Women Behind the Headlines

By Kendea Smith

In every newsroom, broadcast booth and nightly television news, women have shaped the way we see the world. They are the editors, anchors, producers and publishers – the steady hands behind breaking news and the creative minds behind our nation’s stories. In this article, we profile the remarkable women in media who balance with authenticity, influence with integrity and who continue to redefine what it means to lead in an industry built on stories.

Experience: 40+ years Where is she now: Entrepreneur, Consultant at

Ministry of Social Services and Broadcasting

Debbie Bartlett

The name Debbie Bartlett rings as one of the women pioneer voices in Bahamian journalism. She was one of the most prominent names at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS). She built the first HD television station in the Caribbean in the Turks and Caicos islands and she is the founder of GEMS Radio. But it would surprise you to know that she didn’t intend on being one of the greatest Bahamian journalists of our time. “When I went to school in Rock Island, Illinois, I intended to become a lawyer,” she said. “I took a speech class, and my speech professor said, ‘You belong on stage. You belong in media.’ “And at the time back home, we didn’t even have a television station as yet.” This led Debbie to do an internship at her school’s radio station and later at CBS in Rock Island. When she arrived, there were no blacks broadcasting. However, she continued to work at the station, determined to broadcast.

“A black had never been on the air. But if you want to be the best at what you do, learn and spend time in every department. I was told to come into the newsroom with at least four or five story ideas and pitch it to the editor every day. And so, I did that. I always went the extra mile,” she said.

At first, Debbie recalled, the station didn’t take her seriously. But she persevered and eventually the station allowed her to go on assignments with other reporters.

“I became the first black on CBS Rock Island, Illinois. I excelled. They sent someone from CBS Chicago. They told me to stay on and they wanted me to be the first black in CBS Chicago. I was offered a green card, and I declined it,” she said. “I was determined to go home and make it from The Bahamas. Success should not have a location, I thought. I believe I can have an international presence from The Bahamas.” Women Behind The Headlines She returned home and applied to ZNS and was told that there were too many women in the newsroom. However, Mike Smith, who was the news director at the time, argued her case because he believed that she had a strong work ethic.

“They put me in copywriting and one day the late Elva Russell-Rolle approached me and said, ‘Would you like to do a talk show?’ and I started a programme called ‘Woman’. And right out of that I started the show ‘Reaction’,” Debbie said.

But her fate changed when there was a strike at ZNS.

“Most of the reporters were outside at the gates participating in the strike. But I was still inside and that’s how I got in the newsroom.” Debbie was assigned to cover Lady Marguerite Pindling and second to the late Obie Wilchcombe to cover the late Sir Lynden Pindling. She said these experiences shaped her voice as a journalist.

“My parents trained me to do my best and go the extra mile. Those assignments helped define my voice and have people listen during those periods,” she said.

Debbie said she also had a number of mentors that have helped her over the years such as Mike Smith, Sandra Knowles, Kelsie Johnson, the late Obediah Wilchcombe, the late Lionel Dorsett,Miranda Young, Kirk Smith and Dianna Swann.

She worked for many years mentoring others and became the Assistant General Manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas responsible for news.

Debbie has this advice for young women looking to start a career in journalism.

“Read a lot, take advice. Find someone in the business that you admire and be mentored, it is a law of success. I would say to the young professional, always be governed by vision. Know your environment, know the founders both locally and internationally. Know the trends and use the platforms for substance,” she said.

Photos Credit: Nassau Guardian

Experience: 30+ years Where is she now: Entrepreneur, M.

Michelle Malcolm is one of the most respected journalists with over 30 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has served as news anchor, reporter, talk show host, writer and producer; interviewing countless celebrities, dignitaries and everyday people with insight and poise. She continues to be a trailblazer whose work spans empowering women, elevating national issues and shaping media in The Bahamas.

Her career began at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas.

“I knew I needed to do something that was new and exciting every day to keep me engaged, but I wasn’t sure what that would be. Then one day, I turned on the television and saw someone on ZNS doing a news brief, and I was inspired to get into the field” “Entering the industry at the time I did was exciting, regardless of gender. I studied broadcast journalism in college and upon returning home, I immediately applied to ZNS. It took a few months, but when I was finally hired, I was thrown right into the job by then News Director Ed Bethel, who gave me my first assignment which aired later that week. That may not be a big deal nowadays, but back then, it was because you had to earn the privilege of getting your story to air.” Michelle recalls her stint as a woman reporter did not come without its challenges.

