The Deputy Prime Minister’s call for a “framework of accountability” on our talk show programmes and internet blogs is most timely. The call was made during her address to the conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s
Caribbean,
Americas and Atlantic Region currently in progress at the Hilton hotel.
Based on comments made to us by persons who care little for the political mud-slinging on these call-in programmes and in Letters to the Editor, Ms. Mottley’s comments are echoing their sentiments and deep concerns for the lack of accountability on these unregulated forms of public discourses that can have a direct impact on the kind of society we can become. We agree with the Deputy Prime Minister that the work of the conference should lead to a policy to reform the
Westminster system so as to protect the credibility of our Parliaments.
This column (BLP NATION Column) has been relentless in calling for accountability on these call-in programmes for some time now. We feel strongly that in an era driven by technology of the kinds we see today, the information we put across our air waves will permanently form the basis of how the rest of the world sees us. Gone are the days when our call-in programmes were aired primarily at home and when our newspapers hardly made it out of the Country and region.
Today globe trotters like investors, social planners, economic advisors and even the criminal elements are using whatever medium at their disposal to help them understand the kind of society with whom they will be interacting. It is therefore critical that the criticisms we have of ourselves are constructive and reflective of the pride and patriotism that we should all have, first and foremost in our country and then in ourselves as a people.
To bear out the accuracy of Ms. Mottley’s call, the Advocate Newspaper of Wednesday, May 24, 2006 under the headlines “What are some of the radio call-in programmes coming to”, writer Eric Griffith expressed some concern about the quality of information that is allowed to go on to our air-waves. He, like this column and Ms. Mottley, believes that outlets must be created for citizens to air their views. In fact he puts it this way, “I am in favour of giving people opportunities to let off steam and to share their opinions with fellow citizens, but one should consider the message that is going out on the air-waves and what effect it might have on this county’s reputation in the eyes of others”.
Mr. Griffith was at time referring to comments made by a caller to one of the call-in programmes which he described as offensive. The caller is reported to have said that the government was “slow poisoning” the people and Mr. Griffith felt that no self respecting radio station should have allowed such a comment to go abroad unchallenged. Recently, a number of persons have been expressing their disgust at the level to which the call-in programmes have been sinking and to be fair to David Ellis he has been making a valiant effort clean up the programme. He must be complimented.
Political parties will come and political parties will go but the institutions and pillars of our democracy which are the bedrock of our socio-economic and political stability must always be protected and held in the highest esteem for the rest of the world to see. These are the things for which Barbadians derive their respect and honour when they travel.
14 responses so far ↓
Barbados Free Press » Blog Archive » Barbados Deputy Prime Minister Says Internet Blogs “Marginalize…Parliament” - Calls For Regulation of Blogs, Call-In Shows On Radio, Television // July 20, 2006 at 2:16 am |
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Barbados Free Press » Blog Archive » Attempted Libel Chill - Barbados Free Press Will Not Be Intimidated // July 20, 2006 at 2:22 am |
[...] Barbados Labour Party Blog – Deputy PM Has Her Say [...]
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 3:10 am |
I am so disappointed that you would support this. Since you do, Explain how this threat to parliament can materialize? Barbadians already have no respect for politicians and parliament, Look at the hue and cry that went up against your raise of pay, look at the hue and cry that went up against GoB views on homosexuality, look at the voter turn out that has been declining sine the abolition of local government. The term polatricks has been around for a very long time, does this label sound like one of respect for your profession? does it have it’s origin in the call in programs or on the blogs? trust me there is no fear here only anger, you cannot stop this in fact you have just raise the level of resentment, disenchantment and downright hostility to polititicians. This cannot stand. The many abuse of parliamentary immunity use to disclose activity and paint negative pictures of other politicians and attack private citizens, why would you exclaim surprise and attribute blame to others for a lack of respect for this institution?
….The ordinary citizen is disadvantage in many ways because the rich and powerfull controls the means of discourse, they usually set the agenda, the internet and the call in programs have allowed the ordinary man to extract some balance that you would not give, and now you would wish to use all manner of frivolus concerns and excuses to SILENCE YES SILENCE US it will not stand. Blogs are an accepted practice in America, every politician has one now, Blogs are a force to be reckoned with in the democratic party, and the new media, the Talk shows are the domain of the republicans, rather than attempt censure as the lazy socialist would attmept they have incorporated them, why? because in this great country THERE IS A SEAT AT THE TABLE OF GOVERNANCE FOR THE PEOPLE , THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE PEOPLE TO PLAY IN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. You have demonstrate the simpleton approach of not meeting the demands and aspirations of a patriotic people you have decided not to engage but to ignore and shut down. Sad real sad.
