Breaking: David de Caires passes away
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.
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My condolences to his entire family, including those at SN.
What we do, let us do it right and well.
David de Caires was one of the few who did it right and well.
He will rest in peace.
WHAT A GREAT LOSS TODAY FOR GUYANA AAND THE PRESS ASSOCIATION
My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all.
One must never forget the sterling contribution that was done by Mr. De Caires and Stabroek News in the struggle for democracy in Guyana pre-1992.
From its very beginning, Stabroek News has always been seen and recognized as a true Peoples’ Paper. The Letter to the Editor pages has always been open to all in its print media, and now I see the same openness being demonstrated in its electronic media.
Red Lion
I sincerely hope that whoever takes up the mantle maintains this independence, and continues to respect in its reporting the views of all sides, and continues to put PEOPLE first - ALL of the people.
My deepest condolences.
http://www.gtrl.tv/truth.html
RL
My Mom had always held him up to me as a role model. To sit in front of him was an honour.
I had just finished high school, and armed with a Diploma in Journalism from a correspondence school in Britain, sat across from the man who would in the next five years shape my life more than any other single human being.
I have since known other outstanding men who have mentored me - including the alternative energy expert Joseph O’Lall who recently passed away in Guyana.
But from that first day that I met Mr deCaires, I had discovered my place in the world.
He believed in me, nurtured me in my impetuous youth, counseled me, and gave me amazing breaks. His decision to send me on a journalism work study program to Miami, Florida was a defining moment in my life. His decision to promote me from a proofreader to a junior reporter on the recommendation of Elfrieda Bramble demonstrates the humility and kindness of the man.
Because of deCaires, I set my sights on greatness as a human being. Because of deCaires I believe in the nobility of Man. Because of deCaires I treasure my youth. Because of deCaires I developed a keen sense of observing life and people; I learned to be curios and I learned to objectively investigate society’s problems. Because of deCaires, I learned to love compassionate justice.
I believe his place in Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s history is secured, forever. He lived his life seeking only compassionate justice - in human rights, politics and economic matters.
I remember writing a column for the Stabroek News championing laissez faire economics, and he refused to publish it, because although he loved the free market, he was too humane and compassionate to allow his ideology to override his sense of fair play - he believed there must be checks and balances to allow for weaknesses in capitalism. I also remember him assigning me to investigate and report on suspicious extra-judicial deaths in Guyana, and how concerned he was that so-called criminals were being killed without a fair trial.
deCaires gave me the gift of being able to grow up in my generation in Guyana with courage, a humane worldview, and a deep sense of care for the welfare of society.
This he was - a man with a deep sense of care for society. He lived to better the world. The best tribute I can pay him is to emulate that simple philosophy - I will live as he taught me - to care for the betterment of society, to see every human being in society benefit from a fair playing field.
Thank you, David deCaires - for giving your heart and soul to a nation, and helping individuals like me escape the ‘lost generation’ of Guyana’s dark years. Thank you for shaping my worldview and giving me the gift to live a noble, compassionate life.
I live now in Canada as a writer, media innovator and author because one man believed in my youth. Thank you, David deCaires. Good fruits have sprung from your awesome life.
Shaun Michael Samaroo
My condolences to the family
What a great loss for Guyana
Mr.Decaires was the pioneer in bringing back a free press to this country
I AM EXTREMELY SAD AT HIS PASSING
My Condolences to the Family and the Management and Staff of Stabroek News.
” Death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release ;
the physician of him whom medicine cannot cure ;
the comforter of him whom time cannot console ” !,,,,,
a sad day for the nation ,, for Mr. DeCaires can not be envied if one were to give him the benefit of the accolade ,, as the gallant warrior in the fight for the restoration of DEMOCRACY !……
to those near and dear to him ,, and those with whom he mantained the course
for the promulgation of this essential principle in the daily lives of all ,, i think his soul will be at peace ,, if the foundation he so astutely laid ,, is held as the flagship for democracy in GY ! long live STABROEK NEWS ! long LIVE the memory of DAVID DeCaires ! long be the sustenance of DEMOCRACY in GY ,, and may all in GY mourn his passing !,,,
” THANK YOU for the memories…….
My sympathy goes out to his family and all those who were touched by his sincerity in the media arena.
I am sadden by the passing of this great Icon.
Your newspaper has indeed lost a person who made a significant contribution to the print media in Guyana. I extend my deepest condolences to the immediate family, friends and all who are saddened by his passing. To you, Mr Editor, and everyone else at Stabroek News, allow God be your strength during this period.
I had the privilege of photographing Mr. de Caires on many occasions and locations in Guyana; to me he was always a pleasant person.
May he; “Rest In Peace.”
David EA Jenkins.
Tangerine
I remember being called up to his office to explain the first rule of journalism. As far as he was concerned, the first rule of journalism is, “getting the other side’s story”. He always insisted the newspaper’s reporters presented the news in a balanced manner.
