In the aftermath of a short and intense political campaign which ended Tuesday, 15 January 2008, with victory for David Thompson and his Democratic Labour Party (DLP), we continue to worry about the perennial problem of an ineffective media in Barbados – read Barbados Free Press. The willingness of our media practitioners to sway and buckle to political and other pressures should be of concern to defenders of our democracy. It is not acceptable that as a country we should pride ourselves on a high standard of education, yet our media practitioners continue to demonstrate that they are devoid of any courage by demonstrating their spineless disposition. We have written extensively about the importance of the role of the Fourth of Estate – enter keywords ‘fourth estate’ in our search area on the top of the page.
The time has come for media houses in Barbados to stop failing the people and to awake from their slumber.
There is a saying that people get what they deserve – well, something like that anyway – and in very much the same way that we are able to send a clear message every five years to the political directorate, so too we need to send a message to the owners of the Fourth Estate in Barbados. The only way we can expect balance reporting from our media houses is to speak-out against the inequities when they occur, embarrass them with our public comment, let them suffer by our lack of financial support, let us write to stakeholders such as the unions, and to their important clients and international watchdog agencies to help agitate for justice. The actions we can take as civic minded Barbadians are limitless.
Recently we have learned that the Nation newspaper have increased their advertising rates effective 1 January 2008. This increase comes against the back drop that the Nation Publishing Company is a very profitable company with a healthy market penetration in Barbados. Why is it that we are allowing this newspaper to disrespect us in this way? They continue to renege on their role as an important member of the Realms of the Estates, yet as citizens we pay them for doing so. Their commitment to improve shareholder value is laudable. Why should we blame them if they practice the free market concept of charging what the market will bear. The Starcom Group of companies is quite boastful when they publish the results of their Systems Surveys. Starcom Network currently dominates the media market in Barbados and command unrivaled market share. They are currently lobbying to get a TV license.
Certainly our Fair Trading Commission would have something to say about this if they apply the 40% rule.
The Media Houses in Barbados don’t care about freedom of expression, they care about making money. Any noises which they make in this regard must be labeled as lip-service only. Let us remember that Starcom Network is a publicly traded company trading under the name One Media based out of Trinidad. They are currently pursuing an acquisition strategy which will ultimately see news dissemination in the Caribbean consolidated in the hands of a narrow interest. The much respected Harold Hoyte and Sir Fred Gollop should be called to account for selling out Bajan majority interest in Starcom Network to fatten their bank accounts. Who are they fooling by spouting the rhetoric that a pan-media company is a visionary strategy. Give us a break!
In the same way that Starcom Network publicly asked former Minister of Tourism, Barney Lynch, how he acquired his perceived wealth, we, the public, should ask people such as, Vic Fernandez at Starcom, Harold Hoyte, retired publisher at the Nation and others, how they acquired their wealth. (It was only a short time ago Vic was the anchor for CBC TV news.) We are not seeking to sully the reputations of anyone. We simply want to highlight that a few people in our media houses have benefited tremendously from the support of Barbadians over the years. It is time some of these ‘fat cats’ in the media start to give something back. We have still not forgiven the Nation newspaper for feeding the behaviour which ultimately led to the departure of Roy Morris from that company!
The media practitioners in Barbados should be ashamed that after benefiting from our rich education system they do not have the will or the common sense to appreciate the benefit of coming together. Why is it that the Barbados Association of Journalists (BAJ) has been dormant for so many years? We will warn the media houses in the same way that we warned the previous government. There is a desire for change which is starting to gather momentum in our country. The Barbados Labour Party underestimated the power of the people. We hope that the learned people of our Fourth Estate can take heed.
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Press Freedom Under Threat In Barbados
135 responses so far ↓
Concerned Bajan // January 18, 2008 at 1:46 AM
Wht the Nation pay for the chapo poll with no track recors? something smells nasty here.
Adrian Loveridge // January 18, 2008 at 5:37 AM
The Nation has clearly demonstrated that it does not have the interests of its readers at heart.
After the clear ruling by the Fair Trading Commission stating that it had received a list of ‘winners’ of the Barbados Lucky Numbers. Opera Interactive (Barbados) competition and that it had established that these ‘winners’ were bona-fide, absolutely NO list has been published.
This in spite of the Nation printing an announcement on 8th December 2007 that a list of all winners would be published ’soon’.
Professor Boxhill actually stated that both the Nation and Advocate had purchased the CHAPO poll results.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 6:56 AM
Good Morning Barbados,
Well, Greetings from your backwater cousin. I am reading, but not commenting. Have a nice day!
Bye
ASIS // January 18, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Anybody heard from clyde mascoll?
Is he eating crow this weekend, or having a bowl of won ton soup?
Poor soul.
Tell Mascoll D Red man was all over d office of Prime Minister at Bay Street yesterday.
He might be looking for a car washer ya never know.
DE BUMBLE BEE // January 18, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Wuhloss where my BLP colleagues on this blog gone ?
Wha’ after all I tek my licks like a human being !
Probably if wunnah did not get on so POWERFUL – FOOLISH the people woulda treat wunnah better !
But Such Stupid Comments , Jay , Resilient 99 and others just did not listen to me….. DE BUMBLE BEE !
Now the Bajan electorate mek we……REPENT !
The electorate left Owen wid all the ones he….RESENT !
EXAMPLE…….????
Hammie La !
Rommell Marshall !
Rawle Eastmond !
George Payne !
Mia Mottley !
EVE // January 18, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Getting back to the subject of this blog:
Media Houses in Barbados charged with dereliction of duty…………I could not agree with you more.
I put my money where my mouth is: I don’t watch television, I don’t buy either newspaper and the only time I have listened to the radio in the past year was when the earthquake happened and on election night.
People ask me how I can function so uninformed. (I have a high profile position). Very nicely thank you I tell them………I never want for news. I am more informed than they are because I seek the truth not propaganda or lies.
So first of all everyone who wants to see change in the media needs to stop feeding their own addiction and do what will really make the media houses hurt ………… withhold your financial support. You would be surprised what freedom you will experience without that steady diet of violence, immorality and lies.
Secondly, I have personally been a victim of their deriliction of duty. I cannot go into the details or my identity would be revealed and I simply can’t afford that. We may have a different Government but if change does come it will be many years in coming.
When I was interviewed on TV regarding an important issue concerning a certain Ministry in the public domain and the way in which peoples’ rights were ignored and if you will even trampled upon the interview lasted almost one hour. At the end of the interview the reporter informed me that the interview would have to be vetted by the PS. When the interview was aired, which in itself was a miracle it lasted all of 45 seconds. I am perfectly serious.
Onto the Nation, who called me on the story. I didn’t approach them…….. similar situation with facts skewed and a one-sided version published.
In both cases I had irrefutable written documentation, copious amounts of it, to substantiate my case, which were supplied in particular to the Nation who chose to totally disregard the evidence. To be honest, I don’t even know why they published the story other than to discredit me.
