The Editor-in-Chief of the Stabroek News, David de Caires passed away this morning in Barbados where he had gone for medical evaluation.
De Caires, 70, had suffered a heart attack in August and had been hospitalized in Guyana for several days before being flown to Trinidad. He returned to Guyana and had proceeded to Barbados last week for a further medical assessment.
De Caires was the driving force behind the start of the Stabroek News in October 1986.
The board, management and staff of the newspaper are deeply saddened at his passing and extend their condolences to his family.
Update: Saturday 3:05PM, November 1st, 2008
Press Release
Statement by the Board and Management of Guyana Publications Inc, Publishers of the Stabroek News and the Sunday Stabroek
It is with deep regret that Guyana Publications Inc. announces the passing of its Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, Mr David de Caires.
Mr de Caires, 70, had suffered a heart attack on August 14, 2008 and was subsequently hospitalized in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. He returned to Guyana where he had been recuperating and proceeded two weeks ago to Barbados for further medical tests. He passed away this morning in Barbados.
GPI is deeply saddened at his passing. Mr de Caires launched the Stabroek News in 1986 as he saw a pressing need for the opening up of the media to allow a mirror to be held up to society. Together with his wife, the former Managing Director of GPI, Mrs Doreen de Caires, Caribbean media owners – particularly, Mr Ken Gordon of the Trinidad Express – and many friends in Guyana, Mr de Caires ploughed ahead with the start-up of the newspaper in 1986. He was guided by several principles: the need for an open society based on the rule of law, a free market economy and the holding of free and fair elections.
Not formally trained as a newspaper man Mr de Caires would often say how he wished he had been a journalist all of his life instead of being trained as a solicitor.
He was deeply passionate about journalism and driven by the purest objectives of the profession: to present the news accurately and stripped of sensation and commentary, to make certain that all sides of the story were told and to always ensure balance.
Mr de Caires would often quote to reporters the legendary C.P. Scott dictum `Comment is free, facts are sacred’. His work ethic was also extraordinary and he would never tire of admonishing reporters about the need for perseverance in the pursuit of stories the way Woodward and Bernstein did in the Watergate Scandal.
One of his lasting legacies to openness is the manner in which he enabled Guyanese society to begin speaking again in the years of undemocratic rule. He pioneered the well-read letter pages of the Stabroek News which in their heyday grew to three pages every day. Therein, citizens from all walks of life were able to express their views, highlight their grievances and call for action. He was proudest of this development and devoted much of his time to editing letters.
He was also an impassioned champion of press freedom and spoke out widely in the Caribbean and further afield wherever infringements were evident. It was right here in Guyana that he faced down the assault on press freedom in November 2006 when the government withdrew state advertising from the Stabroek News. Mr de Caires spearheaded the campaign for the return of the advertising and had been deeply aggrieved that a democratic state which had signed the Declaration of Chapultepec on press freedom could so violate it.
His role as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief aside, Mr de Caires will be remembered by all those who worked with him as a kind and compassionate employer. He was always solicitous of the concerns of his employee and generous in his words of comfort.
He will be deeply missed by the profession, the newspaper and his employee and friends.
On behalf of the board and management, GPI extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr de Caires.
A true Guyanese Leader has left us, Now more than ever his principles must be upheld , and not be sacrificed in vain at the altar of lackeys… Stand Tall SN Stand Tall.
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF DAVID CAIRES
AND THE STAF OF STABROEKNEWS-
WHAT A LOST
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this comment. I knew Mr de Caires was not feeling very well, yet I had harbored the hope that with his tenacity he would fight death and he would be there when I return to Guyana and we would have a karoke party like we did at Christmas time when I worked at the Stabroek News. I envisioned us singing “I did it my way” Mr de Caires’ favorite karoke song. For those who knew him that song aptly described this man who could be an ominous fellow one time and a gentle joking one another time. I love Mr de Caires and I am very hurt by his passing.
