Starcom parts ways with Goddard

The Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) is questioning a decision by Starcom Network Inc to part ways with its president, Keith Goddard. 

Sources at the River Road, St Michael organisation revealed that during a recent meeting with top management, the senior journalist was informed that his services would no longer be required.

Barbados TODAY understands that during a meeting in late April, newsroom staff were informed of the company’s intention to promote Goddard, a senior freelance reporter and two junior reporters to staff-level newsroom positions.

Another senior staffer was also offered a new role but the terms seemed more unfavourable when compared with the existing position. Sources say Goddard raised some concern about the impact of the move on the livelihood of his colleague and the smooth functioning of the newsroom.

Days later, the BARJAM president informed management of his intention to take a few days off to attend to personal matters. When he returned to the River Road station on May 7, Goddard was called into a meeting with management and instead of offering him the promised staff contract, he was told that his services were no longer required. At the time, he was reportedly told that his separation from the company was a consequence of his objections to the expressed plans of management.

There is no word on the impact of the saga on the other senior journalist, but that personality’s presence has been noticeably absent from the airwaves.

The developments unfolded less than three months after veteran journalist David Ellis retired as Starcom Network’s Station Manager. He was replaced by Anthony Green.

When contacted, Goddard told Barbados TODAY: “All I can confirm is that I am no longer there and BARJAM has decided that they will write to Starcom to seek a meeting to understand what transpired or led to the decision.”

Green, however, said he would not be commenting on internal matters affecting staff.

“I think you would respect that these are internal matters and given the nature of these matters, I am not at liberty to discuss,” the station manager added.
(KS)