Premier Expresses Thanks To Bermuda Sun
Responding to news regarding the closure of the Bermuda Sun newspaper, the Premier Michael Dunkley said,”I would like to express my sincere sadness at the news today that the Bermuda Sun will be closing its doors.
“In the words of its motto, ‘The Sun’ has been a ‘friend to the community’ for more than 50 years – covering an array of issues with clarity, fairness and from varied perspectives.
“I particularly enjoyed reading their annual end of year round up of events and their features on the many remarkable individuals living in our small community.
“The calibre of journalism at the Bermuda Sun is apparent to anyone who has ever picked up the paper – something showcased by the many awards they have won for their work over the years.
“They told the news – but they told it with a human heart, by putting faces to cold statistics. Their columns were insightful, thought provoking and encouraged public discussion on a wide variety of issues.”
“It truly was a paper about the people and its presence will be truly missed.
“Unfortunately this is a sign of the times with the closure of newspapers worldwide. However this closure certainly has nothing to do with the quality of the product each week, but rather the economics of newspapers today.
“Let’s hope a new group can come together to provide a new platform for the news and other voices. Our democracy will be the stronger for it.
“I am genuinely disappointed for the good team of journalists who week to week put together a solid package of stories and opinions. It is my sincere hope that the journalists affected by this closure decision will find work and new possibilities either here at home or elsewhere.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to the Bermuda Sun in the last half century and offer a special thanks in particular to the Publisher Mr. Randy French and to the long-time Editor, Tony McWilliam who maintained a fair and balanced approach to the news. And to all the staff, I wish each of you all the best in your future endeavours.”
hmmm…looks like a door has been opened…now who is gonna take the plunge?…lots of unemployed people out there…
Premier took away one of their mainstream income and gave it to the newspaper………
Government advertisements were given to the RG upon the OBA government win.
Sad they help nail the final nail in the coffin
I stopped buying it when They thought it OK to have columist Chris Famous spewing nonsense. Before that I used to like the varied and interesting reporting and articles. Used to do the Suduko at lunch.
Nothing wrong with disliking a particular column, but if you look at it from another angle, you have perceived OBA supporters in Bryant Trew and Larry Burchall on one hand, Chris Famous provided a different angle. So that alone provided the variation that you talk about enjoying.
Varied is good, but reporting needs substance, research and balance thought, not just hype and emotion as that becomes someones personal soapbox and ranting, which is what it was.
Now there is no other news paper media that can report news well, sad day in Bermuda !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah Dunk it’s is sad but as you said, it is a sign of the times and in media print media has taken a hit worldwide in place of digital media etc.
Did not expect this!
Our economy is still reeling from bad decisions made in the past,let’s hope the power mongers amongst us do not make this worse.Good luck to all employees involved,hopefully they will find jobs!
Oh stop it!! with the blame game it’s called internet… the struggle continues SMDH
its very sad Bermuda Sun….but since Govt took away their contract with you and awarded to RG…winding up is the only option…best wishes!
You rode into town as the savior of Bermuda …. The OBA I hope you take credit for this failure !
How is this an OBA failure you dummy! This is because it’s cost too much money to print a newspaper twice a week, etc. How was your march today?
Whatever business failures that happen under the OBA watch is attributed to the OBA dummy , just as you and yours blamed the other administration … Get use to taking the blame , the shoe is now on the other foot .
Pardon me for thinking that you would understand the basics . Accept your shortcoming , there are plenty of them in the OBA yet to be revealed ! And the march was excellent , I was holding your mothers hand in unity thank you very much , she understands the importance of Bermuda for Bermudians , mind you I never asked her where she was from , but still she understood .
LMFAO
Every time the a business closed during the PLP reign it was their fault. Now that businesses are closing under the OBA, it’s not. What a bunch of hypocrites you all are.
(BTW: It didn’t help that the OBA took the government notices from them and handed them back over.’)
Why don’t you be honest with everyone and tell all, how many Bermuda Sun newspapers you paid for each week??? I would be willing to bet that you just read the FREE internet stuff and wonder why they are now closing!!!! Stop your otherwise nonsense about the OBA , any business that has to rely on government contracts is destined to fail eventually!!! do your part and buy the products locally and more people will stay employed!!!
KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA, KARMA
Chameleon.
Faulty logic. It’s about readership. Lower population = lower readership. Whatever other factors are in play, including print advertising which is reflective of audience, the readership is key.
Who has been responsible for the drastic decline in population that means, for example, Bermuda cannot support itself. Let me help you out. The PLP, with their idiotic protectionist, hateful rhetoric and policy.
Kathy, why not? You blame the PLP for every business that closed up no matter what? Girlfriend, when the shoes don’t fit it hurts eh?
CATHY you dummy …take your blinders off..
The OBA is responsible for this closure so why is he apologizing for? They took the government contract from a media outlet that was already experiencing financial difficulties and gave it to the RG so what else did they expect would happen?
Now that is just ridiculous. You come across as a very simple person. good grief.. REALLY?? Are you really that stupid…
@foldgers, could not have said it better myself, while quick to blame the OBA, they are slow to actually get facts before they spew their nonsense!!! The BDA Sun has been losing money since 2008!!!! I am pretty sure it was the plp in power up until the end of 2012??? And when it comes to the government contract, the RG quote was lower!!!!
Coffee…seriously, what a sad joke you are.
Coffee stop smoking that ganja cause your screws seem to be loose.
There can only be one Bernews.
Sorry to hear this, I subscribed regularly to the Sun. Do hope the employees will find work quickly. Good luck to you all and thanks for your work over the years.
How very sad, thank you so much to all the staff at The Bermuda Sun. I regularly bought the paper despite generally reading it on line as a vote of support for what you do.
I hope that you all find suitable employment in your chosen fields elsewhere.
Well done mike dunkley…..they say ewart shut down mid ocean news, so i guess you and the OBA can take the credit for this extra unemployment. Take that Glenn…. smfh !!!
Actually it wasn’t “they” who said it.
“One down and one to go”
Dr. Brown was happy to take credit for the demise of the Mid O which folded after the government advertising contract was moved to the Sun. I’m sure the failure of that move to bring down his second target annoyed him to no end.
Why should the OBA take responsibility for the Sun closing down. A paper that only comes out every now and then was doomed from the start. Thankfully, no more Famouss!!!
No more larry burchall…. sorry sister at bernews.
Doomed from the start!?! How old are you? You do realize that the paper has been in existence for 50 years don’t you??
So your happy that there is no more Famous but have no regard for de workers, sad very sad.
On the other hand, when the Mid Ocean shut down, PLP supporters were rejoicing like it was New Years’ Day. Little thought went to the people who worked there.
Very sad, I will still not buy the Royal Gazette! Thanks Bda Sun for your accurate reporting.
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gooooooone,and she’s always gone to long……aaAin’t no sunshine when shee-eez gone.AaaaAnd I know…I know…I know I know I KNOW……
This is really sad. I worked with many of the great people at the BDA Sun for many years when I lived in Bermuda and I am so sorry to hear this happened. The Sun was different. While they reported the news, they also had a special place for the wonderful and insightful features they published. The paper will truly be missed!
I am not surprise because when i read the Sun it has all the news that the Royal Gazette has put out earlier in the week.
Sad but true
I love the people there and the paper, but I do not buy it so I am as much to blame as anyone.
Times are changing in every business now with online, and the dollars arent here to support them which is a darn shame. Readers in such a small market arent enough to print papers – you need advertisers and businesses and we are suffering still from the lack of business all around. This is not new. I love you Bermuda Sun. Thank you.
Print newspapers everywhere in the world are going out of business due to the rapidly changing ways in which people consume their news. Paying for something that is basically yesterday’s news seems pretty silly. It’s probably not far away that we will see the print version of the RG disappear.
The Government contract decision was a minor factor in the Sun’s demise. Had it remained, it would not have altered the Sun’s ability to be profitable. The decision to change it to the RG made logical sense. If the RG had the highest readership in Bermuda, then it’s common sense to have Government notices published there.
Remember when the Mid Ocean News went belly-up? The Premier at that time was reported to have said something along the lines of “one down, two to go”.