The Belize Times
Encyclopedia
The Belize Times is a Belize
an 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
. As of August 2006, it has published over 4,500 issues, making it the longest continuously published newspaper in Belize since 1950.
Its motto is "The Truth Shall Make You Free", a shortened form of Bible verse John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (King James Version)
For much of the 1980s the newspaper was presented as "The Sunday Times"; it resumed printing under the Belize Times moniker in the 1990s.
The Times has been involved in several lawsuits and controversies, being the chief print organ for the PUP. Though the major political parties rarely sue each other over accusations printed in the other's newspaper, allegations have at times become serious enough to warrant a response.
Longtime columnist Emory King died in August 2007. King's column officially ceased with the August 19 issue of the Times.
lost it the support of the Belize Billboard, owned by Phillip Goldson
.
The Belize Times is the official organ of the People's United Party and generally supports the actions of that party. Its feature articles contain information which promote the achievements of the PUP, and are generally critical of the opposing United Democratic Party
, whether in or out of government. The Times has also gained a reputation for its support for the arts through its weekly reviews of many Belizean artists.
over articles printed in the newspaper in October 2006 which they claimed defamed Young Barrow. Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh issued an injunction, which the Times appealed.
On November 9, 2006, Chief Justice Conteh lifted the injunction and set the case for January 2007.
In February 2007, Conteh ruled against the Times and set damages at BZ$40,000, the third highest award (including lawyer fees and costs) in legal history. The Times will consider an appeal, and in its Friday issue for that week continued to proclaim its innocence and accuse other media houses of unfair treatment of PUP public figures, which it says approaches libel.
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 once a week and the official organ of the 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....
. 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
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
. As of August 2006, it has published over 4,500 issues, making it the longest continuously published newspaper in Belize since 1950.
Its motto is "The Truth Shall Make You Free", a shortened form of Bible verse John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (King James Version)
Staff
- Editor: Michael Rudon
- Office Manager: Linsford Castillo
- Printing Personnel Supervisor: Doreth Bevans
- Desktop Publisher: Christopher Williams
- Typist: Rachael Arana
- Office Supervisor: Fay Castillo-McKay
- Printers: Mark Wagner, Oscar Obando
Newspaper history
The Times began publishing in 1956 under the patronage of then leader George Price, who had just ousted ten members of the PUP from its Central Committee, including Phillip Goldson, owner and editor of the Belize Billboard.For much of the 1980s the newspaper was presented as "The Sunday Times"; it resumed printing under the Belize Times moniker in the 1990s.
The Times has been involved in several lawsuits and controversies, being the chief print organ for the PUP. Though the major political parties rarely sue each other over accusations printed in the other's newspaper, allegations have at times become serious enough to warrant a response.
Longtime columnist Emory King died in August 2007. King's column officially ceased with the August 19 issue of the Times.
Sections of Newspaper
- Headlines
- Top national news stories
- Editorials (official editorial, "Hard-Hitting" and "Outspoken" guest editorials)
- Seniors Column (compilation of columns from Emory King and "Aunt" Grace Coleman)
- Feature articles and international news
- Classified ads
- Sports
Writing style and criticism
The Belize Times was established in 1956 after a split in the partyPeople'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....
lost it the support of the Belize Billboard, owned by Phillip Goldson
Phillip Goldson
Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was a Belizean newspaper editor, activist and politician. He served in the House of Representatives of Belize as member for the Albert Division from 1961 to 1998 and twice as a Minister...
.
The Belize Times is the official organ of the People's United Party and generally supports the actions of that party. Its feature articles contain information which promote the achievements of the PUP, and are generally critical of the opposing 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:...
, whether in or out of government. The Times has also gained a reputation for its support for the arts through its weekly reviews of many Belizean artists.
2006 libel controversy
The Belize Times answered to a recent libel suit in the Supreme Court, filed by Attorney Lois Young and her former husband Opposition leader Dean BarrowDean Barrow
Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election...
over articles printed in the newspaper in October 2006 which they claimed defamed Young Barrow. Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh issued an injunction, which the Times appealed.
On November 9, 2006, Chief Justice Conteh lifted the injunction and set the case for January 2007.
In February 2007, Conteh ruled against the Times and set damages at BZ$40,000, the third highest award (including lawyer fees and costs) in legal history. The Times will consider an appeal, and in its Friday issue for that week continued to proclaim its innocence and accuse other media houses of unfair treatment of PUP public figures, which it says approaches libel.