‘A Great Loss’ tributes pour in for media leader Anthony Smith

The sudden death of media executive Anthony Smith has sent waves of grief across the nation, with Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange among those expressing deep sorrow.

Smith died on Sunday following a brief illness.

She said Smith's death has left her "deeply saddened".

"With Smith's death we have lost yet another of the outstanding leaders of our media fraternity," Grange said in a statement on Monday.

She extended condolences to Smith's family, friends and associates, as well as to the RJRGLEANER Communications Group.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said Smith's death is "a great loss to Jamaica's media and corporate landscape".

"He was a valued sponsor of the Governor General's Programme for Excellence (GGPE) and a dedicated member of the GGPE Advisory Board, where his insight, commitment, and belief in youth development left a lasting impact," Sir Patrick said in a statement posted on his Instagram page.

The Media Association of Jamaica which represents media owners, also paid tribute to Smith.

It acknowledged his passing with "profound regret".

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union has also expressed condolences. President Andrew Greene said the organisation is mourning a "sad loss".

CVM Television has hailed Smith for his "steadfast commitment to excellence in journalism and media management" and whose contribution to the media industry "will be remembered with great respect".

"Smith was a respected media executive whose leadership was defined by integrity [and] thoughtfulness," the company said on Monday.

It added: "his passing represents a significant loss to the Jamaican media fraternity".

Smith joined the RJRGLEANER Communications Group in October 2022 as deputy chief executive officer for print and digital and was appointed CEO in January 2024.

An engineer by training, he previously held several senior executive roles within the telecommunications sector in Jamaica and across the wider Caribbean, including at Cable & Wireless and Massy Technologies Limited.

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