Little more than a month has passed since the election, yet already the PLP can’t help trying to fiddle with the media.
No sooner had the votes been counted than politicians began to involve themselves in the business of the media – offering opinions and advice on how the job should be done, emphasising the importance of the press to progress, and trying to “right the wrongs” they believe the profession suffers from locally.
The new Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald was the first out the gate, announcing he plans to meet with media houses “to get them to focus more on the positive things that are happening with children in education.”
Mr Fitzgerald said he will soon be calling journalists to explain “what we expect of the media.”
He was soon followed by former Minister of Health Dr Marcus Bethel, who re-emerged from political obscurity to warn of the “urgent need” for a “strengthened and vibrant Fourth Estate in our Beloved Bahamaland.”
In a private correspondence, another senior PLP claimed that without drastic changes to the press, the country will experience great difficulty moving forward.
The last time they were in power, PLPs displayed a similar enthusiasm for the inner workings of the media.
Shane Gibson did all he could to help former Tribune managing editor John Marquis into retirement, while Philip “Brave” Davis offered the useful suggestion that the media be punished for reporting in a manner the government regarded as biased.
Much as we in the profession appreciate the interest of these individuals, it must be noted that their political training has left them ill-equipped to comprehend the craft itself – which deals with a vastly different set of realities than those involved in vote-getting. This, in turn, has led to certain deficiencies in their advice.
As this is no fault of their own, I would here like offer them a few simple tips on the media by way of encouragement.
By PACO NUNEZ
Tribune News Editor