So my dear compatriots, if something is not done regarding the “Freedom of the Press” and the decided lack of it in this country then whether we have a new government or not means precious little because human nature being the way that it is, the same muzzling and black out will simply continue. Same horse, different colour.
We, the people must do something about it.
DE BUMBLE BEE // January 18, 2008 at 8:01 AM
ASIS // January 18, 2008 at 7:22 am
Anybody heard from clyde mascoll?
Is he eating crow this weekend, or having a bowl of won ton soup?
Poor soul.
Tell Mascoll D Red man was all over d office of Prime Minister at Bay Street yesterday.
He might be looking for a car washer ya never know.
**************************************
ASIS ,
I see on this BU site yuh boy Clydie begging fuh a pick !
Check out he posting below :
Clyde Mascoll // January 16, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I am using this medium to discuss this matter with PM David Thompson .
Dear PM Thompson,
Will you kindly take me back into the DLP fold to share your fatted calf ?
I put my economic training at you disposal.
With the experience I have gained over the past 2 years I will make a good Junior Minister of Finance in your Cabinet.
Your friend,
Clyde Mascoll
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Rubbish.
It is clear that you at BU, along with the likes of Adrian Loveridge and Patrick Gollop, are only interested in introducing five years of political victimization and personal vendettas against other people in Barbados.
It is easy enough to use the internet to hide and cast slanderous allegations against those who do not bow to your political demands and to cast aspersions against those who have worked hard to make their own money. Such is the way of evil-minded people such as you who seek to destroy our society while contributing nothing positive to it.
This DLP election victory has exposed the true vindictive nature of several narrow minds already. Never forget that YOUR own conduct is also constantly under observation.
DE BUMBLE BEE // January 18, 2008 at 8:03 AM
ASIS,
Clydie still begging !
Check out his post below :
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Clyde Mascoll // January 17, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Dear PM Thompson,
Were you able to consider my request above for a position in your new Cabinet ?
I can explain the true position about GEMS.
Waiting on your response.
Your friend,
Clyde Mascoll
DE BUMBLE BEE // January 18, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:02 am
Rubbish
***********************************
Nicole……a.k.a Jerome Walcott.
Go and tek a bush bath !
The people of Barbados have rightly rejected your Palaver , Lies & Deceit !
Thinking about our future years // January 18, 2008 at 8:11 AM
When Nation was owned by responsible Bajans it was one thing. Now the private sector has reached for and controlled it in their own selfish interests.
Facts have changed on the ground and a new contender must be found. Blog on.
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:15 AM
Eve,
YOU SAID: “When the interview was aired, which in itself was a miracle it lasted all of 45 seconds.”
You obviously know nothing about how the television news industry works, because anyone who watches TV news knows that TV stations produce news which have to fit into preset time slots, and they can’t possibly show all interviews in their entirety. Instead they broadcast choice cuts from each interview, but since your vanity and self-importance probably blinds you to such facts.
Get some education about real life and then you would not be so clueless about these things.
My own experience with the media came when the Nation did one of those company features in their newspaper with profiles of members of staff. When I read mine, although all the details were factually correct, it was presented in such a manner that it created what (to me) read like a profile of a completely different person, and most important of all I did not like the headline they used. It was then that I realised the power which the printed media has to influence readers, because people tend to accept and believe everything they see in black and white without question.
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:16 AM
DE BUMBLE BEE,
Get a brain and buzz off.
Bush tea // January 18, 2008 at 8:20 AM
David,
You are a great Barbadian and a visionary. This is an EXCELLENT article. Of course you have hit the nail directly on its head.
First of all, the media IS NOT BARBADIAN and only a fool would believe that the primary interest could therefore exactly coincide with Bajan norms, Bajan dreams and Bajan desires.
When these foreign interest come here and dominate ANY area, we have to be EXTREMELY careful to analyze if their interests can really properly align with ours.
Even Adrian Loveridge, who I respect and Like I DO NOT WANT APPOINTED AS ANY MINISTER bout here UNTIL he has fully paid his dues and become in our minds 100% BAJAN through and through. Chairman of a Board…yes… Minister/Senator NO!!
People like Harold Hoyte and Vic Fernandes are traitors to Barbados for selling out our national assets that had been entrusted to them to the highest foreign bidder. Just like the last PM sold us out with CSME in an effort to build a personal legacy.
It is the same with those white real estate companies that grab up all our properties and then price them out of Bajan pockets and into the hands of rich foreigners…all to become quick millionaires.
This nonsense has to stop. Otherwise we will end up with a few rich JOHNS but there will be NO MORE BARBADOS except in name only.
The solution to the Media issue is the creation of a new local news organisation, to be owned by a true Barbadian patriotic group (THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT COMES TO MIND), and for all true Bajans to transfer their patronage and business to those new local institutions…
This is so easy that it is quite funny…..
David // January 18, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Nicole
You said that you are a former journalist and therefore we are intrigue by your comment which expresses disapproval to how we are packaging our information. unfortunately you neglected to write with clarity of purpose and we have no idea what you exactly you are critiquing. Comeback to us with a little more exactness please!
We enjoyed Lowdown reading today. Rather to the point we think!
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Bush tea,
YOU SAID: “Even Adrian Loveridge, who I respect and Like I DO NOT WANT APPOINTED AS ANY MINISTER bout here UNTIL he has fully paid his dues and become in our minds 100% BAJAN through and through.”
YOU SAID: ““Just like the last PM sold us out with CSME in an effort to build a personal legacy.”
You are really fooling yourself. Better wake up to reality. The DLP is fully committed to CSME, and rightfully so in my opinion. Read their manifesto and see what they have to say about protecting the rights of the “foreign worker” and raising the legal limit on the amount of money they can send out of Barbados.
As for Loveridge, his personal vindictiveness alone makes him unfit to hold ministerial office in this country. No foreign white immigrant should EVER become minister of anything in Barbados government. The DLP would never be forgiven for such an act of betrayal. WE DO NOT WANT LOVERIDGE!
Anonymous // January 18, 2008 at 8:41 AM
BU I think Nicole was responding to a criticism to one of her comments over at BFP which is why you can’t follow. You would have to read it over by BFP.
Anonymous // January 18, 2008 at 8:45 AM
I find the accused guilty as well. especially since there are persons who expect so much from them. But I am too cynical to bother or be affected by the ‘angle.’
Adrian Loveridge // January 18, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Nicole..
A former journalist?
What happened, did your employers think you had lost your objectivity?
You accuse me of victimisation!
Was I the one sending death threats to me and my wife, or promising to burn down our hotel. Or was I the one that threaten to remove any Government advertising if my column wasn’t stopped.
Or did I refuse to sit in a radio studio with a Minister?
Hopefully you will be happier in your new job.
Straight talk // January 18, 2008 at 9:13 AM
As is your right, Nicole, speak your mind but remember you are speaking for yourself, in exactly the same way as Adrian L is.
The vindiction you percieve in him, may also be detected in your posts.
Your anger is probably caused by Adrian proving the old adage” the pen is mightier than the sword”.
His attackers by outrageous threats and intimidation lost the argument along with their credibility as time and again he reported irrefutable facts, to counter official Government statements.
