The Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association is paying tribute to the late Jones P. Madeira.

Mr. Madeira passed away yesterday at the age of 80.

In a statement, the TTPBA says, “Jones P’s lifetime in the media would not be soon forgotten…”

It recounted his start in the early 1960’s as an amateur announcer on the Voice of Rediffusion wire radio service, and subsequent move to be a trainee reporter at the T&T Guardian.

He subsequently crisscrossed between print and broadcast media, both locally and abroad.

TTPBA President, Douglas Wilson, remembers working with Mr. Madeira at the Trinidad Guardian
during one of the most challenging times when newsroom journalists walked out in principle and in a show of solidarity when accused of bias by the Group’s management.

Mr. Wilson says, “Jones P stayed, seeking to hold the ship together. This was a major trial of what he stood for. The industry and public watched. Jones would then eventually depart, the situation too heavy a load to bear.”

The TTPBA also remembers Mr. Madeira as a mentor to journalists throughout the region and beyond, adding “The history of media Trinidad and Tobago and the region cannot be written without reference to this icon of professionalism and excellence in media and mass communication.”

In 2017, Mr. Madeira was the recipient of the TTPBA’s Award for Media Excellence.