GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Monday described the late veteran journalist, Rickey Singh, as “ a Caribbean son of the soil and journalist par excellence” as it joined in extending condolences to his family following his death.

The Guyanese-born Singh, who died in Barbados on July 5, will be buried on July 16 in Barbados, where he lived for several years.

In a statement, Caricom said that for more than five decades, Singh, “served as a pillar of journalism in the region” and that “his unwavering dedication to his craft, and his sharp analyses and fearless pursuit of truth, earned him respect and admiration across the region.

“Rickey, as he was popularly known, was a passionate advocate for our regional integration movement. His work facilitated a deeper understanding of the Caribbean Community. He had a profound understanding of the region’s political landscape and provided perspectives that were both insightful and instructive. This was invaluable to the people of the Community in the early days of our integration movement.”

Caricom said that “his was a strong and consistent voice in defence of press freedom, championing the vital role of independent journalism in strengthening our democracies.

”The Community mourns the loss of a committed regionalist and media titan. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of Caribbean journalists,” it added.

Singh had received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guyana government in 2023.