With this now changed political landscape we need experienced professionals at the head of our vital institutions, not the time serving yardfowls as previously employed.
If not Adrian L, then properly paid high class managers with a proven track record would save the wasted millions of dollars for the benefit of all.
Not just for tourism, but Auditor General, Contractor General and a new independent department of compliance with the promised Integrity Transparency and Accountability legislation.
I, for one , am not interested in knowing the fine details of our elected MPs assets, but I am very interested that the legislation will be backed up by strong and fearless scrutiny and when this is in place we can all relax in the peace that will come from the removal of doubt in the management of our finances.
Nation Employee // January 18, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Someof us are very upset at some of the decisions down here now Vivian take over. Some ar very senior people too.
Bimbro // January 18, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Culled from BFP:
Bimbro
January 18, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Bush Tea, I’m sorry to say that, on this occasion, I think you’re talking rot! I dont’ suppose that ‘EVE’ is any more or less of a coward than most of us! Did u stand outside of the PM’s office, walk up & down the street with a placard, protesting?
I doubt, it very much. Even BFP, whose praises, incidentally, I came on here on this occasion to sing, have had to conceal their identity!
Let’s just be grateful that we’ve got rid of the rotten, government and hope for an improvement from the new incumbents – and we certainly, intend, to hold them to account!!!!
The reason I came on here, on this particular occasion, is that I’m still, partially, in a state of shock at something which I read in my local, (UK) version of The Nation. Some of u will, no doubt, be already aware of the story but I’ve just read it for the first time, properly, this morning i.e. that Dr Don Marshall’s life was threatened (four times) at some political meeting over the election period!!!!
I could n’t believe it, in Bim!!!!
That’s why I came on here to again, sing the BFP’s and the BU’s, praises because without them, we may never have known about these appalling, occurances – IN BIM!!!!
It seems that the blogs may very, well have saved us from a fate, almost, too horrid to imagine!!!!
So, allow me to say, here and now, on the behalf of all of us, A VERY HEARTY THANK YOU, BFP AND BU! Without you, I dread to think where we’d be, today!!!!
That being the case, allow me to reiterate, that in my view, and I’m sure many of you would agree with me, it would not be inapproprite, if at some point, a member(s) of the BFP and BU sought political, office in Bim, whether publicly or ‘unknown to us’, because what we need in Bim, are politicians who HAVE REGARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR PEOPLE, as well as, providing us with jobs and medical services, etc!
‘Go for it, guys’, and we’ll support you all the way!!!!
Tony Hall // January 18, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I will easily say “guilty as charged.” I have been following elections from since 1971 and whenever the BLP was in office there has always been the intimidation of the media. In fact there always seem to be a fear factor throughout the society. People were afraid to speak up especially if they didn’t support the BLP. Note carefully that since this recent election there is an air of relief in Barbados today especially among some media personnel.
Bush tea // January 18, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Nicole
Serious, where did you work as a ‘journalist’? how long did you last?
It is very difficult to follow your logic.
What does the possibility that the DLP will endorse CSME have to do with my position that the BLP did Barbados a disservice by wasting resources and disenfranchising Bajans in its interest over the past 10 years?
If DLP follow the same path I will also feel that way about them..
ASIS // January 18, 2008 at 9:53 AM
CLYDE! What is you email address so we can tell you how much we LOVE you.
DE BUMBLE BEE // January 18, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Nicole // January 18, 2008 at 8:16 am
DE BUMBLE BEE,
Get a brain and buzz off.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NICOLE,
It is you that need a brain…..
The BLP destroyed yours !
Look at what the INTELLIGENT people of Barbados did……read the story below :
You see why some DUMB…..BEES like you get treat so by the people ??
************************************
************************************
Wuhloss where my BLP colleagues on this blog gone ?
Wha’ after all I tek my licks like a human being !
Probably if wunnah did not get on so POWERFUL – FOOLISH the people woulda treat wunnah better !
But Such Stupid Comments , Jay , Resilient 99 , NICLOE….. and others just did not listen to me….. DE BUMBLE BEE !
Now that the Bajan electorate mek we……REPENT !
The electorate left Owen wid all the ones he….RESENT !
EXAMPLE…….????
Hammie La !
Rommell Marshall !
Rawle Eastmond !
George Payne !
Mia Mottley !
permres // January 18, 2008 at 9:55 AM
My apologies for not yet having read all of the posts above, but I would like to draw everyone’s attention to this post which I have found:
YUM YUM I like it! // September 14, 2007 at 2:11 pm
“Adrian Hinds
I agree entirely with your comment.
Online blogs such as BFP and BU do pose a threat to mainstream media.
I listened to ‘Down to Brass Tacks’ (with David Ellis) yesterday for the first time in ages. I had to force myself to listen all the way through – it was PAINFUL!!
Here are my main criticisms:
1) Ellis is arrogant and bullying
2) Ellis ALWAYS has to have the last word (cutting people off then continuing to speak)
3) Ellis never once mentioned the blogs (although he constantly hinted at them saying ‘certain writers…..’
4) Nearly every caller was incoherent and muddled
5) Discussion topics were poorly organised
Plainly, the radio call-in show is a dying format, if this pile of plop is anything to go by! Blogs are much more fun and are far more intelligently run – no patronising host who is in love with the sound of his own voice!
Long live BU and BFP!”
What is amazing me is that every time I browse here, I find something which resonates with my own views and feelings.
I have listened to Brass Tacks very occasionally for short spells, (usually lasts about two minutes) since I have lived in Barbados (11 years). The above post echoes my sentiments entirely.
I stopped buying the Nation about two years ago.
We only have Channel 8, so occasionally watch the news at 7.00pm.
I know many do not have access to the Internet, but I will promote BFP and BU with anyone I meet. So far, most I have spoken to say “That’s the underground press, it’s all lies, do not read it!” My God, the ignorance of some (most?) Barbadians. But I will talk with them (evangelize!!!?) to try to get them to become more infrmed of the true state of affairs.
Do we need to hand out cheap printouts?
Yardbroom // January 18, 2008 at 9:56 AM
In a recent post I paid tribute to BFP – rightly deserved – and did not mention Barbados Underground, that was remiss of me, and I do so now, you too have done a great service to Barbados.
It is my intention to take a back seat now – although I will always read the blogs – but I wanted to put that right before I do.
Thanks to all the friends I made along the way, and even those I did not agree with, thanks to you as well.
Regards
Yardbroom
Adrian Loveridge // January 18, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Straight talk..
Beautifully said!
Now I would believe YOU if you said you are or were a journalist!
I just think its so sad when people bring race into everything.
I really had no control over what colour I was born and I am trying to live with it in the best way possible.
