Dorraine Samuels
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Pearnel Charles, Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of the RJR Newscentre pay tribute to Dorraine Samuels
Jamaicans from all walks of life have been reacting to the death of Dorraine Samuels who became Jamaica's most popular broadcaster with a near 40-year career spanning radio and television.
Samuels died Tuesday afternoon following a battle with cancer.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among several government officials who reacted to news of her passing on Tuesday.
Describing her as an icon, Mr. Holness said her sincerity, integrity and significant contribution to broadcast media are unparalleled.
"We would all have grown up listening to Dorraine Samuels on Good Morning Jamaica, both herself and Alan Magnus....and then we became even more familiar with her in our living rooms reading the nightly news on TVJ, and she did it so effortlessly, so professionally, so reassuringly. I don't believe that we are going to see another broadcaster of her calibre and stature for a little while. She has done a very great job in my opinion in the broadcast of news, in keeping Jamaicans informed; but just her pleasant personality that radiates on the screen and through the radio. She will be sadly missed."
Culture, Gender and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange shared similar sentiments, noting that Dorraine's work on radio and television has been outstanding and her contribution to Jamaican media has been exceptional.
Dorraine's death was also acknowledged by the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon.
House Speaker Pearnel Charles described her as a friend of parliamentarians and Jamaicans as a whole.
PAJ
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) in its tribute said Jamaica has lost one of the most talented broadcasters in the business.
PAJ President George Davis said Dorraine’s passing will leave a significant void in the profession.
“Dorraine was one of the few broadcasters who was able to seamlessly move between the media of radio and television. She was not only a broadcaster, but someone who also worked tirelessly to aid the less fortunate.”
He said Dorraine was a breath of fresh air on the airwaves, and Jamaicans welcomed her into their homes daily over the decades, whether she was delivering the major newscasts on RJR, or hosting her various radio programmes, The Sunday Magazine, Jamaica Today, and Dorraine’s Coffee Break.
For 14 years, she also co-anchored Prime Time News on TVJ.
The PAJ twice recognised Dorraine for her exemplary service.
The Association first honoured Dorraine in 2004 along with Alan Magnus, with whom she co-hosted RJR’s flagship morning programme Good Morning Jamaica for two decades.
She received her second PAJ award in 2012 when she was one of five “News Anchors of Excellence” recognised during National Journalism Week.
The PAJ said in her almost 40 years in media, Dorraine remained a consummate professional, presenting the news flawlessly.
.jpg)
All feeds
