The Guardian (Belize)
Encyclopedia
The Guardian is a Belizean newspaper
and the official print organ of the United Democratic Party
.
It is published on Thursdays and sells for BZ$1.00.
, which began printing in 1969 and was the main UDP newspaper (replacing The Reporter
). The Beacon survived until 1994, but the last years of the newspaper saw it become slowly eclipsed by the new People's Pulse, headed first by Zelma Jex and later by William Ysaguirre and Ann-Marie Williams. The Pulse was the main newspaper for much of the 1990s but shut down like its predecessor after a UDP election loss in 1998.
with regard to the UDP. However, the Guardian rarely reaches the level of impugning the character of PUP officials as the Times has often been accused of.
In March 2003, after the UDP lost elections called on the 5th of the month, editor Panton claimed the election was the worst managed in Belizean history and listed a number of instances he thought were proof of the Elections and Boundaries Department
's perfidy toward the UDP. However, Panton was at the time a member of the EBD's parent body, the Elections and Boundaries Commission
, and was seen to have embarrassed the Commission by his action. A similar incident occurred prior to the 2003 by-election
in October contested by the March loser John Saldivar. Panton editorialized in the Guardian again about alleged abuses by the EBD and earned himself its ire once more, though Saldivar won the election anyway. Both cases went into the EBD's report of events in 2003, and Panton would eventually be replaced by John Avery.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
and the official print organ of the United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
.
It is published on Thursdays and sells for BZ$1.00.
UDP newspaper history before Guardian
The UDP's history in the newspaper business starts with the Beacon, owned by Dean LindoDean Lindo
Dean Lindo is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was one of the founding members of the United Democratic Party of Belize and was its leader from 1974 to 1979.Lindo is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn....
, which began printing in 1969 and was the main UDP newspaper (replacing The Reporter
The Reporter (Belize)
The Reporter is one of the chief newspapers of Belize. It was established in 1967 by publisher Harry Lawrence, who has authored every issue since. It is published weekly and sells for BZ $1.00...
). The Beacon survived until 1994, but the last years of the newspaper saw it become slowly eclipsed by the new People's Pulse, headed first by Zelma Jex and later by William Ysaguirre and Ann-Marie Williams. The Pulse was the main newspaper for much of the 1990s but shut down like its predecessor after a UDP election loss in 1998.
Formation
With the defunct People's Pulse scheduled for shutdown after the 1998 general elections, in which the UDP lost, it was thought that the party needed a new image. The Guardian was expected to be part of that new image. With this in mind, the first issue of the newspaper rolled off the press in October 1998, even as the Pulse faced unpaid bills.Current Staff
- Editor: Alfonso Noble
- Marketing and Sales Manager: Ann Smith
- Reporter: Shane Williams
- Compositor: Adelie Patt
- Receptionist/Accounts Clerk: Vanessa Gillett
- Contributors (partial listing): Yasmine Andrews, Carlos Perdomo, Dr. George Gough, Michael Peyrefitte, Jamil Matar
- Columns w/out byline: "Bits and Pieces" (periodically), "The Searchlight", "Women Today", "Politics Today", sports section.
Editorial stance
The Guardian is the official print organ of the United Democratic Party. The Guardian has taken on the reputation of questioning every action of the ruling PUP, whether in or out of government, similar to its counterpart The Belize TimesThe Belize Times
The Belize Times is a Belizean newspaper published once a week and the official organ of the People's United Party. It was established in 1956 and sells for BZ$1.00.Its offices are located at the PUP's Belize City headquarters at 3 Queen Street, Belize City...
with regard to the UDP. However, the Guardian rarely reaches the level of impugning the character of PUP officials as the Times has often been accused of.
In March 2003, after the UDP lost elections called on the 5th of the month, editor Panton claimed the election was the worst managed in Belizean history and listed a number of instances he thought were proof of the Elections and Boundaries Department
Elections and Boundaries Department
The Belize Elections and Boundaries Department is the hands-on administrator of Belizean electoral politics. It was established in 1989 as a subordinate to the Elections and Boundaries Commission.-Mission statement:...
's perfidy toward the UDP. However, Panton was at the time a member of the EBD's parent body, the Elections and Boundaries Commission
Elections and Boundaries Commission
The Belize Elections and Boundaries Commissision is the primary electoral body in Belize. It supervises all local and national elections. The Commission also establishes the boundaries of Belize's electoral divisions.-Formation and duties:...
, and was seen to have embarrassed the Commission by his action. A similar incident occurred prior to the 2003 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in October contested by the March loser John Saldivar. Panton editorialized in the Guardian again about alleged abuses by the EBD and earned himself its ire once more, though Saldivar won the election anyway. Both cases went into the EBD's report of events in 2003, and Panton would eventually be replaced by John Avery.