David // January 18, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Did anyone notice the ‘headshot’ of Jewel Forde on the night of the election on CBC TV when she thought she might have been off-camera? She dropped her head as if in disgust when the results started to paint a sorry tale for the BLP. It is this surrender by the media which we talk about. The last time we checked, she was a senior staffer at CBC. We will not write why we think she expressed disgust but people who live in Barbados with ears close to the ground would grasp our drift on this one.
permres // January 18, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I saw Jewel Forde drop her head during the CBC election night presentation, but I thought it was because of one of the usual mess-ups by CBC during their live presentations. This time it was some breakdown in a link to an outside reporter, I thought.
Whatever the reason, my post here is about the pathetic CBC programme. The graphics were awful to non-existent, and most of the time all we had was what’s her name READING OUT (!!?) the results as they came in. I cheered the first few boxes, and within 15 minutes knew it was good for the DLP.
After that the only interest was to see the panel squirm (apart from the DLP man) as they tried to rescue their loyalties.
Undertaker // January 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM
BU,
you need to bring a charge against BFP as well, for during the elections they suppressed the views of many of their regulars, they refused to post their submissions, the submissions were not being as critical to the BLP as they wanted so they were not posted.
Others have made mention of that before and after elections, I thought only the rude and crude comments were being blocked, but I experienced it for myself, comments that were pro BLP and anti DLP were being blocked. I had about six of mine blocked. Some commentators have returned, but I choose not too, I have since gone and had a look but, I WILL NEVER POST AGAIN OVER THERE!!!!!!
BU, I don’t always agree with you over here but keep up the good work.
Until…………
Pimps, Pipsqueaks, Prosolytes // January 18, 2008 at 10:28 AM
The answer is simple. Stop buying the bleeping papers. I buy neither of the two publications. But I doubt that will ever happen with the meemy azz bajans who get diarreh if someone looks at them too hard. It does not even have to be forever. Simple organise to stop buying papers for 1 week…as a shot across the bow…I am sure that will not kill you weak knee bastards.
In fact I wonder how many of you BU and BFP readers have a todays nation sitting in your house as I type this … you bunch of mealy mouth bastards. YOU DESEVER WHAT YOU GET because you don’t have the balls or even believe anything you say here.
STOP BUYING THE DAMN SO AND SO PAPER AND PUT THE THUGS IN THEIR PLACE!!!!
Keltruth Corp. // January 18, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Some people have said that the blogs did not affect the election.
Bajans rely on the local newspapers, the local TV, and the blogs for their information.
Under the Arthur administration journalists critical of the government were fired or “disciplined”, effectively silencing all criticism from the media. It is unlikely that the same media that sang the praises of the Arthur administration would have been responsible for their defeat at the polls.
The only media critical of the popular Arthur regime were the blogs. Based on the facts, it is logical to assume that the blogs played a part in the downfall of a popular government in a time of economic prosperity.
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 11:01 AM
It can happened when people are sold on the perception that the news they are PAYING FOR is censured, and partisan.
No body buys dailys in Boston anymore. So they give them away or occasionally try to get .25 cents for them. The Sunday paper is the stable for many reasons a couple of which are, compilation of the weeks past events, breaking stories for the new week, loads of coupons and retail flyers etc.
Local content suffers when media is owned by outsiders : Bush tea has a point shared by others.
Jack Welch former CEO of GE is concidering buying the BostonGlobe from it’s parent company THE NEW YORK TIMES, for this same reason.
Forcing the hand of the Media to change:
No new approaches has to be adopted, we just need to have subcribers who are most likely also active voters to think of why they voted the way they did (change) and ask them their opinion on how they can bring about change in the Media. Enpower people to come up with the solution and you are likely to find that it will coincide with what we intend. People are more likely to act on something that they percieve to be their idea.
One of the big problems in Barbados is that everybody talks down to Barbadians and hardly anybody listens.
David // January 18, 2008 at 11:24 AM
The growth of any profession is built on how how the veterans are allowed to coach/mentor the rookies. It happens in sports and other facets of life. It even happens in the animal kingdom.
We look around the media and the dearth of veteran media practitioners makes the prospect of our suggestion seem a pipe dream. Who do we have that can muster to the likes of Gladstone Holder, Oliver Jackman, Clennel Wickham, Frank Pardo et al. Is it inconceivable that if our journalist attempt to break the stranglehold of censure which currently exist on press freedom in Barbados that the solution will be to transfer labour from other markets under the guise of CSME/|FTA?
We have been very critical of a David Ellis for example. When one considers that he is the only one willing to challenge, sometimes, the status quo at great personal sacrifice his colleagues should be ashame. We respect that he has elected to work within the system to agitate and not cross to some cushy private sector job.
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Keltruth we know that, and those who are saying the Blogs didn’t have an impact are the same ones who we can safely characterize as pragmatics. Defeat had to hit them smack in the face, for they to even consider that their time had run out. Even Ezra Alleyne who recognize the impact, preferred to characterize it as filth, and character assassinations of politico’s. But these are the people that ran a campaign on “Change” by presenting the same tired format of “going wid owen” Remember this often repeated statement, “that men will often times stumble upon the truth only to get up, brush themselves off and continue as if nothing had occurred.” This is what you are witnessing with this denial of the Blogs influence.
========================
On a different note but same refrain:
……For the BLP to think that Mia Mottley could ever be royal, or could ever be endeared to the Barbadian public to the point that they will ever consider a BLP team led by her further demonstrates the unbelievable delusional state they are in and the utter contempt they hold in their minds for the opinions of Barbadians. They really bought into their rhetoric that the people of Barbados did not like David Thompson in fact the truth was that they did not really know him as he is. What is more likely to be true is that as people get to know the real Mia Mottley they will see that the national and unofficial opinions of her are more likely to be true than false, and as a result the repulsion of her will be enlarged to the point that it will become clear that a BLP led by Mia Mottley will not be electable in Barbados. :D yes i am committed in a special way to see the likes of Mia Mottley never to become PM of Barbados, and will be starting a foundation committed to this singular cause. :D
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM
First of all I would like to express my sincere best wishes to BU for allowing me the space and the freedom of my expression on their site, that is so sadly lacking in the regular press.
I have lived long enough to see the impact that these blogs have had on the electorate of this island, when we hear Billie Miller and Ezra Alleyne (as per his article in today’s Nation) commenting about the fact they misunderstood the impact that these blogs had on the voters it does speak volumes.
Once again I would like to offer you my best wishes for the future and can assure you if the DEMS do anything silly I will be one of the first on these sites to be critical of them
so once again to you best wishes for a long and healthy future and good luck and health and happiness.
Georgie Porgie // January 18, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Adrian Hinds wrote
For the BLP to think that Mia Mottley could ever be royal, or could ever be endeared to the Barbadian public to the point that they will ever consider a BLP team led by her further demonstrates the unbelievable delusional state they are in and the utter contempt they hold in their minds for the opinions of Barbadians…………………….
What is more likely to be true is that as people get to know the real Mia Mottley they will see that the national and unofficial opinions of her are more likely to be true than false, and as a result the repulsion of her will be enlarged to the point that it will become clear that a BLP led by Mia Mottley will not be electable in Barbados.
