Barbados tops region at CBU Media Awards

Barbados has emerged as the region’s top performer at the 37th Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards, collecting 15 awards across several local media organisations.

The haul put Barbados ahead of Jamaica, which secured 14 awards, while Trinidad and Tobago collected six and Belize five.

Barbados also received eight Special Mentions at the awards ceremony, held in Georgetown, Guyana, on Wednesday night.

The Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) led the local contingent with seven awards and one Special Mention.

The Nation Publishing Company secured three awards and four Special Mentions, while Capital Media HD 99.3, making its first appearance in the competition, also collected three awards.

Starcom Network added two awards and a Special Mention to the country’s tally.

Plan A Productions and the National Transformation Initiative, both first-time participants, each received a Special Mention.

The showing came after strong Barbadian representation among this year’s nominees. 

St Lucia Times also made its mark in its first appearance at the CBU Media Awards, securing two awards and a Special Mention. McAllister Hunt won Best Sports Photograph and Best News Photograph, while Behind the Culture: Behind the Stage received a Special Mention in the Caribbean Arts & Culture category.

The awards were accepted by CEO and Publisher of St Lucia Times and Barbados TODAY Hermina Elcock.

Jamaica remained close behind Barbados in the final results, with the RJRGLEANER Communications Group accounting for 13 of that country’s 14 awards. Jamaica also received four Special Mentions.

Trinidad and Tobago finished with six awards and nine Special Mentions, while Belize secured five awards and four Special Mentions.

The 37th edition of the awards attracted hundreds of entries from media organisations and practitioners across the Caribbean, spanning radio, television, print and digital journalism, as well as advertising, themed and content-creation categories.

The competition also included student categories covering radio, television, print, digital content and photography.

The CBU Media Awards recognise excellence in Caribbean journalism and media production.

(BT)