Shock and sadness over the death of veteran journalist Barbara Gayle

Members of the government and the opposition have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the passing of Barbara Gayle, the veteran crime and court reporter from the Gleaner Company Limited.

Gayle was found dead at her home in Caymanas Country Club Estate, St Catherine, on Tuesday. Police have ruled her death a homicide and are pursuing strong leads in the case.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in extending his deepest condolences to Gayle's immediate family, her friends, and her colleagues at The Gleaner, described her as a stalwart of Jamaican journalism.

"Even in retirement, her passion for the profession continued, with her regular contributions to The Gleaner. Her dedication and contributions to journalism have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Jamaica's media landscape", Holness said.

Gayle dedicated over four decades of her life to journalism and became one of the nation’s most respected and accomplished court reporters, he noted. 

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Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, reflecting on Gayle’s immense contribution to journalism, described her passing as a personal loss. “I am deeply disappointed and saddened to learn of Barbara’s death. I’ve known her for over 40 years,” Chuck shared. “She reported on many of the trial cases I handled from the mid-1980s into the 1990s. In recent decades, she brought numerous problems, concerns, and weaknesses in the court system to my attention and urged their correction.”

Chuck lauded Gayle’s legacy, emphasising her dedication to her craft. “Barbara was renowned for her impactful court reporting and her commitment to Jamaican media. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence and integrity in journalism and court reporting.”

The People’s National Party (PNP) also paid tribute to Gayle, with Nekeisha Burchell, the party’s spokesperson for Information and Public Communication, highlighting her indelible mark on the field of journalism.

“Barbara Gayle embodied courage, excellence, and service in her work. Her tireless reporting gave voice to justice and transparency in our courts,” Burchell stated. “Her decades-long career as The Gleaner’s leading court reporter set an unmatched standard for professionalism, integrity, and courage. Her work illuminated some of the most critical legal matters in our history, earning her the respect of the courts, legal minds, and the public she served so diligently.”

The PNP also addressed the broader implications of Gayle’s death, noting the risks faced by journalists amid the rising insecurity in the nation.

“This latest attack on a journalist is symptomatic of the larger state of insecurity in which we live. Journalists perform a vital function in our democracy, and violence against them strikes at the heart of freedom of the press and public trust,” the statement said.

The PNP called on authorities to act decisively. “We strongly condemn this act and urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and thoroughly in bringing those responsible to justice. No less than a speedy resolution will provide some measure of comfort to her family, her colleagues, and the wider media community.”

Gayle covered cases spanning the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, the Jamaican Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, parish courts, and circuit courts. She was a multi-award-winning journalist, copping the Press Association of Jamaica’s (PAJ) 1997 Community Service Award, Journalist of the Year and regional awards from the Caribbean Association of Media Workers. She was also recently recognised by the PAJ for her longstanding contributions to journalism.