==============================
Adrian there is probably much merit in what you say. This is borne out in the information provided by Gary Cole in the thread on Mottleyism. As children we grew up hearing of Mottley, and how he was revered as some one good and special. Now we are learning that he was the bastard child of a white man and a maid- like many others in our land. Then we learned of the way touted and otherwise crawled up in society. So to consider Mia is royal is bovine excrement, because she has no greater pedigree than the average Bajan. In fact hers is worse, since the average Bajan’s parents are not guilty of the things that Cole suggests is true of Mottley.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Thank you David always on the ball thanks.
John // January 18, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Adrian Hinds
If David Thompson does a halfway decent job and leaves the stamp of family on the office of PM for the first time ever then you do not have to worry. Our collective expectations will have risen.
No doubt Mia will still be around and make her contribution to her country as did Dame Billie but it is unlikely a single woman will fit the post of PM, good as she is supposed to be.
The most likely BLP PM out of the those left in parliament who could possibly meet those higher expectations of the electorate would then be William Duguid but it really depends on what David Thompson does whether the BLP hierarchy will even look at him.
His age and the fact that he is a family man will stand him in good stead. If he uses the time in opposition to really connect with his constituents and get the power to be his own man in Parliament from them, then he may very well be our next BLP PM.
People may laugh but he only needs to watch Dennis Kellman where independence of thought is concerned!! Perhaps he should adopt him as his mentor in his time in the wilderness.
Ronald Toppin showed signs of independence of thought but then went silent which is strange because I knew him at school to be very vocal and have an opinion on any topic. Just shows what politics can do to you.
Some of the others I doubt will make it next time around but funnier things have happened. Glyne Clarke, Dale Marshall and George Payne will be under pressure unless the new Government really fails to deliver or unless they take a walking trip to Damascus and see a bright light.
Rawle Eastmond, Cynthia Forde and Hammie-La don’t spring to mind as future PM’s, but who knows.
…… of course we could get back a rebranded Owen!!
Hopefully by then they will lose the “Now more than ever” rubbish. Suppose some of us could tolerate the “… tried and tested” bit.
The BLP’s future will depend on the DLP and its MPs handling of themselves and our country.
We will be watching them!!
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:08 PM
I must admit that i have not read much of Gary’s contribution. I am afraid that i have fallen victim to being to busy to spend the quality time to read his very long contributions, in fact being busy does interfere with my ability to post on these blogs as often and as carefully as i would like too. Anyway if Gary alluded to the things you have mentioned then i will have to find the time to read his opinions.
…..On Mia: I am inclined to viewed the election outcome as a repudiation for what Mia stands for. Now i am only willing to temper this view if it becomes known that it was her idea to go with the strategy that the BLP undertook. Going wid Owen had lost it’s shine after the 1999 election. So if Mia is the brainchild of this approach for election 2008, i am willing to give some creditability to the view that she had to have some insight to the possibility of this election outcome, hoping to benefit from it later on. However I kind of discount this, because Mia went overboard in “Bigging up” Owen and bigging up herself as well, she by her platform actions presented herself as “co-leader”, and therefore i see the results as an indictment on both, one more so than the other but nevertheless it was bad for both. I think i can safely say that the repudiation of Mia as potential leader of the BLP, and as a result a potential Prime Minister of Barbados is demonstrated by contrasting her political rhetoric with the outcome of the election,
…..at her nomination, where the format featured all the BLP St.Michael candidates EXCEPT JOE ATHERLY, and this was done for two reason one she spoke about (canvassing st.Michael as one) and the other was left to your imagination and is likely to have shown Mia as the Leader of the BLP st.Michael team, a set of constituencies that a party must win in order to carry the election. If you contrast all the talk she would have spewed then with the result in All of St.Michael, can i not then declare that St.Michael rejected her? and that if it is true that the party, which does not win the majority of seats in St,Michael cannot win the government So too it must be, that the Mia Royal persona not winning St.Michael as leader of the BLP St.Michael team cannot win Barbados as leader of the BLP Barbados team.
……Winning on this false premise of leadership: she will now have to contend with Thompson, Sinkcler, and Sealy, who will out match her in favour-ability in the people’s eye. Will she have the energy and strength to battle these much “healthier” persons? Sinkcler to my mind in Independence Square sound the warning bell that he will link all the publicly perceived opinions of Mia to her. I cannot at this time see a path to the Prime Minister-ship for her and of her own making.
Prime Minister's first stumble? // January 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM
It has just been announced that Prime Minister David Thompson’s address to the nation which was planned for tonight has been canceled.
Is this the first failure?
Is he stumbling already?
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:12 PM
ha ha ha ha ha Gary i take that back, i just realize that my post are equally as long as yours. :D forgive me sir :D
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Prime Minister’s first stumble? // January 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm
It has just been announced that Prime Minister David Thompson’s address to the nation which was planned for tonight has been canceled.
Is this the first failure?
Is he stumbling already?
=============================
ha ha ha ha somebody like them in rush to get in office. So you know the next election is due for another 5 years 2013, buckle up for the ride. :D
BTW way how many times the referendum on Republicanism was on and off again? must i compare an address to the people too a change to our consitution? However it doesn’t look good though.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 1:20 PM
I am not certain that Vic Fernandes and the Starcom group are worthy of a TV license, certainly not on recent performance.
They are other players with offerings that may be better suited to filling this void.
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:53 PM
To these persons who have a problem with Adrian Loverage being a white and foreign born minister of government, what are your views on Peter Morgan, Aaron Trust, and Phillip Goddard?
frankology // January 18, 2008 at 1:53 PM
I am not certain that Vic Fernandes and the Starcom group are worthy of a TV license
…………………………………………………………………….
Wrong statement for a party that just won the election. The majority of partisan writers prior to the election were lobbying for another TV station, and how the Starcom Group should be given a license….NOW, we seeing the same behaviour manifesting in public by a prominent representative of the ruling party.
Watch your statements my friends, it might haunt you sooner than later.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I am not certain that Vic Fernandes and the Starcom group are worthy of a TV license, certainly not on recent performance.
They are other players with offerings that may be better suited to filling this void.
*******************
So you want to have a new DLP-controlled TV station?
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 2:25 PM
#
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:53 pm
To these persons who have a problem with Adrian Loverage being a white and foreign born minister of government, what are your views on Peter Morgan, Aaron Trust, and Phillip Goddard?
***************************
Adrian Hinds,
Philip Goddard is a white BAJAN.
I don’t know what Aaron Truss is, except that he was part of a former BLP government.
I don’t know anything about Peter Morgan except that he was (he’s dead I think) white.
What will happen when Barbados appoints the first black Guyanese or Indian Guyanese as a minister? Have we ever had one? I know that BU would be kicking up bad about that!
GoWEB Blog » Web Roundup (Jan 13th - 18th 2008) // January 18, 2008 at 2:30 PM
[...] BLOG ROUNDUP Charge Sheet Against Barbados Media Houses [...]
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Wishing in Vain,
When I said “So you want to have a new DLP-controlled TV station?” what I really meant was…
Do you want a new state-controlled propaganda machine? Given the brazen falsehoods and OUTRIGHT LIES which I heard from Patrick Gollop on VOB yesterday, Barbados would be headed for dictatorship if people like him ever get control of the media in Barbados.
