Farewell John Maxwell
AFTER TEN days of outpouring of grief from across Jamaica comes a memorial service tomorrow morning at the chapel of the University of the West Indies Mona campus for John Maxwell, a most remarkable journalist of this nation and region. An indefatigable crusader for correcting wrongs, as he understood them to be, Maxwell’s passing on December I0 after battling cancer for the past two years has left a void in the landscape of a vigorous crusading journalism that had so often unsettled more than leaders of governments and captains of industry.
I do not know how many of the new breed of journalists in this country and other member states of our Caribbean Community had more than a passing interest in the contributions of Maxwell to journalism, in both the print and electronic media.
This titan in journalism in Jamaica was famous — some may say infamous — for doing things his way that set him apart from so many others. But most important, without betraying the fundamental ethics of our profession.
This native Jamaican journalist and social commentator has been a formidable voice and tower of strength in advocacy journalism for most of his working years, while maintaining a firm commitment in his articulation of people-focused regional integration.
Since his passing, very eloquent tributes have been flowing  in Jamaica from representatives of government, political parties, academic, business, trade union, cultural and environmental circles and, quite naturally, local and regional media organisations.
It may seem ironic that some political and business voices now recalling Maxwell’s admirable courage and journalistic qualities, as a fearless crusader to right wrongs; or his passionate championing of the interest of the poor and exploited, were once also among the silent voices when he battled the-powers-that-be with his crusading journalism for which he had to endure much personal sacrifices and inconvenience.

Protest walkout
Now I also recall the incident when I had the privilege of staging a walkout with a group of local and foreign journalists from a press conference hosted by former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and ex-long-serving leader of the Jamaica Labour Party
It was in protest against Seaga’s refusal to permit Maxwell’s rightful participation in that event at a time of a general election. It had long been public knowledge, of course, that there was no love lost between that very tough politician and the fierce and much-respected journalist.
I think it is good for the record, and quite relevant to our regional social and political history, to follow the tributes to him of so many in various walks of life. Among them are the rich and powerful, the intellectuals and cultural personalities, entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of organised labour, all saluting the vigour, the passion, the fearlessness and quality of Maxwell’s journalism.
His name has long been associated, in different ways, with the primary media enterprises in Jamaica, starting with the ‘Gleaner’ to the ‘Observer’ (of which he was a columnist up to the time of his deteriorating health).
Also being recalled are his stout contributions with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), his reputation with the BBC, and as a lecturer in mass communication with the University of the West Indies. 
Above all, Maxwell will be fondly remembered as a journalist who not only deeply loved our profession, but its practitioners as well, and was ever willing to demonstrate his solidarity at challenging times, while also signalling his disagreements.

The PAJ
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) — the oldest and perhaps the best functioning journalist body, warts and all, in our region — is reported to be considering how best to honour the veteran, iconic, pacesetting journalist 
I have a humble suggestion: One of the ways could well be the publication, as a reference manual for Jamaican journalists and interested CARICOM colleagues, John’s excellent contribution in the ‘country reports’ section of Speaking Freely (Expression and the Law in the Commonwealth), edited by Robert Martin;
It was published in I999 for the Commonwealth Association for Education in Journalism and Communication.
While we have continued occasional contacts over the years, the last time I had the good fortune to participate in a public forum with John Maxwell was in Barbados on June 28, 2006, as members of a panel, organised and sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), on ‘Development Issues Through the Lens of the Media’.
I join in extending condolences to John’s widow, Dr Marjan de Brun, and their three children.
Farewell John, and may some of your ashes from the coming cremation be left also in the care of the Press Association of Jamaica.