NASSAU, Bahamas — Eldred “Ed” Bethel, the renowned Bahamian journalist and former diplomat, died on Monday, March 13, 2023 at the age of 82.
Mr. Bethel began his journalistic career at The Nassau Daily Tribune in 1959 under the tutelage of The Tribune’s Publisher and Editor Sir Etienne Dupuch and Sir Arthur Foulkes, who was at the time The Tribune’s News Editor.
He subsequently began an outstanding career in broadcast journalism when he joined the News Department of Radio Station ZNS in 1963. During his journalistic career, Bethel covered many of the major events in The Bahamas, including the 1962 Nassau Conference held by United States President John F. Kennedy, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker; the 1962 General Election, in which women voted for the first time; the 1965 disastrous fire and sinking of the SS Yarmouth Castle; the 1965 “Black Tuesday” demonstration by the Progressive Liberal Party, when then Opposition leader Lynden Pindling threw the mace out of the window of the House of Assembly; and the the historic 1967 General Election, which was won the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), ushering in the first majority rule government.
As coordinator of ZNS coverage of The Bahamas’ Bahamas Independence, Mr. Bethel along with the late Charles Carter and the late Carl Bethel were the broadcasters at Clifford Park on the historic night of July 9, 1973 when The Commonwealth of The Bahamas became an independent country.
Mr. Bethel along with the late Sir Charles Carter and the late Calsey Johnson inaugurated local television, ZNS (Channel 13), in July 1977. He was also coordinator of ZNS coverage of the 1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by The Bahamas in Nassau.
Mr. Bethel also served as Manager of ZNS Northern Service and Deputy General Manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. He served as Sports Editor at The Counsellors, Executive Director of Bahamas Information Services, News Editor at Love 97 FM and The Bahama Journal, and News Anchor of the Evening News at Star 106.5 FM
As a diplomat, Bethel served as Consul General to New York (2002 – 2007) and Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to the European Union (2013 -2017).
Mr. Bethel was the recipient of The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award presented by The Bahamas Press Club at its 5th annual Media Awards at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel in downtown Nassau on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is in honour of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, who was Publisher and Editor of The Tribune for more than 50 years. The award was presented to ZMr. Bethel by Mrs Eileen Dupuch Carron, The Publisher and Editor.
I a statement on Wednesday, Prime Minister Philip E. Davis said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Eldred “Ed” Bethel, a giant in the field of journalism and a distinguished diplomat who served The Bahamas with distinction. Mr. Bethel was an exceptional journalist, a skilled broadcaster, and a respected diplomat who made significant contributions to our nation throughout his career.
“Mr. Bethel’s contribution to journalism in The Bahamas cannot be overstated. He began his career at The Tribune under the tutelage of Sir Etienne Dupuch and Sir Arthur Foulkes, and went on to cover many of the major events in The Bahamas.
“His work as coordinator of ZNS coverage of the 1973 Bahamas Independence, along with Charles Carter and Carl Bethel, was a historic moment for our nation.
“As a remarkable diplomat, the face of The Bahamas on the international stage, his service as Consul General to New York and Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to the European Union serve as testaments to his commitment to public service and his unwavering dedication to our country.
“Specifically, Mr. Bethel’s service as Consul General to New York was marked by his dedication to the well-being of Bahamians living in the United States, while his service as Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to the European Union was marked by his commitment to advancing the interests of our nation in Europe.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Bethel was a devoted family man and a community pillar. He will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public service.
“Mr. Bethel’s passing is a great loss to our nation. He will be missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who know him. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of many whose lives he touched and the contributions he made to nation-building.
“On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Bethel’s family, his loved ones and extended families in the Fourth Estate and Diplomat Corps.
“We share in their grief; our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
