Press Club Member Attends 7th World Congress Against the Death Penalty

February 27, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Bahamian broadcast journalist Deandre Williamson is representing The Bahamas Press Club 2014, at the 7th World Conference Against Death Penalty, in Brussels from February 26 to March 1^st, 2019. She is pictured at the European Parliament.

Press Club Member attends World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Brussels

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Press Club 2014 is pleased to announced that one of its members, broadcast journalist Deandre Williamson will be among media professionals at the 7th World Conference Against Death Penalty, which will be held in Brussels from February 26 to March 1^st, 2019.

Miss Williamson is a former ZNS news reporter, and a former editor and reporter for The Bahama Journal newspaper/JCN. And according to Press Club President Anthony Capron, her presence at the Conference means a proud moment for the organization and the country.

"We in The Bahamas Press Club 2014 are extremely proud of our member Deandre Williamson who is currently in Brussels attending the 7th World Congress Against the Death Penalty,” Mr. Capron reaffirmed.

“With the wide views that will undoubtedly emanate from this universal coalition, Deandrè should be better equipped and prepared to deal with the pros and cons in any discussion about the death penalty."

The Bahamas Press Club was invited to send representation to the Conference because it is a charter member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Press Clubs Federation (ACP-PCF), founded in October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Bahamas Press Club was represented by then President Anthony Newbold, who was appointed Vice President and a member of the Executive Council of the newly-formed African Caribbean & Pacific Press Clubs Federation.

The coordination and support of the ACP-PCF activities is presently based in Brussels.

The ACP-PCF aims to establish a network of national press clubs or press centres, working in collaboration to strengthen the viability and professionalism of media bodies in ACP regions, and to foster intra-ACP communication, cooperation, and networking with similar international bodies around the world. PACP-PCF’s also seeks to create greater awareness of the basic features of the ACP-EU Partnership and build links between ACP and EU countries to facilitate and encourage the exchange of expertise and experience; and raising public awareness of key development issues, including post-Cotonou relations.

The Official Opening Ceremony of the 7th World Congress Against the Death Penalty was held in the European Parliament in Brussels on 27 February.

The event organized by the Ensemble Contre La Peine De Mort - Together Against the Death Penalty, which is the world’s leading abolitionist affair and is expected to bring together many stakeholders from over 140 countries.

Miss Williamson will be able to report on the dialogues and discussions emanating from the sessions, and expand her knowledge about the abolition of the death penalty in various countries.

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For further information contact: Secretary Lindsay Thompson at (242) 434-5643. Email:thebahamaspressclub@gmail.com.

Website: www.bahamaspressclub.org

BPC Meets Marguerite Sullivan

February 25, 2019

Bahamas Press Club and US Embassy held dialogue with Veteran Communication Specialist Marguerite Sullivan

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Press Club 2014 was invited by the United States Embassy in Nassau to participate in a virtual dialogue with veteran communications specialist Marguerite Sullivan, former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club.

The dialogue held Friday, March 22, 2019 at the US Embassy on Queen Street, was part of the embassy public affairs section’s speakers series. Bahamas Press Club Members present were: Anthony Capron, President; Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past President; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary; Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer; and Deandre Williamson, Member; Morgan Adderley, reporter, The Tribune; Penny Rechkemmer, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy, Nassau and Lisa Moxey, Media Specialist, US Embassy, Nassau.

Bahamas Press Club president Anthony Capron expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for the invitation and said that the organization is looking forward to a continued partnership towards media relations.

"On behalf of The Bahamas Press Club, I heartily thank the US Embassy for arranging and facilitating the virtual conversation with Marguerite Sullivan,” Mr. Capron said.

“Ms Sullivan's breadth and scope of experience in journalism and in the leadership of the National Press Club in Washington, DC, can be of a beneficial resource to The Bahamas Press Club, and we will certainly take advantage of that."

Ms Sullivan, who serves as the senior director of the Centre on International Media Assistance, a think tank on international media and good governance issues, talked about the nuances of running such organizations, offered suggestions on growing press club membership and prominence, and the struggles the club’s American counterpart has faced.

She noted the National Press Club is a “multi-faceted” organization, with its core tenets including freedom of the press, opportunities to cover newsmakers, social events, and providing support.  And, that the organization shies away from lobbying but seeks to educate and spread awareness about matters of national and international concern.

Ms Sullivan also pointed out that the National Press Club is “very aggressive” regarding issues tackling freedom of speech and defending the rights of journalists’ world over.

In October 2018, The Bahamas Press Club issued a statement; calling out Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest for his criticism of a local journalist from the floor of Parliament, saying the time is “long past” for journalists to be dictated to by politicians in power.

The virtual dialogue held at the US Embassy on February 22, is the first on the list of plans and activities the Press Club will engage in, during the year culminating with its Fifth Annual Media Awards in November.

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Morgan Adderley, Reporter, The Tribune contributed to this press release.

For further information contact: Secretary Lindsay Thompson at (242) 434-5643. Email:thebahamaspressclub@gmail.com.

Website: www.bahamaspressclub.org

The United States Embassy in Nassau invited The Bahamas Press Club 2014 to engage in a dialogue with communication specialist Marguerite Sullivan as a part of its Public Affairs Section’s Speaker Series. Ms Sullivan is a former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club. The session was held on Friday, February 22, 2019 between 10:30am - 11:30am at the U.S. Embassy, Queen Street. Pictured from left are: Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past President; Deandre Williamson, member; Anthony Capron, President; Penny Rechkemmer, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Nassau; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary, Bahamas Press Club; and Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer, Bahamas Press Club.

(PHOTO/US Embassy)

The United States Embassy in Nassau invited The Bahamas Press Club 2014 to engage in a dialogue with communication specialist Marguerite Sullivan as a part of its Public Affairs Section’s Speaker Series. Ms Sullivan is a former president of the Washington Press Club, now the National Press Club. The session was held on Friday, February 22, 2019 between 10:30am - 11:30am at the U.S. Embassy, Queen Street. On screen via Skpye is Ms Sullivan. Present were: Anthony Newbold, Immediate Past President; Deandre Williamson, member; Anthony Capron, President; Penny Rechkemmer, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Nassau; Lindsay Thompson, Secretary, Bahamas Press Club; Vincent Vaughan, Treasurer, Bahamas Press Club; and Morgan Adderley, Reporter, The Tribune.

(PHOTO/US Embassy)