He also attacked "foreign editors" working at The Tribune for what he deemed to be a lack of appreciation for Bahamian culture and history. He added that The Tribune approached the stroy more like a tabloid than a responsible newspaper.
Speaking on the 2003/2004 budget debate Mr. Wilchcombe said: "We do not attack the large numbers of foreigners who serve as editors at The Tribune, who for the most part have no understanding of our culture, no respect for the Bahamas and who care very little about the people.
"They would write stories in the newspapers about Bahamians. Why doesn't someone do a story about that? The number of foreign editors at a local newspaper, without using Bahamians.
They attack Bahamians who have done a great job and have made sacrifices for this country."
Mr. Wilchcombe pointed to a story which appeared in The Tribune's Saturday edition as a case in point.
The Tribune's story stated that staff at ZNS were furious after being told last week, by memo. that for the first time in the corporation's history they "may not be paid" their salaries this week Tuesday as the corporation had no money.
Subsequently it reportedly emerged that some staff were paid last Friday, some on Saturday and some on Sunday.
Mr. Wilchcombe said the general manager and the financial controller had attempted to communicate a simple message to the staff at ZNS that salaries might have been a little late, two days before the scheduled pay day. Pay day was Sunday, Mr. Wilchcombe noted.
He said the payment of salaries might have been a little late but there was no suggestion it wasn't going to happen.
Mr. Wichcombe said, "The paper that I look to, that I've always thought would have the higher standard, was The Tribune. Always did."
"But when we have individuals who I believe are editing are dictating the course, who don't even understand the culture of the people, the history, I think we end up with gossip tabloids."
Mr. Wilchcombe believes that the public has a right to know the background of the team of "foreign editors at The Tribune who are now disseminating information in our country."
"What gives them [foreign editors] the right to attack or malign or seek to smear the names of any Bahamian?" he asked. "They just don't have that right and I would fight against that."
Mr. Wilchcombe questioned how can these foreign editors create negative perceptions about "our people and not be corrected."
He said no reporter sought to get the full story at ZNS, its present state and what the chairman and the board have done since July of last year.
"No reporter attempted to do it," said Mr. Wilchcombe. "I read The Tribune, I read The Guardian, I read The Bahama Journal, none."
Source: The Tribune
