Exactly 106 years ago on September 2, 1917, a major development occurred on the local media landscape—the birth of the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.
Under the watchful eye of the then editor, British expatriate EJ Patridge, the printed press was fired up, and out came the first printed copies of the publication from its homebase on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.
Of note, the newspaper was just 12 pages back then and took the size of a broadsheet.
With World War I in full effect, unsurprisingly, eight of 12 pages were dedicated to coverage of the atrocities, which constituted the major news of the day.
On its front page on that historical Sunday morning, apart from the proud proclamation “We Are Number 1”, a bold commentary setting out this newspaper’s independent editorial stance on issues.
“Honest and reasonable criticism is the privilege of a newspaper which seeks to carry out its legitimate functions,” the newspaper proclaimed. And while alluding to its responsibility to be fair and accountable to the public, it also promised that its pages would not be put to any “vindictive” use.
“A reputation for irrational and vindictive censure must inevitably destroy the power of the Press to represent forcibly the consensus of public opinion when criticism is just and necessary. It is the ambition of the Trinidad Guardian to be the mouthpiece of such public opinion, the sober, considered views of the thoughtful majority. In short, to represent all that is best in Trinidad and to merit the respect and support of every class which sets a valuation upon sincerity of purpose and a straightforward policy,” it added.
Lots of ink has been spilt since then on national issues, including major highs and lows, as powerfully captured in our archives. From the touchdown of the first airplane in 1958 to the achievement of political independence in 1962 and the birth of our Republic in 1976.
We are also the paper of record for the 1990 bloody coup attempt led by the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen; the election of our first female prime minister in 2010 and first female president in 2018. Also chronicled are our proud achievements in sports and culture, including the crowning of our first Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong in 1977 and the Soca Warriors’ qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. More recently came the global acknowledgement of T&T as the birthplace of the steelpan with the designation of World Steelpan Day in 2023 by the UN.
Yet, we do not tire in our quest to uncover the truth.
More than a century since the birth of the Trinidad Guardian as a newspaper, we remain passionate about our role in this country’s Fourth Estate and strongly rooted in the principles set down by our paper’s founders.
For us, our credibility is paramount, so too accurate and balanced reporting in the public interest.
This is our solemn commitment today as we pause to say ‘thank you’ to our valued readers for their support over the decades, and look forward to many, many more years in service of the truth.
Happy 106th anniversary everybody!!!!!
