‘A master of the craft’

THE Jamaican media fraternity lost one of its most distinctive voices on Thursday with the passing of veteran broadcaster Dervan Malcolm after a long illness.

Members of the media, political, business, and Diaspora communities were effusive in their tributes to Malcolm who entered the media landscape in 1993 at the now-defunct
Power 106 while still serving as head boy of Calabar High School.

Leading the tributes was Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who remembered Malcolm for his “calm, distinct and trusted voice”.

“Through his work at Power 106 and especially his programme, Both Sides of the Story, he created space for meaningful conversations on the issues that matter to Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.

“Dervan was a consummate communicator who used his platform to inform, educate, and empower. His commitment to public discourse, road safety, child protection, entrepreneurship, and the Jamaican Diaspora reflected a deep desire to make a positive difference,” said Holness as he expressed condolence to Malcolm’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider media fraternity.

“Jamaica has lost a respected broadcaster and a distinctive voice whose contribution will not be forgotten,” added Holness.

In the meantime, Opposition spokeswoman on information Nekeisha Burchell described Malcolm as “a super talent and a master of the broadcast craft”.

“Dervan Malcolm was blessed with a powerful, silky voice, but his gift went far beyond the quality of his voice. He was poised, controlled, and totally unruffled behind the microphone, with a signature style that was unmistakably his own.

“He was among that early generation of broadcasters who helped to shape Power 106 and define it as an informative, accessible, middle-of-the-road station where Jamaicans could engage seriously with the issues of the day while still being entertained,” said Burchell.

“Under the leadership of Newton James, Dervan and others helped to establish the character of the station. Even in his earliest programmes, his talent was evident. There was something wonderfully Jamaican about the call-in programmes he hosted. Each exchange felt familiar and authentic, while remaining respectful and entertaining. Dervan could connect with people from every walk of life without ever losing his composure or command of the programme,” added Burchell.

She said Malcolm’s extraordinary range distinguished him even among accomplished broadcasters.

“He was an adept voice impersonator who could portray characters with remarkable ease and precision, and his command of Spanish was another dimension of his talent. He would weave Spanish effortlessly into his broadcasts, never boastfully or simply for effect. You could leave his programme having learnt something new, sometimes even in another language. That was Dervan: Informed without being overbearing, confident without being boastful, authoritative without being disrespectful. His versatility reflected the breadth of the man and his mastery of communication,” said Burchell.

For his part, veteran journalist and head of Nationwide News Network Cliff Hughes said, with Malcolm’s death Jamaica has lost one of its most talented exponents of the art of broadcasting

“Blessed with a rare ability to communicate flawlessly, Dervan distinguished himself as a hard-working professional, a dedicated pro who evolved as an advocate of the diaspora community,” said Hughes.

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) also paid tribute to Malcom, noting that he “was a respected and influential voice in Jamaican broadcasting whose career spanned more than three decades”.

“He dedicated 31 years of service to the Independent Radio Company, building a reputation as a consummate professional, a trusted journalist, and a passionate advocate for public education and national development,” the PAJ said.

The PAJ pointed out that Malcolm’s journey into broadcasting was rooted in his success in the performing arts, including his participation in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Festival of the Performing Arts.

“Dervan represented the very best of Jamaican broadcasting and journalism. He understood that journalism is not simply about reporting what is happening; it is about helping people understand the issues that shape their lives,” PAJ President Dashan Hendricks said.

“His work with the diaspora is particularly noteworthy. We will remember Dervan for his professionalism, warmth and commitment to public service, all of which earned him the respect of colleagues and audiences alike,” Hendricks added.

The PAJ said that throughout Malcom’s “distinguished career”, he served in several key roles, including news presenter and editor, sportscaster, talk show producer and executive producer of programmes.

“In 2007, he launched and hosted Both Sides of the Story on Power 106 FM, a programme that became synonymous with informed and balanced public discourse. Through that platform, Dervan sought to educate, empower, and enlighten listeners while championing entrepreneurship and civic engagement,” the PAJ said.

It added that Malcom’s impact extended well beyond the studio as he was a strong advocate for road afety, child protection, and issues affecting Jamaicans living overseas.

“His dedication to the Jamaican Diaspora earned him numerous accolades, including the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations’ Diaspora Ambassador in Media Award and the Team Jamaica Bickle Award for his service, journalism and commitment to Diaspora-related issues. His work was also recognised by the City of Los Angeles and the Jamaica Awareness Association of California,” the PAJ said, adding: “His voice may be silent, but his contribution to Jamaican journalism and public service will not be forgotten.”