He had given me chance when no one ekse would,he change me from a horrible writer to an okay one. He mentored and tutored me along the way sometimes castigating and other times encouraging.I love to tell the story of how he viewed my first story with horror and let me know that it was terrible. I was scared of him for weeks after until one Saturday when he told me that I had the potential to be a good writer and that when I reached that point he would let me know. A year and some months later, one Monday morning I was told Mr de Caires wanted to see me, my heart fell for it was not often that he called you in for niceties, and so I timidly entered his office and he said “you did it, I thoroughly enjoyed your story on Arathak Mission…” To this day, I still carry that good feeling I felt that day.
Mr de Caires was a man of integrity. He was honest and he did not mince words or sugar coated his comments for he, in his wisdom knew that constructive criticism had to be delivered in a manner that would benefit the recipient. I think I am rambling but Mr de Caires death has realy shocked me even though I know he was not enjoying the best of health. Spending time chatting and singing with him was one of several must do things on my return to Guyana and his passing has made me really sad.
My deepest sympathy to Mrs de Caires, Brendon, Isabel and other relatives and friends. Also to the staff of Stabroek News, I know that you will all miss him very much as I, who left eight years ago will remember, miss and deeply regrets his death.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rest in peace good sir and I know death did not find you sleeping.
My deepest sympathy to the De Caires family. May his soul rest in peace. Mr. De Caires has opened the way for many of us with views not supported by the mainstream media to have a medium of expression. Rest assured knowing that though not “physically” present, even though he is in his offspring, his spirit will be eternal. As long as his works are continued know that his inspiration will be present.
GOD do not make mistake.he took DAVID to his heavenly home at the ripe age of 70.i have never met David but i know he is a good man.may the GOOD LORD continues to take charge of his earthly families and friends.
I am at a loss for words to describe how this news has shocked me! I thought when I go back home next year for a visit I would say hello to my first boss and also Miles Fitzpatrick. I was interviewed by Mr. de Caires and was a bundle of nerves on my first job interview. My memory serves me right when I say, I will never forget my working experience with him as a stenographer (i loved taking dictation from him), and to this day I have yet to meet some anyone who was as articulate as he was with the English language. I am what I am today due to his patience and guidance, Mr. de Caires was always generous with his time and made sure that I participated in civic activities during the Xmas holidays. He could have easily brushed it off and enjoy his time with his family. But, that would not be David de Caires….he saw everyone as an equal no matter what the color of your skin was and he cared enough to do something about it! He was special and I am truly grateful for the 6years i spent under his tutelage. So much has come out of my tenure with his and Miles Fitzpatrick’s law firm.
I contacted him a few years ago and he was as eloquent as I recall…always a gentleman and a decent human being. He truly cared about his country and made it his conviction to make a CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR ALL OF GUYANA’S PEOPLE. HE WAS A VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE AND HE FOUND A MEDIUM TO BE HEARD. HE WAS AN IDEALIST AND BELIEVED HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES……HE DID IN MY LIFE AND I AM SADDENED TO LEARN OF HIS SUDDEN PASSING. .
Please convey my deepest condolences to Doreen, Isabella, Brendan an their families on the loss of a dear and special human being. David de Cairies was first a human being and that is so lacking in our world. Every now and then we get a glimpse of a special human being and by touching our lives we are never the same,that is the kind of effect Mr. de Caires had on many people.
I cannot describe the sadness I feel at this time on learning about the passing of Mr. de Caires. He will be remembered as much for his gentle, unassuming manner as for his intelligent mind. Mr. de Caires was always warm and caring toward his employees. SN has suffered a great loss. My heart goes out to Mrs. de Caires and family as well as the staff of SN.
David was a true visionary, a man with a legendary sense of fairness and a matching humility. He always had a sense of what a real Guyana can be. David is among the great sons of the soil.
I have always been impressed by his faith, especially for the nation’s young, and his desire to inspire their personal and professional growth.
Many souls, including myself, have had a better life because of this man. It was blessing to me to have our life paths crossed many years ago. His contribution to Guyanese society is immeasurable. RIP.
Justin DeFreitas
I am praying for the family that loss their children in the army accident. I heard that colwin body has to be beary where he was found, this is rediculous soliders in the U.S. that died in Iraq even their bones will come home to their country. this accident took place in guyana why they cannot take the boy where he belongs on less the army is hiding evidence. If that was my child I would have taken him home I done care how badly decomposed he was this is very wrong. The mother should not take no for an answer. He deserve a proper burial like a true soldier.