“Well, for one thing, we were paid less than our male counterparts, even though we were doing the same amount of work. Also, there were instances of sexual harassment. Things were different back then, there was no “Me Too” movement, and women often suffered in silence and endured it,” she said. Women Behind The Headlines “I remember in one instance when I was a young reporter, a high placed public servant threated to ‘have my job’ because I rejected his advances. In that instance, I didn’t just stay quiet though. I went straight to the general manager’s office and reported the incident. I was assured that I didn’t have to be concerned. Other than that, I can’t think of any challenges that I faced because I was a woman.” She noted that over the years, women have shaped the news in The Bahamas.

“Women have not only diversified and humanized journalism in The Bahamas but have also risen to leadership positions, shaped public discourse, and mentored the next generation of media professionals,” she said.

Their impact has made the media landscape more inclusive, representative, and socially engaged. Through talk shows, opinion columns, and investigative reporting, Bahamian women in journalism have held politicians and institutions accountable; given visibility to cultural movements and youth voices; and played critical roles in defending press freedom, especially in times when media independence faced political pressures.

“Women now occupy leadership positions in media houses, which historically were maledominated. This representation ensures more inclusive decision-making in newsroom agendas. Their presence challenges stereotypes, proving that women can not only report the news but also direct editorial strategy, influence national debates, and mentor future journalists.” Michelle continues to be a powerful voice in national conversation. Throughout her career she has covered three prime ministers and numerous world leaders including Nelson Mandela.

“I stood toe to toe with politicians who thought they could influence or intimidate me in some way. I did human interest stories that touched lives. I remember a parent of a teenager coming up to me one day, thanking me and saying how she saw positive changes in her child after he regularly watched Teen Spirit, a show that I hosted ‘back in the day’. It’s moments like those that make you realize that all of the sacrifice was not in vain,” she said.

In a media landscape that is constantly evolving, Opal Roach’s calm yet commanding voice speaks volumes. With decades of dedication to ZNS, she has navigated newsroom turbulence, structual shifts and evolving audience needs. Her reputation is built on unwavering commitment to editorial quality and a deep understanding of the Bahamian narrative. While she has spent many years on the anchor desk, Opal now leads quietly behind the headlines.

Opal, like many others, began her career at ZNS. This was after she changed her mind from being an educator.

“Initially, I aspired to be an educator and pursued that path in college. However, after spending a summer working at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, I discovered a passion for storytelling and media, which led me to switch my major to Mass Communication. Starting out as a young woman in the field, I entered an environment where women were wellrepresented, but it was still important to assert yourself and build a distinct professional identity in a highly competitive space” Mentored by names such as Michelle Malcolm, Carlton Smith, the late Obie Wilchcombe and Elaine and Agnes Ferguson, Opal says she always knew that she was meant to lead the newsroom.

However, she said when she got to this point, there were still a few hurdles to overcome.

“One of the main hurdles was being taken seriously in leadership and decision-making roles. There were moments when I had to prove my abilities, and demonstrate that my voice and perspective were valuable. Balancing high-pressure assignments with personal and professional expectations were also demanding, but those experiences ultimately strengthened my resilience and commitment to the field,” Opal said. Women Behind The Headlines “I learned the importance of persistence. Even when my perspective wasn’t initially acknowledged, I continued speaking up and did so with confidence. Over time, consistently contributing and demonstrating my expertise helped ensure my voice was heard and respected.” Additionally, she had the challenge of being a single mother in a demanding profession.

“It wasn’t always easy, but I had to find the right balance between being a mother and performing at my job. It meant learning to manage my time effectively, setting priorities, and sometimes making sacrifices. At the same time, I wanted to show my son the value of hard work, dedication, and following your passion. It’s been a journey of resilience, patience, and determination, but one that has made me stronger both personally and professionally,” she said.

After decades in media, Opal says many in the newsroom have had to adapt to reporting trends.

“The rise of digital media and social platforms has transformed the way news is gathered and reported. There’s a greater emphasis on immediacy, which can be both an opportunity and a challenge for accuracy and depth. At the same time, audiences are more engaged and interactive, expecting stories that are not only informative but also relevant and impactful. Traditional values of investigative reporting and ethical storytelling remain crucial, but journalists now must balance these with the speed and accessibility that modern platforms demand,” she said. She added that women continue to excel in the profession of journalism.

