Remembering ‘provocative’ Darold Miller—a passionate and legendary broadcaster

Darold Miller, a veteran journalist and radio personality was remembered for his unique on-air presentation and passionate career in broadcast journalism, spending decades at major media houses in the Bahamas.

His last place of employment before official retirement, ZNS, called him “a fixture” and “legend of television and radio in the Bahamas.”

“He was known for mentoring many of the outstanding journalists in our country today. If there was a story to be told, he told it and if there was something to unearth, he brought the shovels and unearthed,” a ZNS statement read.

Miller, 69, was found dead in his home on Minnie Street after neighbors called the police on Sunday to conduct a welfare check after he was not seen in recent days. Police reported that rigor mortis had already set in.

The Nassau Guardian, where Miller spent a few years, reported that he was recently released from hospital due to an illness.

In 2023, the media legend officially retired from ZNS, and not much was heard from him since that time.

Miller was considered a fearless broadcaster, exuding passion while commenting on national issues. His most popular shows, Immediate Response and Darold Miller Live attracted hundreds of listeners, daily. A staple election broadcaster, the public awaited his announcements of votes garnered by prospective candidates.

“Election night in the Bahamas became something special under Darold’s watchful eye,” Prime Minister Davis said, remembering his comedic approach to elections in the country. “His analysis, his passion for democracy, and his ability to make even the most complex issues accessible to everyday Bahamians made watching elections a different experience. Through his coverage, Darold not only informed us but also engaged us in the democratic process. He had a way of making Bahamians feel connected to their country in a profound way, bringing the excitement and gravity of those moments to life.”

The Free National Movement Leader, Michael Pintard called him “uniquely Bahamian, loved by many who “had a profound impact on the entire nation.”

“His invaluable contribution to media and society is etched permanently in our memory,” Pintard said in a press statement.

Tributes poured in from social media as Bahamians paid tribute to a once familiar voice on talk radio.

In 2008, Miller was accused then acquitted of sexual harassment after an eight-month-long trial. A woman employee at GEMS said he sexually harassed her while he served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. It was determined that there was not enough evidence that he had committed the offense.

In 2014, he addressed the matter on his live radio: “The charge of sexual harassment was one that was brought against me, and it is a very nebulous, fleeting thing that has no basis in our law. When it was tried on me, it was the very first time it was tried. It was something that was brought against me there was no basis of truth.”

He said: “Five years was damaged out of my life, but you know what we gotta do, this stupid law of sexual harassment says if you look at a woman in a manner that is offensive to that woman you can be charged with sexual harassment. I never heard nothing so foolish, that is the most stupid law on the books of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

“First of all,” he added, “they’re walking around – I want to look offensive at you so you can put some clothes on your body. What you’re doing is offensive to me. Under the present law, unless you lobby against it, you can be charged with sexual harassment for flirting.”