journalistic frontline, David White says he's seen it all By Raymond Hainey David White's father had to pay The Royal Gazette to take him on as a summer student in the 1950s.

Now, 45 years later, Mr. White is leaving Par-la-Ville Road after more than two decades in the Editor's chair, retiring on Dec. 15.

But he won't be giving up writing just yet -- he is planning a book on his years in journalism.

Mr. White said: "It's largely going to be how I saw specific events, like the move towards Independence, with a certain amount of insider knowledge about how these things did, or didn't come about.

"But it won't in any way be an autobiography. And I may put together a little book of what I see as the best of my editorials.'' And he added -- with a certain amount of satisfaction, it must be said: "When I read them, some of them are amazingly prophetic.'' And new Editor Bill Zuill has also asked his predecessor to write a regular column -- which Mr. White is considering.

The young David must have made his mark on management early because they invited the 16-year-old back for a second summer: "The second time, my father didn't pay them -- but they didn't pay me either.

"The third summer they gave me a small cheque at the end, which was progress, I suppose.'' And progress was the name of the game for a youngster who may not have been born with printer's ink in his blood, but got a massive transfusion early on.

Mr. White said: "It's the only place in the Country where I would never have been bored.

"There might seem to be a lot of options today, but there weren't that many options then -- unless you went to one of the banks.'' But -- despite his father's attempts -- the young White refused to join the pinstriped brigade at the Bank of Butterfield and stuck with journalism.

He said: "I'd have died of boredom in a bank -- and if I hadn't, I would have long since been made redundant.'' Mr. White began his full-time career at the then-daily Mid-Ocean News in the 60s and, after two years as a reporter, was promoted to Assistant Editor in 1965. He became Editor of the newspaper when it went weekly in 1968, a post he held for five years.

In 1973, he joined The Royal Gazette as Assistant Editor under Eric Hopwood, took over the top job in 1976 -- and has remained there ever since.

And he's seen the transition from hot-metal printing to high-technology in the newsroom.

Mr. White -- speaking from his glass-fronted corner office where the walls are lined with awards won during his time at The Royal Gazette -- said he had mixed feelings about going.

He said: "Some people are saying `you'll miss it' -- I sort of miss it already because I find the packing-up very depressing.

"I'll certainly miss being in the know. I think Bermuda is the sort of place that, when you're out, you're really out. And I think I'm going to be really out.'' He added: "I just felt there were some things I wanted to do for myself -- I was getting older and every time somebody was slanging me off in The Royal Gazette , my daughter would phone me and remind me that I hadn't retired yet.

"And there are so many younger, talented people here, I thought I was in their way -- I'm 65 and most people retire at 65.'' But Mr. White said he will not miss the high profile of the job -- and the power to set the agenda as boss of the only daily newspaper on the Island.

He said: "One thing I have never enjoyed about this job is the power -- there is a lot of power and it's the one thing that's often frightened me.

"Journalists ought to be reporting the news and reflecting their country. I don't think they want to be running the country. That's not the job of the press.'' And he added that he wouldn't miss the abuse which goes hand-in-hand with the editorship of The Royal Gazette -- often from bigots who are keen on respect and human rights for themselves and really ought to know better.

Mr. White -- a fundamentally shy man whose public face is sometimes mistaken for arrogance -- said: "It's often been extremely nasty. But I've always had the wonderful facility to be able not to take the Gazette home with me at nights.

"I joke that I've been here so long that I'm immune -- but that's not true.

There have been many times that criticism has affected me pretty deeply, although I tend not to let that kind of thing show in the office.'' And he added that attacks on the Gazette -- ironically -- discouraged young Bermudians from taking up journalism.

Mr. White -- who savaged the UBP in editorials from Independence through the burger wars to the departure of ex-Police Commissioner Colin Coxall -- laughed off claims of bias.

He said: "I don't think the Gazette is pro-UBP -- it's very pro-Bermuda and this is a very conservative and middle-class country. As a result, the Gazette is basically a conservative, middle-class newspaper.

"But to its credit, it's fought over the years for all the advanced social legislation, something many politicians didn't do.

"Part of the perception of The Royal Gazette being very pro-UBP is simply the fact that the UBP was in power for 30 years and any Government in power makes the news.

"Since the UBP was in the position to make the news, it got the news coverage. It's my distinct impression that, in the last few weeks, that position has been given to the new Government.

"Personally, my problem has been that I don't really fit politically into either party. I'm a liberal in a very conservative country and I'm not a socialist.'' But Mr. White said he'll also take a lot of happy memories and pride in his achievements when he leaves.

"Often these people who criticise the Gazette have become so used to it being good that they take a lot of it for granted,'' he added.

"It would have been very easy for the directors of this company to have decided the paper was going to take the advertising revenue, which it could do because it's the only game in town, and not provide much of a newsroom.

"The public is blessed by the fact that this company has been willing to put so much money into the news product.'' But the circulation figures -- 10,500 a day when he became Editor to 17,000-plus today -- prove somebody must like it.

He added: "I'm particularly proud that the Gazette has been willing to do its job, to go into dark corners and has not been scared off by politicians, lawsuits or threatening advertisers.'' Mr. White said Gazette coverage which will live in his mental cuttings file include the assassination of then-Governor Sir Richard Sharples in 1973 -- and the 1977 riots following the hanging of two men for a series of killings, including Sir Richard's.

And he added he was proud of the recall of Governor Sir Richard Posnett amid controversy over financial irregularities at Government House -- a Royal Gazette exclusive.

But Mr. White added: "The Gazette has over the years done some things I'm not especially proud of. On occasion it's had a tendency to sometimes go a bit too far -- but there are any number of news stories we've done I'm very proud of.'' And he said: "I'd like to be remembered for having played it pretty fair and for having tried to get it right.

"I'm the last person in the world to say The Royal Gazette always gets it right -- but I'd like to be remembered for trying to get it right.

"I think, I hope, people are aware that in all these years, I wouldn't sell out in any way.''