On Tuesday, the media was invited to a press conference described as a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome update by the Ministry of Health. However, when we arrived, we found it was a meeting to discuss how we should cover the SARS illness and who we needed to contact.
For the most part, we do not have a problem with the Ministry encouraging responsibilty in our coverage. However, to be misinformed about what the press conference was about and to be told that information could only be obtained with authorisation from the Director of Public Health is another matter.
Every day the international media releases new information on SARS, and it has many individuals fearing how safe this country is from the disease. In fact, if it were not for media reports, the global health situation would probably be out of control by now.
But when the Bahamian media wants information on SARS, government officials are not easily accessible, so reporters are forced to access information from whomever is available.
If the Ministry wants the press to be responsible, we must have access to regular and accurate information.
This is not a communist country (like China), and the media are not all government owned. The Ministry needs to respect this and be more responsible in its own right to those who have the job of keeping the public informed.
Editorial, The Nassau Guardian
