Port of Spain, Trinidad Dec 4, 2007 -- Founding member of the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings was unanimously elected president of the regional media body during its biennial general meeting in Trinidad on Tuesday.

The newly elected executive includes St Lucian journalist Peter Richards, who now serves his fourth term as first vice president (finance) and Surinamese journalist Nita Ramcharan who was elected second vice president. Ramcharan served as the assistant general secretary on the previous executive headed by Dale Enoch.

Anika Kentish, an Antiguan journalist, takes up the post of general secretary and will be assisted by Haitian journalist Guy Delva.

Grenadian journalist Michael Bascombe and media instructor Canute James retained their positions as board members.

In a brief statement following the election, Gibbings pledged his commitment to the development of the organisation.

"We have spent the past six years growing an organisation that has displayed remarkable potential. We now enter a new phase that must meet us prepared to convert that potential into actions and interventions to render the world of journalism in the Caribbean prepared to meet new challenges and to realise the opportunities that
will arise," Gibbings said.

In congratulating the new ACM executive, outgoing president Dale Enoch was convinced it was the right choice urged the general body to give its full support.

"This new executive has the right people, just like the one before and will offer good leadership for this regional body which has become so entrenched in the psyche of Caribbean people. This executive should bring new thinking and energies and this should be welcomed. The ACM's work must continue preparing as well for the many unforeseen situations which occur so often.

"Mr. Gibbings is the man for the job at this time. The ACM has to remain relevant, this executive with the help of the members must take on that responsibility," Enoch said.

The new executive will serve a two-year term.