PiedPiper // January 18, 2008 at 2:54 PM
It is astounding to me that an expert in the field of Tourism, so much so, that he has put the elected Minister of Tourism to shame with his lack of knowledge, could be dismissed based on the colour of his skin. Adrian Loveridge has the business savvy and in-depth understanding of the future of tourism that would only be an asset to a country that, like it or not, survives on Tourism.
Mr. Loveridge has demonstrated his love for and concern for his adopted country time and time again. I do not, for one minute, doubt his sincerity and integrity, qualities that have been sadly lacking in those appointed to guard the countries best interests.
Bajans need to get with the way the world is going via globalization. They need to get away from this “its us against them” attitude and give credit where credit is due, regardless of colour.
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 2:25 pm
#
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 1:53 pm
To these persons who have a problem with Adrian Loverage being a white and foreign born minister of government, what are your views on Peter Morgan, Aaron Trust, and Phillip Goddard?
***************************
Adrian Hinds,
Philip Goddard is a white BAJAN.
I don’t know what Aaron Truss is, except that he was part of a former BLP government.
I don’t know anything about Peter Morgan except that he was (he’s dead I think) white.
What will happen when Barbados appoints the first black Guyanese or Indian Guyanese as a minister? Have we ever had one? I know that BU would be kicking up bad about that!
==============================
ha ha ha h Magnum how convenient. Ok I separated out Mr. Loverage being white and being foreign born, in attempt to deal with some who focus exclusively on either his skin colour or his nationality. The cast of names i listed covers these two situations, and dear i to say it also covers your question on Guyanese. Aaron Truss a former Minister of “FIRES” :D in a BLP government was born in Guyana. What happened then? nothing to shout about other than he (Aaron Truss) was as corrupt as his Bajan counterparts. :D
…..The argument by these BLP hacks against Mr. Loverage are not bourne out by any altruistic concerns about immigration etc. This purely political, they cannot deal with the biting facts that the man brings to bare on a subject (tourism) that even they will privately admit that man lives and breaths. But have no fear the unsubstantiate attacks on Mr. Loverage will cease at some point either due to being outed as the cloak government secrecy will be remove from their operation, or as result of being remove from the public trough thereby being unable to pay for their computer hire purchase agreement and the monthy connection to the internet. As Mia would say “cause in a real sense” high prices will soon start to affect them like the rest of us. :D
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:01 PM
PiedPiper,
What nonsense are you talking about? Adrian Loveridge is a master of deception. He can fool you people easily just by presenting figures which he has lifted from other places… figures prepared by ordinary black Bajans.
Barbados should be well past the stage where white skin and a foreign nationality are automatic door-openers. I am certain that there and many Bajans, both black and white, who are much more knowledgeable about tourism in Barbados than your beloved Adrian Loveridge. No foreign white immigrant should be imposed on us.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:01 PM
They are many others out there with the desire and resources to operate a TV station and I stick by my comments that I am not sure that I would be rushing to issue Vic Fernandes a TV license.
Magnum do not attempt to put words in my mouth you need to read what I wrote and take it as I stated it not apply your wishes to my comment.
David // January 18, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Why do we continue to focus on who should get a license when the more important issue is the need to have quality freedom of information legislation supported by a rigorous framework for enforcement. We are not sure that by increasing the players in the game it will solve the problem of a cowardly set of media practitioners and media houses which yield to pressure from politicians or influence from sponsors.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Adrian Hinds,
Your response makes no sense. None of it.
If you ever take the time to READ what Adrian Loveridge actually posts on these blogs, it has been all vindictiveness and personal vendetta against one black man called Noel Lynch.
PiedPiper // January 18, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Magnum:
Since when has being white and foreign born been an automatic door opener to a political appointment or a government job in Barbados???
Please name a few white people that you know off who are white non-nationals who hold government positions.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Wishing in Vain,
YOU SAID: “I stick by my comments that I am not sure that I would be rushing to issue Vic Fernandes a TV license.”
Of course you wouldn’t, because Vic Fernandes would not be willing to be muzzled in exchange for running a state-controlled propaganda machine.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:13 PM
PiedPiper,
That’s why we must NEVER allow it to start with Adrian Loveridge.
Errol Barrow did not win independence for this country in order for it to be handed back to white foreigners in 2008 on Errol Barrow Day.
Loopy // January 18, 2008 at 3:13 PM
What I believe WIV meant is that Vic & Co. with a TV license would be the worst thing for Barbados based on their lapdog stewardship of the 4th estate.
Right now Barbados does not need a lapdog for Bee or Dem. Barbados needs an independent news source that cannot become beholden to the flavor of the day.
Starcom and Vic has shown that they lack testicular fortitude to provide robust stewardship of the 4th estate, and in many persons view this disqualifies them from that TV License. Think for a min what havoc they could bring down on us in their lap dog mode.
I would not want to risk that for me or my children.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:13 PM
I think you missed the point magnum here, the attacks on Noeless Blarney Lynch are not the sole domain of Mr Loveridge these are not reserved for him but due to Lynch’s mismanagement of his FORMER Ministry he has been under attack from many others and just not fromMr Loveridge, I have seen him under the hammer from alland sundry for his inept handling of the Ministry of Tourism as he should be because he was the most ineffective member ever to hold a Ministry.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Well said LOOPY, My belief is that any license to be issued should be given on the basis of complete freedom of expression and freedom of rights, and let us not see these stations as lapdogs of a ruling party.
It was indeed a sad display of what not to do in the media, during the last adminstration.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:23 PM
I really thought we had grown past this race issue nonsense.
As a citizen of Barbados be that person Green, Blue, Red, White Brown, Black, or Yellow they are free to partake in the process of goverance and to make comments as they see fit, the common factor is what that ID card says!!
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:32 PM
David,
YOU SAID: “Magnum please understand that while we don’t subscribe to censoring anyone we will not allow you to drag a serious topic down by replaying these race card red herring arguments.
That’s quite OK. I already understand that these blogs are bought and paid for by the same Adrian Loveridge, so you would have to rush to defend him and sing his praises just like any other propaganda mouthpiece in a state-controlled dictatorship. You would know better than your readers which side your bread is buttered on… we only see when you delete posts which are critical of the DLP.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Is this the malice comes when your party is thrown out office by the citizens for freedom?
And you have the gall to state -: propaganda mouthpiece in a state-controlled dictatorship.
You must really be mega idiot indeed, the only dictatorship that we had to fear were you and your party of thugs, the people of Barbados saw after you and your ilk on Tuesday,take a much required rest and spare us your nonsense on these sites.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 3:43 PM
So this begs the question of what would it take for Adrian Loveridge to become a 100% Barbadian through and through. Is this the same iconic Adrian Loveridge that only last week you all were touting as Minister of Tourism and now he has to prove that he is 100% Bajan. Listen Adrian, you need to come over to Guyana and open up a Peace and Enviroment Hotel in the pristine rain forest in the world most beautiful country.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Very well said David.
