BY
GLADSTONE THURSTON
PRESS
INTIMIDATION?
Prime
Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, in his address at the Bahamas Press Club’s awards
banquet, came across as rather presumptuous.
Here
is a man with less than zero experience in journalism telling experienced
journalists how to practice their profession.
It
is akin to me, having absolutely no knowledge of medicine, lecturing him, a
gynecologist, on how to perform a caesarean section.
When
I was given the mic, I was tempted to remind him that talking fool is a very serious
thing.
Members
of the press ought rightfully to have felt insulted by the Prime Minister’s
remarks.
In
effect, he told us we were failures at our profession, especially for not
supporting his pet projects, like his attempt to have citizenship bestowed
outside the provisions of the Constitution.
To
regurgitate the prime minister’s insane attempt at rank intimidation is to yuck
up my vexation. You could read it in mainstream.
Suffice
to say, the prime minister’s remarks only made what I had to say all the more
pertinent.
The
press is a pillar of strength for democracy in our Bahamas, I said.
At
no other time in our Bahamaland, post Independence is the role of the press
more crucial.
With
such a runaway victory at the polls by the FNM, and human nature being what it
is, it falls on the shoulders of the press to hold the government true to the
national cause.
During
the glory days of the Pindling administration, the FNM oftentimes reminded that
power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We
must ensure that that does not become a self-fulfilling prophecy for the FNM.
More
than just regurgitating press statements, we must go behind the scenes and
investigate from top to bottom without fear or favor, leaving no stone unturned
in pursuit of the truth.
We
cannot leave such vitally important processes to the much-discredited PLP,
which has been fated with the important role of the Official Opposition.
The
PLP, in its present state, is so utterly discredited, Bahamians do not have
sufficient confidence in them for them to properly be seen to be performing the
important role of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
This
could have been a golden opportunity for the DNA to prove its devotion to the
national cause.
Alas,
the couple of press statements I read coming from the DNA shows it to be merely
reactionary.
They
have taken the easy path most trodden – government bashing.
And,
since a strong Opposition is cornerstone to a transparent and productive
government, the press must see to it that advantage is not taken of the naïve
Bahamians who so overwhelmingly put their trust in the FNM.
We
must ask the hard questions and demand the right answers. Report with
neutrality and impartiality. Let the chips fall where they may. Investigate
from top to bottom and back. Take nobody’s word for it.
We
must be in a position to determine when the government moves from being a
solution to the problems facing the nation, to itself being a part of the
problem.
And
since the press is the watchdog of the nation’s affairs, Bahamians must
co-operate with the press. Report to them everything.
And,
my colleagues, I urge you: cultivate sobriety, and most of all be vigilant.
I
thank you.
 |
| Veteran Bahamian journalist Gladstone Thurston |