No newspaper, no media house for that matter, can ever be fully apolitical but in Guyana, Stabroek news came closest to presenting the news in a clear, unbiased manner which did not pander to either side of the political divide. This was a major achivement at a time in Guyanese history when political intent could be attributed to a citizen’s most ordinary actions. Almost fifteen years after leaving Guyana, I still read the Stabroek News as a way of getting the most balanced view of the news from home.
When someone of stature dies, one wonders who will carry on where he left off. That is the challenge for those remaining at Stabroek News - to continue the tradition. May the memory of David de Caires live on.
Mr De Caries is one of Guyana’s heroes,who first launched Stabroek news,and ended an era of suppression of the free press.
Have always read his editorials,and have found his views realistic both on the local and world scene.This paper has been,and hope will continue to be a great source of “how things really are in Guyana”,for those of us living abroad.
R.R.R ( TX)
Condolences to the family. He shall be surely missed
I do not know Mr de Caires on a personal level, however I deeply treasure his gift of STABROEK NEWS to all Guyanese patriots and in presenting objective news and other material of interest in a thoroughly professional manner.
The messages of sympathy in this discussion thread richly illustrate how precious Stabroek News has become to all of us.
My condolences to the Stabroek News Family and indeed we should all work to keep Mr de Caires’ ideals alive into the future.
He was a principled man who stuck with his convictions, in spite of the pressures he faced to conform with the message the government wanted portrayed.
Fortunately, he lived to see the restriction placed by the government on ads being placed in his newspaper lifted.
Sincere condolences to his family and the staff of the Stabroek News. Gone too soon.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
It is with deep sadness that I learnt today of the passing of my friend and colleague David De Caires. David was co-founder, along with Lloyd Best and Miles Fitzpatrick, of the New World Journal in 1963, which called for a bipartisan, indigenous development programme in Guyana and a coalition government that would heal the fractures in the national movement which had splintered along racial lines. David De Caires went on to be founder and Managing Editor of the New World Fortnightly, which was published in Georgetown for several years in the 1960s as voice of independent opinion and critical analysis of Guyanese and West Indian affairs. His most outstanding achievement was undoubtedly the creation and sustaining of Stabroek News, which has justly established a reputation as of the finest daily newspapers in the region, a beacon of independent and informed analysis and fearless defender of press freedom.
David was above all a man of great intelligence, wide reading, unimpeachable integrity, and enduring humour. My sincere condolences are extended to his widow Doreen, the other members of his family and the staff of Stabroek News.
Norman Girvan
University of the West Indies
My condolences to Mrs. Doreen de Caires and rest of family.
Mohamed Khan
I have never met this man, yet I feel as if I have known him all my life. In an article he published in Caribbean Contact in 1979, he openly wondered :”why every time a new political party is founded in Guyana, it always embraces Marxism - Are the people to be left w/o a choice?”.
He was concerned about the lack of space in which a free press, democracy and free market economy can be given a chance. In 1986 he did something about it. He founded an independent newspaper - and this became a silver bullet for the return of democracy and indeed a free market economy.
As a U.S.-based lobbyist Free and Fair Elections in 1990-92, his paper was a great educational tool. We xeroxed relevant articles by the hundreds and circulated to thousands of people - including Congressmen, whose support we needed. The paper in 1990-92 read like a Free and Fair Elections broadsheet.
Two years ago his came paper came under attack by the govt. for its independent editorial and news reporting. I wrote letters protesting govt’s action and lobbied U.S. Congressmen for support. Hundreds of people protested. One day I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from him thanking me for my support. He was meticulous about detail and never failing to express gratitude for small things.
De Caires - true patriot. Devoted his whole life for the betterment of his nation.
This is a sad day for all Guyana, Guyana has lost a great and courageous son. Mr. de Caires has cemented his place in the echelon of great Guyanese stalwarts, Martin Carter, Walter Rodney, Eusi Kwayana, Cheddi Jagan, etc. Eusi being the only one among the greats still alive.
In a time of need Mr. De Caires fought and gave Guyana the essential tool for the emergence of democracy. When the Stabroek News was established in 1986, it ushered in the era of the free press, and though the free press and democracy in Guyana is continually threatened, Mr. De Caires and the Stabroek News, in the face of enormous challenge continued to struggle for the fundamental human right of expression.
Monsieur l’abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.”
–Voltaire
Mr. de Caire contribution to Guyana is the freedom of expression, let us not take this for granted. May his soul rest in peace
Condolences to the family…….
May you R_I_P Sir…..
The team at SN was part of the experience of giving us quality stuff. Now his succesors at SN will have to preserve and perpetuate the standards he set. Be vigilant that the paper not shrink to the temper found elsewhere in the media environment. However, let’s say we have confidence in you guys. On a personal note, few Editors, notably De Caires and Lloyd Best have had the breadth and indulgence to publish some of the often difficult stuff I submitted. And that others had printed also. Which is to say trhat they were among the few to appreciate that a newspaper has to cater for all of the “publics” that exist in a country. Too often the media pitches its stuff at fourteen year olds. More of an indication of the capacities of its managers than of the needs of the reading public. De Caires proved that a good mix can work.. That it is part of good professional standards.
AND THE STAF OF STABROEKNEWS-
WHAT A LOST
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
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.
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 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