PM pays tribute to Journalist Raoul Pantin

It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the death of journalist Mr Raoul Pantin on Wednesday.

Mr Pantin was a journalist ‘extraordinaire’ whose writings were known to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for the past 53 years.

Our nation and the entire media fraternity have suffered a great loss. I extend my heartfelt prayers to Raoul’s family and friends at this difficult time of bereavement. Raoul was a man who positively influenced the careers of many past and present members of the media family during his time in both the print and electronic media.

He was a successful playwright, poet and columnist. Pantin put his own unique signature on the major issues of the day through his fortnightly column, “Mark My Word”. His experience as a hostage at the then Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT), during the 1990 attempted coup, compelled him to pen “Days of Wrath” an insightful, eye witness commentary, on six harrowing days in our nation’s history.

Through his own writings, Raoul told of his experiences, including his testimony in 2012 at the Commission of Enquiry into the events of 1990. From the person I knew, Raoul felt the pain, not only for himself, but for the country at what took place in 1990. As some of his colleagues said, Raoul was never the same after 1990. But he continued to blaze the trail, keeping the country informed about important issues, as well as nurturing the young people who want to make a career in journalism.

Pantin was the author of “Journey”, a volume of poetry. He wrote six plays including Hatuey, an Amerindian tale, which have been staged at various venues throughout Trinidad and Tobago. He was also credited with the screenplay, BIM.

Raoul was an accomplished media professional. Raoul will be missed, but we thank God for his life and the remarkable contribution he has made to the profession and the community. May his soul rest in peace