CARIBBEAN MEDIA WIN BIG AT CMEx SAN JUAN

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (February 16, 2006) -  More Caribbean journalists – from Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Lucia - have been honored for their pursuit of excellence in tourism coverage at the 8th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism at the Normandie Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico last weekend.

Hosted by Counterpart International and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, one of the 2006 CMEx Caribbean Media Awards went to Maricelis Rivera Santos of El Vocero newspaper in Puerto Rico. The accomplished reporter and member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Press Association, was honored for her coverage of environmental issues such as global warming, water pollution, the urbanism that is invading the El Yunque rainforest and the survival struggles of Puerto Rico's native parrot. She has been previously honored for her work by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Overseas Press Club and the Environmental Quality Board.

Member of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Anika Kentish of Observer Radio in Antigua and Barbuda, was honored for her excellence in covering travel and tourism issues, and the excellent standards she brings to the profession. Kentish was described by CMEx organizers as an outstanding media professional worthy of emulation, especially by young reporters joining the industry. A news producer at the radio station, Kentish is a founding member of the Antigua and Barbuda Media Congress, and has taken a keen interest in matters relating to the CARICOM Single Market, the Caribbean Court of Justice as well as sustainable tourism and environmental issues.

St. Lucian Ernie Seon, also an ACM member, was recognized for his prolific coverage of Caribbean tourism issues in the region throughout the past few years. Seon, a veteran reporter, who writes for the Caribbean Media Corporation's wire service, has kept tourism issues in the eyes of the Caribbean and St. Lucian public throughout the years. He is considered one of the region's most accomplished tourism writers, who not only reports on tourism issues, but has a thorough understanding of the impact of travel and tourism on the region's economy. A correspondent for both AFP and Agencia EFE, he helped coordinate a UNESCO-sponsored ACM media training event for Caribbean journalists in his native St. Lucia which took place this week.

On a lighter note, in the talent component of the CMEx event, ACM General Secretary Wesley Gibbings won top honors for delivering a rhythmic poem on Cuba; while Patrice Bascombe, a youth delegate from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Angela Audain, wife of Nation newspaper executive Anthony Audain of Barbados, scored big with the judges for inspiring gospel renditions that transformed the Escambrón Beach Restaurant restaurant in San Juan into a praise and worship service. They won vacations at Coco Resorts and Bay Gardens Hotel in St. Lucia, and Almond Resorts in Barbados. CMEx explored the theme "Sustainable Development: A Balancing Act," as delegates took a serious look at the quality of journalism in the Caribbean as well as how to encourage tourism developments which create wealth while enhancing local culture and conserving the fragile environment.

CMEx San Juan sponsors and supporters included Almond Resorts, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Bay Gardens Hotel, Black Entertainment Television (BET Jazz), Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean World News Network, Coco Resorts, ENG Caribbean Vision Center, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Ruder Finn, SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Inc., Spirit Airlines, The Tourism Development Company Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, United Nations Development Programme, and "We are the Caribbean Media Services".

Courtesy Bevan Springer