“Women journalists have excelled across all areas, from investigative reporting to anchoring and editorial leadership, showing courage, persistence, and creativity. Their presence has also inspired younger generations of women to enter the field, making Bahamian journalism more diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the society it serves,” she said.

For women wanting to excel to the top of the journalism, Opal says striving for excellence is the key.

“Success may not come exactly when you want it, but if you keep pushing, learning, and working hard every single day, the rewards will follow. Stay persistent, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of your own voice. Your dedication will open many doors for you.”

Experience: 30 years Where is she now: Executive Editor, Nassau Guardian Candia Dames

Fearless, uncompromising and razor sharp, Candia Dames has long been a force in Bahamian journalism. As Executive Editor of the Nassau Guardian, she has built a reputation for bold commentary and incisive reporting that cuts through political noise and holds power to account. In a media landscape where truth is often contested, Candia has emerged as both watchdog and trailblazer, unafraid to challenge the status quo while mentoring a new generation of voices. She’s passionate about her craft and is shaping the national conversation with courage and conviction.

Candia knew she wanted to be a journalist when she was in high school.

“I handwrote stories and passed them around to family and friends to read in homemade books I created. However, it wasn’t until my last year in high school when my homeroom teacher at H. O. Nash High School Evon Wisdom made us write daily critiques of The Nassau Guardian that my interest in journalism was truly piqued. I enrolled in the journalism programme at The College of The Bahamas. I figured it would be easy and fun since writing was my thing,” She caught the eye of the late Darold Miller, who invited her to do an internship at Jones Communications.

“It was an interesting and exciting time working in media. These were the final days before the Information Revolution really took off — when old school journalism practices were still a thing. It was the second Ingraham administration when Sir Lynden was in opposition. There were so many notable parliamentarians and nation builders still on the scene. There were also media giants who still worked in the field and I was able to learn a great deal from them.” Candia said.

She also learned a great deal from several mentors. Women Behind The Headlines “Most notable was the late Darold Miller who offered me that internship when he attended Journalism Day at COB in 1995. I learnt so much from Darold, who was a colourful media personality, and also a brilliant journalist. Darold was hard on us young reporters. We did not come up soft in this profession and I am truly grateful for the experiences I had under his leadership,” she said.

“I also gained a wealth of knowledge from the late Ed Bethel, who was also in the Jones Communications newsroom. Mr. Bethel was an icon and so much fun to work with. He was a walking history book, an invaluable asset to young journalists. So too was Wendall Jones, who was the CEO of Jones Communications with access to all the movers and shakers in The Bahamas. I learnt a lot watching Mr. Jones function and I am grateful for the opportunities I had while I was affiliated with his media company for 13 years.” Candia also noted that there were many prominent women in Bahamian journalism.

“We certainly have had some notable and accomplished women in media in The Bahamas — The Tribune’s Eileen Carron, the late Nicki Kelly and Debbie Bartlett come immediately to mind — but I do not know if media has changed specifically because of Bahamian female journalists. I am tremendously honored to be in a position of leadership at The Nassau Guardian which has afforded me an opportunity to help shape the direction of media, and train younger colleagues,” she said.

For those seeking to be a part of the Bahamian media landscape, Candia urges them to be unafraid of hard work.

“Nothing compensates for hard work. Read good journalism. Watch good journalism. Find yourself a mentor who is accomplished, and learn all you can from that person. If you are not willing to eat, live and sleep journalism, especially in your early years as a journalist, you would likely be average at your craft,” she said.

Other notable female journalists who bolstered the Bahamian media landscape include Eileen Carron who has been the publisher and editor of the Tribune since 1972. As of 2023, she is recognized as the world’s longest-serving editor and publisher with 60 years in the role. She has also been honoured with the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George during independence day for fearless journalism. Another legendary female journalist was Nikki Kelly, who left an indelible mark on Bahamian journalism. She was a veteran journalist whose critiques minced few words. Her writings in The Tribune and The Punch were widely read and frequently appeared above the fold. Ms. Kelly recently passed away at the age of 93.

Photo credit: Bahamas National Portrait Gallery