Adrian Loveridge // January 18, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Magnum…
Errol Barrow had the vision to appoint Peter Morgan as Minister of Tourism, another white hotelier at that time.
I was privileged to be at Mr Morgan’s church burial service where in a wonderful eulogy, Sir Frederick Smith described him as the best tourism minister ever.
I don’t think there was a person attending the service that did not applaud this statement including members of the then ruling party.
I will always remember the look on Johnathan (his son’s) face and the immense pride.
Peter Morgan didn’t adopt Barbados to steal your land and neither did my wife and I.
We ‘found’ what was then a derelict Arawak Inn and have transformed it to one of the highest rated small hotels in the Caribbean, largely due to our small BARBADIAN staff.
Tens of thousands of Barbadians have made their home in my country of birth, or in Canada, the United States and across the world.
Did they move to those countries to steal the land from the true natives?
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Oh goodness, I didn’t know you had to payfor these blogs, and that Adrian Loveridge pays for them. Adrian I love the English and I was happy when Guyana was a British colony. They have made a mess of things in the former colony and in fact Guyanese are always saying bring back the English. We love Prince Charles, and he owns a cocoa plantation in North Guyana and the cocoa from this plantation is used in the making of his Dutchy Chocolates. Thanks for paying for this blog. You are an honourary Guyanese you know. Bye
Adrian Loveridge // January 18, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Sister Baby…
I have been fortunate enough to visit Guyana on a number of occasions and wholeheartedly agree with you about its beauty.
I believe will make huge strides in eco-tourism within the coming years.
The touble is about starting up a hotel in Guyana is that someone might accuse me of stealing your land!
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Yes, and 2000 Barbadians live in my country and 3000 English people, in fact 42.000 foreigners in Guyana. That is 30, 000 illegal Brazilians, and then followed by Surinamese, and then Bristish subjects. The best sports bar in all Guyana is owned by an English Guyanese. and his lovely wife has a fabulous cooking show on NCN TV Guyana. Adrian the Cara Hotels in Guyana are owned by English Guyanese. These are the best hotel in the Caribbean after yours of course. I say you should be the Minister of Tourism, and I am sending an E-Mail to President Jagdeo of Guyana regarding you and your good workd in Barbados,a dn asking that they seek your services for tourism in Guyana
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 4:03 PM
To those that beg mercy for Noeless Blarney Lynch, if the public thought he did such a wonderful job why then did they throw him out on his as_?
So too the like of the other 20 misfits that could not get the attention of the citizens of this island, they were dismissed from office for corruption, dishonesty in office and gross arrogance to the people that paid their salaries.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Adrian Loveridge,
Don’t try to change my words, you foreign white fraud, because I have never said a word about land.
It is POWA (power) that you are longing for, not mere land.
You are well entitled to run your hotel here in Barbados, but if you want “powa”, you can go back to Liverpool or wherever the hell you come from and campaign to seek office in the House of Commons.
In Errol Barrow’s day we were newly independent and now trying to find our way on the world stage. Today we have young educated Barbadians who need positive role models as we take full control of our own destiny and our own future. The same way that the BLP could appoint Noel Lynch, the present government should find suitably qualified BARBADIANS to represent this country at the ministerial level.
NO FOREIGN WHITES WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS COUNTRY!
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Adrian Hinds,
Your response makes no sense. None of it.
If you ever take the time to READ what Adrian Loveridge actually posts on these blogs, it has been all vindictiveness and personal vendetta against one black man called Noel Lynch.
==============================
I think you are confusing Adrian Loverage with Adrian Hinds. Where is the proof of this vindictiveness by Adrian Loverage? I hope you are not now believing your own emotional lies, such would fly here, you are going to have too present some proof.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Adrian, No, the land is yours, you came there before them. Contact Mr. Burgess at the Windies Sports Bar, he was the former head of Courts Guyana Ltd. or you can contact the fellas that own Cara Hotels. The Cara people have taken the old Lord Mayor of Georgetown mansion and turned it into a fabulous bed and breakfast. The Le Meridian Hotel is also for sale. It is a cash cow in GT. Adrian, you can come and buy land in Guyana and no one will ever say that you are taking Guyanese land, why they are selling it off cheaply to any and all sorts, muchless you. Have a nice day, and I am so happy you came to Guyana. We have made great strides you know in recent years. You should see the Caricom HQ and the new Convention Centre, Marriott is building a hotel next to the Le Meridian Guyana Hotel, and so on. Well thanks again. Bye
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 4:07 PM
You are a sad excuse of a person magnum,
Why then was ARSON TRASH sorry Aron Truss given a ministry to run under your administration?
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Sister Baby,
My dear Guyanese sister, I would be very glad if you would take him!
If his passport is good he might be lucky enough to get a flight to Timehri airport tonight self!
He could take the whole hotel with him too, I wouldn’t mind.
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Magnum don’t be so obviously ignorant. A wordpress blog is free for anyone to open. :D
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:11 PM
A great role model is Gary Cole. I love Gary’s writings and his heroes. Gary have you met Grace Lee Boggs? She is still alive, lives in Detroit, and still goes around the USA speaking at 93 years of age. Jimmy her dear husband died in 1993.
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 4:15 PM
magnum Are you going to spend the next 5 years living your life in hatred and anger?
Grow up please, and put a halt to your hatered of colour chatter it is not becoming of you or anyone.
You did your period of damage and you had your period of control and you lost your way and were thrown out of office, get used to spending the next 5 years on the opposition benches, and reflect on what you cast on this society, after which you may learn that the will of the people is more important that the need to fill your bank account.
Georgie Porgie // January 18, 2008 at 4:16 PM
I have never met Mr Loveridge, but my buddy the late Dr Hudson spoke well of him.
Mr Morgan who used to own the then St Lawrence Hotel, Colin Hudson and Captain MB Hutt who taught at HC, were all Englishmen I knew who loved Barbados with as great a passion as any of us Bajans– and perhaps with more passion than some of us Bajans.
As a boy, I would often meet Captain Hutt strolling about in the swamp, and when in class he spoke about Pie Corner & Pico Teneriffe he made them sound like heaven (remember cars were not that prevalent then so you didnt get to see those places then except on a church excursion.)
I spent many hours with Colin on the Stop and Stare walks in the early nineties, and learned more about our lands and culture and past from him on the talks on those walks. Things I never read in the papers or learned in school.
All this talk about white expatriates from England is bovine excrement and should stop!
Anonymous // January 18, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Do the bloggers know that B’dos raves about 98 % literacy? Oh boy, one could not tell from reading some of these comments.
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Adrian Hinds,
YOU SAID: “I think you are confusing Adrian Loverage with Adrian Hinds.”
Let me tell you that there is no confusion from my end between Adrian Hinds and Adrian Loveridge.
I know my DLP yardfowls very well… one is black and one is white.
One flew out of Barbados to settle abroad, and one flew in from the UK to settle here… in the same Barbados which they both love to denigrate.
