GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) has concluded its 57th Annual General Assembly with an expanded regional agenda focused on the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the long-term viability of indigenous Caribbean media, stronger industry data collection, professional recognition and deeper cooperation across the sector.

Held in Georgetown from August 17 to 19 under the theme “Caribbean Media and AI,” AGA 57 brought together media executives, journalists, content creators, policymakers, academics, technology specialists and development partners.

The Assembly endorsed “Caribbean Media Viability” as the theme of the 58th Annual General Assembly in 2027 and supported a year-long programme intended to move the region from diagnosing the pressures facing media to developing practical, Caribbean-owned responses.

PRESIDENT ALI: AI MUST REMAIN A TOOL IN THE SERVICE OF JOURNALISM

In his keynote address at the Opening Ceremony and Hall of Fame Induction, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said artificial intelligence will transform Caribbean media by enabling newsrooms to transcribe and translate content, analyse large volumes of data and work more efficiently. He cautioned, however, that technology must remain a tool in the service of journalism.

“Never allow the technology to become the journalist,” President Ali urged, stressing that AI cannot replace editorial judgement, context and human experience.

President Ali called on the regional media industry to strengthen verification systems and establish clear standards for the disclosure of AI-generated content.

MEDIA VIABILITY INITIATIVE TO DRIVE REGIONAL ACTION

Against a backdrop of serious challenges to indigenous media services in broadcast, print and digital sectors, the CBU Assembly announced a new strategic activity focused on advancing the sector.   The Caribbean Media Viability Initiative will convene broadcasters, print and digital publishers, independent producers, educators, regulators, policymakers, advertisers, technology platforms and development partners from across the Dutch, English, French and Spanish-speaking Caribbean. It will focus on solutions that strengthen the sustainability, resilience, competitiveness and editorial independence of Caribbean media.

The programme is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 with online, solutions-focused colloquia examining sustainable business models, AI and digital transformation, public trust, audience engagement, content innovation, skills development and strategic partnerships. The findings will inform the Conference Day at AGA 58 and the development of a Caribbean Media Viability Roadmap.

The Plenary endorsed “Caribbean Media Viability” as the theme of AGA 58, scheduled for mid-August 2027. The host, venue and exact dates will be announced separately by the CBU.

MEDIA INDUSTRY OVERVIEW TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BASELINE

The Assembly also launched the CBU Media Industry Overview, being coordinated by Immediate Past President Dr. Claire Grant. The initial publication of what is expected to be an annual report will be in the first quarter of 2027.

The Overview will examine the sector’s structure, reach, ownership, workforce and operating environment. It will also address media viability, freedom of information, journalists’ safety, training and capacity-building, digital transition, the influence of major technology platforms and media and communications resilience.

The evidence base is intended to strengthen CBU advocacy, policy engagement, business planning and professional development while giving decision-makers a more reliable picture of the pressures and opportunities shaping Caribbean media. Members were encouraged to complete outstanding survey responses, with commercially sensitive information to be handled confidentially and reported only in aggregate.

MEDIA STALWARTS HONOURED

The CBU Caribbean Media Hall of Fame welcomed two distinguished regional figures: the late journalist Rickey Singh and the late media and communications academic Professor Aggrey Brown. Their induction recognised lives devoted to fearless journalism, media education, Caribbean consciousness and public service.

Extended presentations on their work and impact were delivered during Conference Day by Caribbean journalist and media trainer Wesley Gibbings, on Mr. Singh, and Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Director of the Caribbean School of Media and Communication at The University of the West Indies, Mona, on Professor Brown.

Belizean journalist Jules Vasquez, News Director of 7News Belize, received the CMIA–CBU Caribbean Defender of Media Freedom Award. The honour recognised more than three decades of investigative reporting, rigorous scrutiny of public officials and sustained defence of journalists’ right to report in the public interest despite legal, political and commercial pressure.

FOUR NEW MEMBERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATES

The Plenary welcomed four organisations admitted to CBU membership during 2026 and presented membership certificates to their representatives: DigitalShark Inc. of Barbados, represented by Chief Executive Officer Rivelino Simmons; the Cayman Islands Government Department of Communications, represented by Head of Content and Productions Annick Jackman; Compass TV, operated by Compass Media in the Cayman Islands, represented by General Manager Richard O’Carroll. Chief Executive Officer of digital magazine Richès Karayib of Martinique, Sabrina Ajax was not in attendance.

