Founder of iWitness News, journalist Kenton X. Chance, has recognised the late Asberth Williams’s contribution to the media in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Chance, who is transitioning to diplomacy after 23 years in journalism, paid tribute to Williams, the founder of Asberth News Network (ANN), at his funeral in Calder on Sunday.
Williams died of cancer on Dec.23, two months after he celebrated his 50th birthday.
In a tribute on behalf of local media practitioners, Chance spoke of how Williams moved from being popular as a radio commentator to founding ANN as a news website — essentially a story of taking a risk despite limitations and challenges.
“As Asbert’s popularity grew with his ‘man-on-the-ground’ commentary, he started Asbert News Network (ANN). It was a brave, if not reckless thing to do — a man untrained and inexperienced in journalism running a news website,” Chance told the congregation.
Chance, who studied communication and international relations in Taiwan, said that, through his formal training and experience in journalism, he was able to guide Williams, who was untrained and inexperienced.
Chance said that Williams at times sought, and obtained, his permission to use iWitness News content to inform his commentaries.
He said that, as a result, they interacted even more as he sometimes volunteered feedback on Williams’ content or approach, “my view informed by my formal training and experience — and my motivation, the interest of my profession”.
Chance said that as their friendship grew, as he would with any colleague who is inclined to listen — even if not necessarily to act on his advice — he called Williams from time to time and offered “this or that suggestion about how a story could have been approached differently.
“Sometimes he, too, would seek my advice, and at other times I would simply copy his stories, edit them, and send them back to him,” Chance said.
“Without fail, he replaced his own copy with my edited version. He always thanked me for my feedback and efforts,” Chance said.
As their work relationship grew, Williams sometimes called to let him know he had a new writer and asked him to provide guidance, if necessary, when he saw them on assignment.
Chance said he and Williams had some “intense interactions” at times, adding that this is expected of life and human interaction, but what is important “is that one works beyond them”.
The tribute suggested that Chance’s guidance helped Williams’ ANN move from initially just a breaking news website to a website with detailed news stories from time to time.
“In his 50 years, Asbert has made his contribution,” Chance said, adding that as someone who practised journalism for almost half as long as Williams lived, he knows that many people have a lot to say about the media and its reportage.
“However, I know that many people are thankful that when faced with this or that situation, a media entity is willing to give them a voice,” Chance said, adding that Williams and his ANN provided a significant number of people with a platform to seek redress.
“Though untrained in journalism or mass communications, he saw what many trained people often do not see: an opportunity to generate income for himself and others,” Chance said.
“He turned popularity into a business. And, for this, I am sure that when the history of journalism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is written, Asbert Williams will feature in this chapter.
Williams also won the Best Social Media Personality category of Searchlight newspaper’s Best of SVG people’s choice awards on multiple occasions.
He was also involved in sports activism, business and charity.