Veteran journalist Balford Henry dies at 74 after brief illness

Veteran journalist Balford Henry, who died on Monday, is being remembered by colleagues, friends and the political class for his fair yet fearless journalism. His death at age 74, following a brief illness, has triggered widespread tributes across the media industry. “Balford was the person who taught me to look beyond the speech,” recalled Gleaner Associate Editor Robert Hart.

Veteran journalist Balford Henry, who died on Monday, is being remembered by colleagues, friends and the political class for his fair yet fearless journalism. His death at age 74, following a brief illness, has triggered widespread tributes across the media industry. “Balford was the person who taught me to look beyond the speech,” recalled Gleaner Associate Editor Robert Hart.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange says she is saddened by the passing of veteran Jamaican journalist Balford Henry. He was a senior reporter at the Jamaica Observer. In a statement on Monday, Grange described Henry as “a first-rate journalist” who was committed to his craft. According to the minister, Henry was an “outstanding writer and questioner whose easy-going demeanour belied the penetrating nature of his questions.” “I had great respect for Balford. He was always professional in his interactions and in his journalistic pursuits. He was sharp, he was keen, he could be tough, but he was always fair,” she added. The minister has offered sincere condolences to Henry’s family and colleagues. READ: Balford Henry, award-winning veteran journalist, dies at 74

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Award-winning veteran journalist Balford Henry, whose career spanned more than five decades of reporting, has died at the age of 74. He died on Monday after a short illness. Henry entered journalism in 1971 as a trainee reporter with the Gleaner while in sixth form at Wolmer’s Boys’ School in Kingston. Early in his career, he reported on sittings of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) before making his name as a labour relations reporter and later a parliamentary journalist. He also covered major social and cultural activities and historical events, including Bob Marley's funeral in 1981. Henry also served as a senior reporter with the Jamaica Observer and a consulting editor at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). A recipient of a number of professional awards, Henry was the winner of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Honorary Award for a series on the social and economic problems facing Jamaican youths in Britain’s inner cities, based on his own experience while living in the country in 1977, according to the JIS. He also won the PAJ Best Story award for his coverage of Marley’s funeral as well as the PAJ’s first Cultural Story Award for the feature on reggae singer Junior Byles entitled, ‘Fall of a Superstar’. In 2011, Henry was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) for distinguished service to journalism. He leaves behind two sons and two daughters.