Tributes flow for Dennis Johnson

REPRESENTATIVES of both political sides paid tribute yesterday to veteran broadcaster, Dennis Johnson.

Johnson, who was senior producer at Starcom Network Inc. and a moderator of the radio call-in programme, Down to Brasstacks, passed away on Tuesday at age 64. He spent nearly three decades in the media.
Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, who is overseas at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, was among those extending condolences to the late Johnson’s family, friends and work colleagues.
In her statement, she described him as “a man of strong character; a man committed to intellectual and broadcasting honesty and excellence; one who was not afraid to challenge the establishment; to defend the proverbial “small man” – then without so much as batting the eyelid, let that same small man know he was wrong”.
She further shared she “engaged Dennis on many occasions over the 30 years.” She found him to be “unfailingly courteous and always fair”. “He loved to talk, to discuss, to argue, to share his opinion, but always with the greatest of respect for those who engaged him – he was made for radio. Or perhaps, radio was made for him, for he was a natural in front of the mic.”Mottley said, “I shall miss Dennis at a personal level. But Barbados in my view will miss his voice and his message. To his family, we extend our condolences. May the passage of time ease the depth of your loss.” Acting Prime Minister, Santia Bradshaw too publicly offered her condolences. In her statement, she described him as a “Caribbean man”.
“Interestingly though, while Dennis was well known as a radio personality, he left no doubt that his personality was far more than just radio. He was a Caribbean man, born in Grenada, schooled in Trinidad and Tobago and nurtured in Barbados. He saw and espoused the virtue and benefits of Caribbean people recognising, appreciating and living their oneness. All Barbados will miss you, Dennis.”
Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams in his statement highlighted the late Johnson’s time working at the stateowned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He said his “role as a television and radio producer and presenter will always be remembered.” He also said his “reverent tone in the coverage of official ceremonies will be missed by all”.During yesterday’s edition of Down to Brasstacks, many called in to share memories and tributes. Two callers were the President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Verla De Peiza and DLP candidate for St. Michael Central, Courie Cox. The latter spoke of memories while working at Starcom Network with the late Johnson.Meanwhile the DLP President spoke about her time interacting with him as a guest on the radio call-in programme. “Every single time that I was on Brasstacks, he was the producer and... he instantly put me at ease. He made sure that I had something warm because I wasn’t prepared for how cold the studio was. You know, very fatherly, very much the professional making sure that his guests were settled. Everything about how he conducted himself- the epitome of journalism. There was this evenness and fairness about him even when he was probing and it something that we could all emulate in whatever walk of life that we are in.” (MG)