I have made up my mind. I live in the US, Whenever this sleaze bag of a Deputy PM makes any visit to America i will make the effort to attend where ever she may be and draw attention to her castro like attitude and intent. Protesting foreign dignatories from the countries of immigrants livingin America is a cultural passtime, She will have the distinction of being the first Barbadian member of Government to experience such protesting.
Passin Thru // July 20, 2006 at 3:20 am |
I too am disappointed that BLP leadership would not distance themselves from the Deputy PM’s statements. Bad to call the name sleaze bag tho IMO. Everything else I agree with.
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 3:31 am |
PT: Politicians don’t have any respect for anyone not even their collegues both locally, regionally and internationally. I did not call anyone Malik with teeth, i did not call anyone an indentured servant, I did not call Reagan a Cowboy, I did not hide behind parliamentary immunity, spending almost 45 minutes painting a very detail picuture of Phillip Greaves as a thief. or to curse Albert Brandford and Peter Wickham, I did not call a commision of enquiry on anyone only to hold the result over the persos head to silence them. Don’t you tell me that sleaze bag is inappropiate. These people have a severe respect deficit and it is ALL THEIR FAULT NO ONE ELSE.
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 3:43 am |
No so free – Saturday 01, November-2003
Harold Hoyte
by JULIE WILSON
There is obstruction to the provision of basic information in the absence of a Freedom of Information Act, says President and Editor-in-Chief of the Nation Publishing Company, Harold Hoyte.
He was addressing a large gathering at the Democratic Labour Party’s mid-day luncheon at the party’s George Street headquarters yesterday.
Speaking on the topic, The Press and Politics – Myths and Reality, he said that in the face of severe libel laws and a large percentage of unemployed lawyers, he was concerned about having to respond to a barrage of letters each day.
He said he received no fewer than 300 letters a year from lawyers on simple issues.
“I spend more time dealing with that kind of nonsense than the more serious things, but, yes, we do have very serious restrictions in terms of how we respond to the needs of the people in that context.”
Hoyte said there was mistrust on both sides, and some level of confusion and dismay by politicians over how things were done in Fontabelle.
He said there was the notion that reporters were told to write information in a way to advantage one or another person of the party.
Another notion, the newspaper boss said, was that political figures got on the phone and dictated to editors what to write and what not to write.
He also said there was the belief that people other than editors were tested for their political value and were either used or discarded and the staff were expected to follow it.
Hoyte said there was not a single reporter at the Nation who could say that any editor had given them directions on what political colour to give their story.
He said the final decision was always that of the presiding editor and not the reporter with whom the politician might have interacted.
Responding to concerns from former parliamentarian and retired trade unionist Evelyn Greaves about investigative journalism, Hoyte admitted that he was not happy with the level of investigative journalism.
He said that a lot of people were no longer socialised to ask questions, but to simply accept whatever was happening.
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 4:19 am |
FREEDOM OF SPEECH A MUST
Web Posted – Thu Apr 10 2003
IN accordance with what this country’s independence stands for, I Adrian as a Barbadian will fearlessly and freely state my opinion on local matters.
“The acceptance of the notion that I should not express myself freely or seriously on matters which concerns our local interest, or which affects the outcome of the society in which I live, would be a fundamental and shameful betrayal on the very nature upon which our independence was fought for, and should there be any doubt, please let me assert, that I belief that my opinion is of value because that opinion is not for hire nor for sale.”
I will not lose my self-respect in Barbados. There are many challenges that Barbadians will face that must be overcome effectively to prevent the misfortune of fellow Barbadians.
The most dangerous social disparity in Barbadian society is the unrelenting acceptance of the status quo, which holds that true social commentary and debate is best made for only a few select elites and that the rest of us are condemned to inferior unsatisfactory permanent status of being a burden incapable of instructive and informative dialog. There is a need for transparency, for public accountability of parliament for information to be made readily available to the public. The real and present danger to the marginalization of Parliament is the exploitation of fear and the threat of censor and libel. Freedom of speech gives persons the opportunity to play and important part in the governance of themselves. I will assert the right to full, true independent thinking and commentary because the philosophical and ideological forces which underpin national debate left by them selves will succeed only in ensuring and enforcing the denial of such a right across a wide cross section of the Barbadian society.
