The STAR 2014 Year In Review:

  Who felt it and who hurt it?

It hardly came as any surprise to us at the STAR that in 2014 not only were we able to bring “the truth to light” – as we have been doing now for over 30 years in our valiant attempt to keep you informed – but that inadvertently on more than one occasion we also became the “news”. Who can forget our July 26 STAR front cover with the bold headline “St Lucia’s New National Anthem: HURT IT!” and the accompanying picture? Quite apart from exposing the undeniable hypocrisy that exists in Saint Lucia, the reaction in some quarters once again exposed us to the naked truth – that despite having two Nobel Laureates our rate of illiteracy was nothing to be proud of. Even some of those who had read the accompanying article had missed the point, fixated instead, I dare say, on the exposed nipples of the costumed individual on the cover. As I write I cannot help but notice the irony that so many among us are now chanting “Je Suis Charlie” in the name of freedom of the press and in light of the tragic events in Paris on January 7 and 9. While at home the backers of freedom of the press seem to be few and far between.

At any rate 2014 was a challenging year for the media, what with a number of threats coming from public officials and a number of law-suits as well. Indeed it was also a challenging year for us at the STAR, like so many other businesses around. Sadly, we had to put our mid-week paper to rest but thanks to you, our readers, The Weekend STAR (with the red hot 2NITE Magazine and Sports & Health Inc) continues to be the most discussed newspaper both here and by our readers overseas.

In 2014 the STAR continued to call for issues, such as violence against women and children as well as rape, to be given more attention by the authorities. We also continued to champion the call for public accountability and access to better health care by all as well as unhindered access to public information. All of this in a year which saw an alarming number of violent crimes, suicides, high unemployment and food prices. Amidst all of this our hope was reignited by passion emanating from such figures as Chef Nina Compton, Taj Weekes, and Dr. Stephen King as well as our STAR Person of the Year and the individual you, our readers, voted as your STAR Readers’ Person of the Year for 2014. So as we continue to look forward to a better, brighter and more prosperous 2015, we invite you to also take a glance back with us at 2014. After all as they say – “he who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it.” So read on!

                                                                                                                                            STAR EDITOR Toni Nicholas