CHANGING TIMES

By Editorial Board

The times are ‘changing’ the song says…and in that vein, things are also changing here at Caymanian Times.

From very humble beginnings this newspaper has endeavoured despite many challenges - and some pushback - to strive for high standards of journalism.

Our approach is not combative or confrontational. Polite probing produces better results.

We toe no line nor do we seek any favours, but we will fight for a level playing field for us and our media colleagues.

Impacted like most other businesses in Cayman by the disruptive effects of the rampaging COVID-19 crisis, we have boldly soldiered on, cutting our cloth to fit the trying business climate but refusing to cut back on the quality of our reporting and analysis.

We are encouraged by the feedback we have been receiving from our readers and business clients.

Now, it’s decision time at Caymanian Times. And we have decided to soldier on.

In fact, that commitment was never in doubt.

Like many other businesses committed to Cayman, folding up shop is out of the question.

So, soldier on we will. But how?

That is the question that keeps us - and other business leaders - up late at night. That’s not unusual for us though. Burning the midnight oil is what we do. It’s our DNA…and that’s how the newspaper business works anyway.

In our own unique way as a community paper and a small-to-medium-sized business enterprise, we are going into the new year with a positive outlook.

For 2021 Caymanian Times will have a new look, size, feel and price.

We have listened to feedback from our readers and clients and we are encouraged. We were particularly interested in perspectives on our free-paper model.

Having survived the challenges of 2020 during which we have had to cut back from being a daily paper to publishing at first three and now just twice per week, we are now proud to announce that your Caymanian Times will be back to three days a week, with plans to be daily when the borders fully open.

With so much happening in, about and around Cayman, we are very concerned with the partial media blackout that exists with a 70% reduction in daily newspapers in the Cayman Islands. Many residents still depend on newspapers for their news and so we will be increasing the number of pages, presenting a greater variety of content and offering more advertising space.

We have also tweaked our business model by introducing a nominal 50 cents cost for the daily paper. We’ll also have more distribution outlets.

While we will still focus principally on the printed newspaper, you’ll also notice some additional elements to our online presence.

The future, despite the challenges thrown up by Covid-19, still looks bright for Cayman and Caymanian Times will be here to report and analyse the trends and keep track of what’s happening in our community; highlighting the best of us and challenging the rest of us to rise to our strengths.

In order for it to be a happy new year, we all have to make it happen.

All this and more in a smarter - and better - Caymanian Times for 2021.