The additions extend CBU representation across commercial media, government communications and digital-first publishing in the English and French-speaking Caribbean. They also support the CBU’s wider effort to broaden participation among media organisations and qualified individual professionals and content creators.

THREE DIRECTORS ELECTED TO CBU BOARD

Two new members have been added to the Board of Directors, following the election of officers: Mr. Sanka Price, CEO of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in Barbados and Richard O’Carroll, General Manager of Compass Media in the Cayman Islands were elected for the 2026–2028 term.  They join re-elected Board members, Mr. Chris Jarett, Director of Radio Turks and Caicos, as well as members continuing terms scheduled to end next year.

The remainder of the Board is:

• President, Mr. Anthony Greene, General Manager of Starcom Network Inc Barbados
• Vice President, Ms. Marleni Cuellar, CEO of Greater Belize Media
• Mr. Neaz Subhan, CEO of NCN Guyana and co-chair of the AGA 57 Local Organising Committee
• Ms. Dionne John, CEO of NBC St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Ms. Colleen Holder Corporation Communications at the Parliament Channel in Trinidad & Tobago
• Mr. Gavin Belle, General Manager of ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation of St. Kitts & Nevis

The Plenary thanked outgoing director Erna-Mae Brathwaite of ABS Antigua for her service to the CBU.

BARBADOS LEADS 37TH CBU MEDIA AWARDS; RJRGLEANER TOP ORGANISATION

The gala event, the 37th CBU Media Awards, concluded AGA 57 with 92 Award and Special Mention winners from 13 countries and territories of the English, French and Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Trophies and certificates were presented in 56 categories, including 22 themed categories supported by regional and international partners. The competition attracted more than 680 entries, an increase of over 25 per cent on the previous year.

For the first time in the modern era of the competition, Barbados led the country standings with 15 Awards and eight Special Mentions. The Barbados Government Information Service earned seven Awards and one Special Mention; The Nation Publishing Company received three Awards and four Special Mentions; first-time entrant Capital Media HD 99.3 secured three Awards; and Starcom Network earned two Awards and one Special Mention. Plan A Productions and the National Transformation Initiative each received a Special Mention on their first appearance.

Jamaica followed with 14 Awards and four Special Mentions. The RJRGLEANER Communications Group was the leading media organisation overall, earning 13 Awards and two Special Mentions. The University of the West Indies, Mona secured its first Award in the new student categories, while the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica received a Special Mention.

Trinidad and Tobago recorded six Awards and nine Special Mentions, while Belize secured five Awards and four Special Mentions. Host country Guyana earned four Awards and three Special Mentions. News Room Inc. accounted for all four Guyanese Awards and two Special Mentions, with the Guyana Chronicle receiving a Special Mention.

The CBU Media Awards rules now require entrants to disclose the use of large language models or other AI tools and limit AI-generated material to no more than 20 per cent of an entry’s total content.

FIRST-TIME ENTRANTS MAKE STRONG IMPRESSION

Several first-time entrants also featured among the winners. Richès Karayib of Martinique received two Awards and two Special Mentions; St. Lucia Times earned two Awards and one Special Mention; API of St. Vincent and the Grenadines secured one Award and one Special Mention; Compass TV of the Cayman Islands received three Special Mentions; and The BVI Beacon earned one Special Mention.

The competition also introduced dedicated News Photography and Sports Photography Awards and new student categories across television, digital, radio, print and still photography, broadening opportunities for emerging Caribbean media practitioners.

CBU THANKS GUYANA AND REGIONAL PARTNERS

The CBU thanked the Government and people of Guyana for their hospitality and support, as well as the Local Organising Committee chaired by the Honourable Kwame McCoy MP, Minister of Information and Public Affairs, and co-chaired by Neaz Subhan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Communications Network.

The Union also recognised its members, sponsors, presenters, moderators, exhibitors, technical teams, volunteers and regional and international partners for their contribution to AGA 57 and the 37th CBU Media Awards.

The programme included the delegates’ tour, members’ Plenary, an Exhibitors’ and Partners’ Showcase, media-technology sessions, the Opening Ceremony and Hall of Fame induction, Conference Day and the 37th CBU Media Awards Gala.