THE Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has led those paying tribute to distinguished journalist and media practitioner Owen James, who died on Thursday.

In a release on Friday, the PAJ said James made significant contributions to the field of journalism in Jamaica for almost five decades.

“Mr James… was renowned for his business programmes on Television Jamaica and CVM Television, and his long-standing career in both print and broadcast media. He began his illustrious journey in journalism at The Gleaner and later became the editor of The Star, succeeding Jack Anderson.

“Throughout his career, James demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, particularly during his tenure at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) in the early 1980s. While there, he played a crucial role in developing a team of talented journalists who would go on to make significant impacts in the industry,” said the PAJ.

It noted that James was a pioneer in business journalism in Jamaica, having recognised the need for more comprehensive coverage of entrepreneurship and financial matters.

“He created influential programmes such as A Ray of Hope, The Business Day, and The Business Review, which remain staples on local television today. Other programmes he created, such as On a Personal Note, garnered critical acclaim and resonated with audiences, particularly young people, and later, the Owen James Report.

“His legacy as a mentor, innovator and advocate for quality journalism will continue to inspire future generations of media professionals in Jamaica and beyond,” added the PAJ.

In a 2011 interview with the Jamaica Observer, James discussed his early career which began at the Gleaner Company and the influence of Jack Anderson whom he succeeded as editor of The Star.

He also told of how he moved on to the now defunct JBC further cementing his career but moved on after it was divested in 1997.

“By 1998, life was becoming a bit boring. I became somewhat introspective and had to figure out what am I going to do now. One of the things I made up my mind not to do was to go and work in a newsroom. But what would I do with the skills I had acquired? Eleven years at The Gleaner and 15 years at JBC. I began to look at the electronic landscape and I noticed the absence of business news. In Jamaica there is a preponderance of political and crime news but very little emphasis is placed on business.

“In 1998, I approached the then general manager of Super Supreme Television [rebranded TVJ] Marcia Forbes and told her I wanted to do a business programme and I named it The Business Day. In those early days it was difficult to sell the programme to advertisers because it was not sports or entertainment. I therefore had to pitch it to corporate Jamaica.

“I remember speaking with the boss of Advertising & Marketing, Arnold Foote, who encouraged me to press ahead with the programme. He put [me on to] Ralston Hyman, who was working as an advertising executive for Foote’s company and who is now a business news broadcaster. Ralston, to his credit, saw merit in the programme and gave me my first ad which was Citizens’ Bank, which became a victim of the financial meltdown of the 90s,” James told the
Observer as he reminisced on what was to become an outstanding late career as an independent producer of business news content.