WE ARE certain that when Leon Dupuch, the founder of this crusading media company, published his first “funny little sheet” on November 21st, 1903 he had no idea that he was setting out to build a Bahamian institution — one that has been in continuous publication for almost 125 years.

Yet that is what The Tribune has become. Despite facing off against seemingly insurmountable odds on account of a state sponsored campaign of victimization and intimidation spanning decades; not to mention the denial of work permits and my daughter-in-law’s permanent residency application being rejected by the former FNM Administration until the Department of Immigration received proof that this author was a ‘bona fide’ Bahamian, The Tribune has survived. And, in doing so, has won the admiration of its adversaries and opponents.

Simply put, by fearless determination we have fought for a free and independent press; given a ‘Voice to those who have no Voice’ when oppressed by injustice, discrimination, corruption or just bad government; helped in drafting the colony’s first self-governing constitution and brought about an end to racial discrimination in public places when my father, Sir Etienne, in the face of fierce opposition, introduced his ‘Anti-Discrimination’ resolution in Parliament on a stormy night in January 23, 1956. Today, The Tribune stands proud of its many social achievements in keeping with its unalienable founding motto of “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master.”

Some years back, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Right Honourable Perry Christie, went on record to praise The Tribune’s many contributions to the growth and development of the country sharing how this funny little sheet became a “fearless voice of the people”.

That The Tribune has been able to win such approbation speaks well for the enduring integrity of this publication and its staff.

Former “Tribune Boy” Sir Orville Turnquest who became an distinguished barrister, Queen’s Counsel and later, Governor General, echoed such sentiments in our special ‘Centenary Edition’ edition. “In its illustrious history, The Tribune has played a pivotal role at nearly every single stage of development in the Bahamas, particularly on the watches of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch and his daughter, Right Honourable Eileen Dupuch-Carron, CMG, “It cannot be disputed that this newspaper has contributed immeasurably to our Nation”. he added                       

Sir Arthur Foulkes, another “Tribune Boy”, who was to become a Cabinet Minister in the first PLP government of Sir Lynden Pindling recalls his great admiration for Sir Etienne. “There was a mesmerizing rhythm in his writing,” he wrote. “Sometimes he would use his pen like a fencer uses a rapier to puncture the ego of some puffed up politician. Alternatively, Sir Etienne would use his words like a burly construction worker with a jack-hammer - an unrelenting staccato of blows to shatter the hardened attitudes of some block-headed bigot”.                       

However, this is not a time to stand on our laurels. Our nation is at a crossroads; facing a myriad of existential threats to its stability. If the past decade has not made one thing clear: we have allowed ourselves to become indentured servants to the OECD on the basis that foreigners someone know how best we should govern our affairs. In the same vein, let’s not forget how successive governments have turned a blind eye (a topic we shall return to) of foreign investors to developing such a carefree indifference to the terms of their Heads of Agreements that they use of millions of dollars in promotion board funds — despite showing scant regard for the prescribed levels of employment, maintenance and the purchase of local products that are enshrined therein.

So, it should come as no surprise if another generation of the Dupuch-Carron family might wish to follow in the footsteps of their forebears. We only wish there would be more Bahamians willing to take the initiative - persons who are willing to step up and make decisions they believe to be in the best interests of the country, and not what they hope will benefit their own political futures.