporary group of journalists, Emmanuel Joseph, president of the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) spoke highly of Mr Ellis’ fearlessness and his fairness to interviewees.

Representing the true character of this respected journalist, Mr Ellis in turn, reflected on those who influenced his career and provided a template and model for his own path to excellence.

In magnanimous fashion, this retiring, outstanding member of the fraternity showered praise on those who paved the way for him. He highlighted George Hall and retired senior broadcast journalist, Claude Graham, of the state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) where Mr Ellis worked for four years.

“[Graham] was a stickler for standards . . . I have heard CBC receive a lot of criticism over the years for its political bias but when I was there, I heard men stand up, and talk about what was required, and the question of being able to function as a professional . . . . Claude Graham epitomized that. So too did Trevor Simpson,” Ellis told the station’s expansive listenership.

He has covered issues from the Grenada Revolution to Barbados’ general elections, to the men on the block trying to find their place in the Barbadian society. He has also carved a niche in business reporting and as a formidable radio talk-show host.

As he turns another page in his illustrious career, we say: “Well done Mr Ellis, you have been a credit to our profession.”