The passing of veteran journalist Robert Best yesterday at age 83 marks the end of an era in journalism in Barbados.
Best, of Deriston Road, Grazettes, St Michael, enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades, spent mainly at the Barbados Advocate, where he rose to the position of managing editor.
His insightful editorials, analyses and columns under the pen name “Anthony Irving” were steeped in the wisdom of thought that made Best stand out as a journalist who wrote not only with conviction, but also with empathy and understanding of the issues.
He was responsible for launching the careers of many of Barbados’ veteran journalists, for whom the Barbados Advocate was the cradle.
He also influenced a younger generation of journalists, as a tutor in the mass communication programme at the Barbados Community College.
Paying tribute, one of his former students wrote: “I have met few with his wealth of knowledge, humility, frankness and caring way.”
“A giant in his field, a stickler for detail and high standards,” another student wrote.
In retirement, Best continued to give of his expertise and experience, working part-time with the NATION and again mentoring young journalists, who treasured his guidance.
NATION Editor Emeritus Harold Hoyte said Best was a father figure to all like himself who entered journalism “in the last 50 or so years”.
“There is nobody in journalism today who is somebody who did not get the benefit of his tutelage,” Hoyte said. “He was more senior than his years in that people looked up to him because of the seriousness that he brought to the profession.
“Even though I found him to be a very conservative editor, he observed all the highest principles, and that is the legacy he has left Barbados’ journalism. He was a real Barbadian patriot and he used journalism not only as an example to juniors, but also to highlight his patriotism.
“I really deeply regret his passing, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to learn from him and to work alongside him,” he added.
NATION Editor-in-Chief Eric Smith, who also sat at Best’s feet, also paid tribute.
“The Robert Best I worked with and got to know and appreciate was a newspaper editor who placed great emphasis on integrity. He did not display the swagger and celebrity showiness like others in lofty positions, but was rather focused on the principles of the job. This is perhaps why he had that capacity to work well with talented and sometimes unruly journalists often given to breaking the rules.
“He was a good listener who avoided getting into unnecessary disputes, which was perhaps why he always encouraged his charges to always be on the straight and narrow.”
Smith continued: “He had a facility with language, a passion for news and saw journalism not only as a noble profession, but as one of the key pillars in a free society.”
Best, who had been ailing in recent months, died at his home yesterday morning surrounded by Margaret, his wife of 54 years, daughter Roberta Niles, son Adrian and members of his extended family. Also mourning the loss of his father is Charles, the couple’s older son who lives in the United States. (GC)
