A legend in Jamaican journalism, Ian Boyne left a lasting impression on the media and shaped stories and perceptions for over 30 years. His incredible journey, which began in poverty and ended in international recognition, proves the strength of drive, tenacity, and purpose.

Being a columnist or journalist is, in my opinion, conducting public opinion, standing out for the truth, and denouncing those who would persecute minority communities. Boyne has repeatedly demonstrated what fair and impartial journalism is and ought to be. It’s the people’s voice through written activism. Being interviewed by this iconic figure was to be given a safe space to be heard; he was impartial and asked all the crucial questions that anyone watching his programme could appreciate.

As a young boy, I had long dreamed of sitting across from Boyne on Television Jamaica’s (TVJ) Profile and telling the country about how I overcame adversity to make it. Little did I know, though, that my aspirations to be on this talk show would come to an end when Boyne passed away in 2017. This made me cry during a maths camp hosted by my high school to get ready for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams in May and June of 2018, and other students made fun of me for crying, declaring that I would never be able to sit opposite Boyne on Profile. But I am still determined that one day I will be able to appear on this show.

If only Boyne knew how many sons he raised because his legacy and outstanding journalism showed us as young black boys that we can achieve anything regardless of where we come from, you might even have been raised by a single parent in a one-room hut or have been given away at birth with no family to support. He showed us all that we, young black boys, can do anything.

As Jamaica’s best journalist and a father patriot, I honour him.

Early Life and Education:

Few names inspire the same level of respect and awe as Boyne. He is a living example of the enduring power of storytelling and the unwavering pursuit of truth, having had an outstanding career spanning over three revolutionary decades. We are invited to look behind the surface to uncover the unsung victories and hidden tales that have weaved the fabric of his legacy as we set out on a quest to untangle the complex tapestry of his life’s work.

The beginnings of Boyne’s journalistic journey can be found in the crowded streets of Kingston, Jamaica, where he was born in 1950. Boyne was instilled with the qualities of diligence and tenacity at a young age, having grown up in a home that placed high importance on education and hard work. The roots of his journalistic zeal were planted during these modest beginnings, signalling the start of a career that would go on to achieve fame.

Profile

Central to Boyne’s legacy is the iconic television series Profile, a veritable institution in the realm of Jamaican media. For over 30 years, Profile served as a conduit through which Boyne illuminated the lives of extraordinary individuals who had triumphed over adversity. From the corridors of power to the forgotten corners of society, Boyne’s probing interviews captured the essence of the human spirit, transcending mere reportage to deliver narratives imbued with empathy and depth.

Author and Motivational Speaker: Crafting Epics of Inspiration

Beyond the confines of the television screen, Boyne’s literary endeavours served as a testament to his prowess as a wordsmith and a sage.

In collaboration with motivational speaker Glenford Smith, Boyne penned the seminal work Profile of Excellence: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement from 25 Years of Interviewing Remarkable People.

This compendium of wisdom, distilled from over 1,300 interviews conducted on Profile, stands as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come, offering a road map to greatness forged in the crucible of adversity.

Other Notable Works: A Renaissance Man of the Media

Boyne’s voracious appetite for knowledge and his insatiable curiosity propelled him to explore diverse avenues of journalistic expression. From hosting the thought-provoking Religious Hardtalk to penning insightful newspaper columns compiled in IdeasMatter, Boyne’s oeuvre was characterised by its breadth and depth.

Each endeavour bore the indelible imprint of Boyne’s unwavering commitment to provoke thought and stimulate dialogue, transcending the boundaries of conventional journalism to chart new territories of intellectual inquiry.

Legacy and Impact: A Guiding

We are reminded of the enormous influence one person can have on the world around them as we consider Boyne’s life and legacy. Boyne is known as “The Father of Positive Journalism” and his message of independence, inspiration, and empowerment is still relevant to audiences large and small. His ink-stained legacy reminds us that the pursuit of excellence is a journey of continuous growth and discovery rather than just a destination, and it acts as a beacon of guidance for aspiring journalists and truth-seekers.

We remember Boyne as a titan of journalism whose influence knows neither geographical nor temporal bounds. May Boyne’s unflinching dedication to truth serve as an inspiration for us as we navigate the media landscape’s ever-changing currents.

And for this reason I find Boyne’s journalism to be educational. This is the reason I write with no fear of posing pertinent queries. The questions that most people in our country still find taboo and might spark a riot in Jamaica’s streets, from Spanish Town and downtown Kingston to Morant Bay and rural areas of the country. The kinds of writing demanding social reform seeking representatives of every minority group marching and regaining personal authority. The kind of writing that will inspire Jamaican Rastafarians to rebel against any society that attempts to stifle their independence and liberty. The kind of writing that will prompt women and young girls to march and demand an end to the Jamaican system that keeps them behind their male counterparts and combat abuse against them. Writing that will, at last, spark a public conversation about granting the LGBTQ community equal rights to a life free from discrimination and tyranny. Writing that is impartial, fair, and just.

Since you are a native of Jamaica, you should be allowed to live, love, and exercise your right to freedom of religion. To quote poet, writer, academic, philosopher, intersectional feminist, and civil rights activist Aurde Lorde, you will never use the master’s tools to dismantle the master’s house. So I intend to write to spark a national wake-up of all Jamaicans, showing us all that Jamaica has the people and resources to dominate and compete with developed countries.

But first we must liberate our people and you can never beg for freedom, freedom is taken and the price of freedom is death, so be prepared to die for it. These are not my words, they are the words of Malcolm X.

Tajay Francis

mrtajayfrancis@gmail.com