The Independent (Belize)
Encyclopedia
The Independent was a Belize
an newspaper
published weekly on Tuesdays and selling for $1.00.
, the first issue of the Independent (also known as the Independent Reformer) hit newsstands on November 28, 2006. It quoted the editorial as stating that the majority of pieces in the Independent will be "opinion/editorial" type rather than hard news.
After a run of some 60+ issues, the Independent has ceased publication as of October 2007, confirmed by a Karla Vernon letter to the Amandala
.
n has previously written for the Reporter
and contributed to the Amandala
.
Karla Vernon ,general editor. The media veteran has worked for the former Radio Belize
, Channel 5
, The Reporter
and The San Pedro Sun
. Her husband Trevor will serve as business manager; he heads the Independent's publishing company, Independent Publishing, and National Printers, the printing home of the Independent.
, paper for the ruling People's United Party
. The Times claims the Independent, based on the record of Cutlack and Vernon, will be pro-UDP
, but welcomed them nonetheless. Vernon claims that pressure from political parties undermined the Independent's success.
Channel 5, in reporting the story on November 7, poked fun at Cutlack's aggressive writing style, but praised its former news editor Vernon as a balance to Cutlack.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an newspaper
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...
published weekly on Tuesdays and selling for $1.00.
Premise
According to News 5Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
, the first issue of the Independent (also known as the Independent Reformer) hit newsstands on November 28, 2006. It quoted the editorial as stating that the majority of pieces in the Independent will be "opinion/editorial" type rather than hard news.
After a run of some 60+ issues, the Independent has ceased publication as of October 2007, confirmed by a Karla Vernon letter to the Amandala
Amandala
Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize." It was established on August 13, 1969 as the chief spreadsheet for the United Black Association for Development...
.
Staff
Meb Cutlack, editorial director of the Independent. The AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n has previously written for 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...
and contributed to the Amandala
Amandala
Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize." It was established on August 13, 1969 as the chief spreadsheet for the United Black Association for Development...
.
Karla Vernon ,general editor. The media veteran has worked for the former Radio Belize
Radio Belize
The Broadcasting Corporation of Belize, otherwise known as Radio Belize, was a radio station in Belize that shut down in November 1998. Until the 1980s it was Belize's only radio station.- Beginnings :...
, Channel 5
Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
, 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...
and The San Pedro Sun
The San Pedro Sun
The San Pedro Sun newspaper has been published continuously since 1991 and serves the community of San Pedro Town located on Ambergris Caye in Belize, Central America. The editors are Ron and Tamara Sniffin, assisted by Mary Gonzalez, Dennis and Natalie Manuel. The Sun also publishes a "Visitor's...
. Her husband Trevor will serve as business manager; he heads the Independent's publishing company, Independent Publishing, and National Printers, the printing home of the Independent.
Criticism
Before it printed a single page, the Independent was criticized by 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...
, paper for the ruling People's United Party
People's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
. The Times claims the Independent, based on the record of Cutlack and Vernon, will be pro-UDP
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:...
, but welcomed them nonetheless. Vernon claims that pressure from political parties undermined the Independent's success.
Channel 5, in reporting the story on November 7, poked fun at Cutlack's aggressive writing style, but praised its former news editor Vernon as a balance to Cutlack.