Veteran journalist and television personality Clem David, 63, died last night at his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home following a prolonged heart condition.
His wife, Charmaine David told Stabroek News this morning that her husband died in his bed around 9:30 last night.
“He was ailing for quite sometime,” the woman said about his heart condition.
The woman said while she knew the father of five was ill for sometime time his death still came as a shock to her. She said the two had been together for some 20 years and described him as a man who was always willing to assist persons.
“He was a kind and helpful person and he helped financially but was also like a lawyer because he always gave advice to people.”
David had a long career in journalism and worked at the Chronicle and the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation. He was a household name as his voice was well known on radio and television and more recently he hosted the popular ‘Sunrise’ show on CNS Channel 6 and his famous promise to ‘call names tomorrow’ whenever he spoke about wrong doings in public offices was always a pull for his viewers the next day.
He was once the prime ministerial candidate for the Justice For All Party (JFAP) and party leader Chandra Narine Sharma this morning told Stabroek News he was saddened to hear about David’s death. He described David as a good friend adding that he would be surely missed.
The Guyana Press Association expressed its deep sadness at David’s passing.
It said in a statement: “Mr. David will be remembered for his sterling contribution over the years towards the Guyana landscape as a journalist and broadcaster. His voice for many years woke us up and in some cases was the last voice we heard before we went to sleep.
“Clem David became a steady presence in many homes through our radios and television sets and built a very loyal following with his “Sunrise Morning Show” on CNS 6, a following that was encouraged every weekday morning to “come together”.
“As a journalist and News Editor he was never afraid to investigate further to get the bottom of a story and reminded local journalists throughout his professional life that they were the voice of the people and ought to take that job seriously.
“He would often guide young reporters about their writing style and enunciation and pronunciation and encouraged many of them to stick to the facts and seek out the truth. He personally was never discouraged by the barbs thrown at him during his career as a journalist.”
Up to 2008 David was the JFAP’s councillor in Region 4 and had supported Regional Chairman Clement Corlette’s fight with the region’s administration over its decision to place advertisements in this newspaper during the government ban on SN. David at the time had noted that he had been in the media for 37 years and said that the Region Four RDC could not have the government continuing a ban on “our best newspaper. We must advertise in it. I agree.”
He said it took courage to take a position on an issue, which was largely undemocratic, but had the blessing of the administration.