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This is an local adaptation to a speech Owen Arthur made in 2003, as a servant of the Barbadian people, I think as a Barbadian that i have these same rights.
william duguid // July 20, 2006 at 10:58 am |
This post is the Nation Column.
Jane Goddard // July 20, 2006 at 11:28 am |
Transparency International TI, National Integrity Systems Questionnaire, Caribbean Composite Study 2004 – see Barbados is on page 76
http://www.transparency.org/content/download/1640/8341/file/carib_compos_q.pdf
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 1:07 pm |
What post???? The lead article here? I suspect it is this weeks “Baresford Leon Padmore” friday column. It is still shamefull, condesending, elitist, and very very Anti-democratic. If this is the expectation of a 4th term BLP i will have to reconcider.
Hants // July 20, 2006 at 1:38 pm |
Adrian,
Excellent writing. Mia has created a firestorm. If she said something like this in Canada, she would probably have to resign.
I haven’t been this angry about anything in a long while.
I anxiously await the response from the Prime Minister.
Hants // July 20, 2006 at 1:46 pm |
William, your days may be numbered as a BLP.
I don’t believe you fit in.
If your Deputy PM is talking about censoring the masses, you will be expected to support her.
Your party claims to speak with one voice with none of the “in fighting” that is supposed to happen in the DLP Camp.
Isn’t your party theme “all uh we is one”?
Adrian // July 20, 2006 at 1:49 pm |
Hant she would have had to resign a long time ago, if she had brought something like the Burning of Glendairy to Canada.
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Ronald Jones i hear you, the people of Barbados hear you, we have lived it, and felt it for a much longer time. We have done something about, we are not turning back, we will not let anyone no matter how big they may be to deny or right to be heard, deny our right to free expression They have their Parliamentary immunity that they abuse with impunity, we have the Blogosphere that is above and beyond the reach of their petty anti-democratic prejudices to respond, to be heard, to make demands and bring to light the information, that is hoarded and kept away from us, we will get it one way or the other. No more begging no more pleading, we will tell all and let all, the world of free loving, free speech sociaties demands no less of us.
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Jones: Not easy being in opposition
Published on: 7/20/06.
by ALBERT BRANDFORD
OPPOSITION PARTIES in the Commonwealth Caribbean, including Barbados, may have to resort to “other methods” of being heard if they want to remain relevant.
This veiled warning was issued yesterday by Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) MP, Ronald Jones.
In a paper on Establishing A Framework For The Modern Parliament presented at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s 31st Regional Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region at Hilton Barbados, Jones spoke of a “crisis of confidence” among people on the effectiveness of parliaments.
He painted a bleak picture of opposition MPs’ views being discounted in parliaments, and the voices of others being significantly drowned out.
This was compounded, Jones charged, by the government extending its voice, reach and power beyond parliament into such areas as the state-controlled media, “the extensive control of persons in strategic positions in other media houses; governments’ utilisation of departments of communication and information; the positioning and repositioning of the governing party henchmen and hench-women in strategic decision-making positions; and the manipulation of state resources to their advantage, thus allowing for an even greater thunder of voice”.
“In this environment,” Jones said, “the voices of others are significantly drowned out. People then clamour for a greater voice from the parliamentary opposition without realising that the opposition can sometimes face insurmountable odds, particularly when it follows traditional methods of appealing to the people.
“Opposition parties may have to resort to other methods of being heard, if [they] want to remain relevant. Generally, the opposition clamours for equal participation in the system of governance, but this is hardly delivered with equity and fair play.
“The words and actions of the opposition party are twisted, there is unequal access to the media, [and] journalists in the pay of government or its supporters are able to create enough spin to persuade an undiscerning populace.”
He said democracy seemed to be under threat in such circumstances and warned that where there was no authentic or legitimate voice of the elected reaching back to the people, “then those persons in the wider community who voted for a parliamentarian become frustrated and look for expression elsewhere”.
albertbrandford@nationnews.com
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THIS IS THE REAL THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. NOT MIA MOTTLEY’S VERSION.
BLP Blog Endorses Censorship Of Blogs, Call-In Programmes « Barbados Free Press // December 2, 2006 at 5:33 pm |
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