Two T&T nationals, Dr. Bruce Paddington and Christopher Laird, have been inducted into the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions in promoting Caribbean culture.
The ceremony took place during the 56th Annual General Assembly and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held on Tuesday in Barbados.
In her address, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasised the media’s role in nation-building, questioning how many regional programmes truly explore our journey to independence.
“It is an amazing feature of this region that we seem not to want to reinforce the historic and cultural successes of our people both pre-independence, pre-emancipation, post-emancipation, because that is the story of true true resilience and struggle, but also the story of nation-building in the early days of independence.”
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Dr. Paddington, who has lived in T&T since 1972, has helped shape the Caribbean’s cinematic landscape with creativity and purpose, earning him a place in the CBU Hall of Fame.
According to the Director of Corporate Communications and Production at the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, Colleen Holder, Dr. Paddington’s work with the UWI St Augustine Film Programme has inspired new generations of Caribbean filmmakers.
“Dr. Paddington helped pioneer a thriving and vibrant local television landscape in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region, producing over 500 films and television programmes that vividly document the region’s culture, politics and identity, including the highly influential and fondly remembered Gayelle.”
The second awardee, Christopher Laird, is the former Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Gayelle, the region’s first all-Caribbean free-to-air television station, He has produced over 300 documentaries, dramas, and other video works through Trinidad-based Banyan Productions.
Upon receiving his award, Mr. Laird expressed surprise at being recognised with such a distinguished honour.
“It is said that the greatest prize is one awarded by one’s peers. I accept this award in that light, but to me at the time I was a dwarf among venerable giants in our industry. To have received an award from the CBU now implies that I am considered a peer, a comrade.”
The CBU also presented a surprise award to its first female Secretary-General, Sonia Gill, recognising not only her contributions to Caribbean media production but also her leadership in strengthening the organisation’s capacity.