Origin, colour, circumstances and geographical location may vary, but birds of a feather STILL flock together.
Tek dah!
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Magnum my dear, Adrain L. does not need a passport to enter Guyana, just some ID that says he is an English subject. All he has to do is get to BGI Airport before 4:30 PM and step on board Caribbean Airlines BW 483 for the flight to Timehri. LIAT has a flight coming tonight also. Welcome to Guyana/Bienvenue au Guyane
Georgie Porgie // January 18, 2008 at 4:23 PM
On the issue of mistreaing foreigners, I can tell you how it feels and how it hurts.
In 2002 I went to one of the neighbouring islands to teach at one of the bogus offshore medical schools. Being a born again believer, I sought out a church at which to worship in my denomination.
I discovered that they wanted to establish a Bible Institute, and having just finished my MRE and DMIn online I offered to help. I spent a lot of free time preaching at the local churches just having a lot of fun.
I didnt know that I was the source of emvy of one man who desired to have the preeminence. I was having not fun, and being me. However, this man had the power to grant me a work permit, and he did not. Because I was a foreigner, he could get rid of me, and take bread from my mouth.
It is not fair to mistreat folk because they are foreigners. It hurts friends! Very much!
frankology // January 18, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Do the bloggers know that B’dos raves about 98 % literacy? Oh boy, one could not tell from reading some of these comments.
……………………………………………………………………..
Your comment shows that we do have a 98% literacy. Thanks for not discrediting Barbados.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Would you all like to see night life in Guyana. Please kindly go to http://www.guyanalive.com and see the lovely pictures of Guyanese of all races and creeds celebrating life in the world’s most beautiful country and Englsnd’s only colony on mainland South America. Bye
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Georgie Porgie,
Captain Maurice B. Hutt was a white Englishman who did indeed make a great contribution to Barbados. I would sing his praises till the end of my days, for (unlike Adrian Loveridge) he was a GENUINE person. He never spent his days engaged in filthy envious vendettas and personal grudges against black people who were fortunate to rise up to positions of power in government, neither did he ever try to exploit poor black Bajan farmers for cheap political publicity. Captain Maurice B. Hutt was a TRUE GENTLEMAN. Captain Hutt of yesterday nurtured bright young black minds, whereas Adrian Loveridge of today is an egotistic maniac consumed with hatred and delusions of superiority.
I suppose that after all these years he is probably dead now. I know that he used to live here in Barbados with his wife, and that he used to write nature columns in the newspapers from time to time. Do you know what became of him and his wife? Did he leave any family behind here in Barbados? I once looked through the local phone book but found no-one listed in it with the surname Hutt.
frankology // January 18, 2008 at 4:31 PM
If commenters can respond to articles in seconds, that shows the intelligence of our people.
Carson C. Cadogan // January 18, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Let me take this opportunity on the behalf of my wife, my children and myself to offer a BIG THANK YOU to the BARBADOS UNDERGROUND and the BARBADOS FREE PRESS for having the courage, tenacity and the will to bring to the Barbadian public articles and comments of immense value. Both blogs have been shining lights in a sea of Barbadian Journalistic darkness.
Without the operation of both blogs there is no doubt in our minds that we would have been saddled once again with Owen Arthur and his bunch of crooks.
The air is now fresh and clean thanks once again to the BARBADOS UNDERGROUND and the BARBADOS FREE PRESS.
We hang our heads in shame when we think of the Nation Newspaper, The Advocate, Starcom network, and last but by no means least CBC. They have demostrated time and again their willingness to be on the cutting edge of condoning a tsunami of Barbados Labour Party corruption in all its forms. They disgrace the name News Media. Something will have to be done.
Tony Thompson of CBC and Carrol Roberts of the NCF will have to be removed, of this I am certain. They have disgraced two disgraceful organisations.
I am looking forward egerly to the implimentation of Integrety Legislation in the first 100 days of this new administration. Under the BLP we witnessed corruption on a scale never before seen in modern Barbados and this must never happen again. I am looking forward egerly to the implimentation of a Managed Immigration Policy in the first 100 days of this new administration. This deluge of Guyanese into Barbados must be brought under control. For the sake of our children and our Grand Children.
There is much more that I can say but I will cut it short for now.
Best Regards
Carson C. Cadogan
Eagle Hall
St. Michael
Barbados
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:36 PM
I don’t see anything wrong with the writing style. All grade A for me, however, I do like Gary Cole’s writing style, in that when I read his writings it is as if he is right here with me carrying on a conversation. Gary Cole is a deep thinker, and a gentle soul, now Adrian Hinds, well I still think he is Guyanese, but that is a whole different story.
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Georgie Porgie,
Captain Maurice B. Hutt was a white Englishman who did indeed make a great contribution to Barbados. I would sing his praises till the end of my days, for (unlike Adrian Loveridge) he was a GENUINE person. He never spent his days engaged in filthy envious vendettas and personal grudges against black people who were fortunate to rise up to positions of power in government, neither did he ever try to exploit poor black Bajan farmers for cheap political publicity. Captain Maurice B. Hutt was a TRUE GENTLEMAN. Captain Hutt of yesterday nurtured bright young black minds, whereas Adrian Loveridge of today is an egotistic maniac consumed with hatred and delusions of superiority.
I suppose that after all these years he is probably dead now. I know that he used to live here in Barbados with his wife, and that he used to write nature columns in the newspapers from time to time. Do you know what became of him and his wife? Did he leave any family behind here in Barbados? I once looked through the local phone book but found no-one listed in it with the surname Hutt.
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Sister Baby,
“Magnum my dear, Adrain L. does not need a passport to enter Guyana, just some ID that says he is an English subject. All he has to do is get to BGI Airport before 4:30 PM and step on board Caribbean Airlines BW 483 for the flight to Timehri. LIAT has a flight coming tonight also.
Well, he would have just missed the 4:30 flight, but there’s always tonight.
As I indicated earlier, BU is now trying to block me from posting, hence the change of name and IP address. Blocking people who challenge or disagree with Adrian Loveridge (the great white massa) is common practice on both BU and BFP.
Planter // January 18, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Tourism Minister??? Whomever came up with that idea for Adrian has really missed the whole point of his blog. I see Adrian as the Ralph Nadar of Barbados, though it wasn’t consumerism that fueled him initially but politics. After what has happened with the Arthur administration — stifling of the press, reducing natives to the status of squatters in their own country, economic suffering for the majority and list goes on and on. This era will usher in a new type of activism in Barbados, and people like Adrian Loveridge will be at the forefront in fighting for justice for the masses. I think Adrian can take his blog a step further to help with the enactment of laws, political oversight and things of that nature. He will be a dynamic political watchdog. Kudos to you Adrian!
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Mr. Cadogan, Please, may I kindly remind you that those Guyanese that are presently in Barbados are in fact the decendants of Barbadians who came here in the early days to seek their fortune. Yes, in the old days many Bajans came here to work and started families, and now these decendants of the early Bajans feel it’s their right to come home to Barbados. This is true, because the real Guyanese prefer to go to England, Trinidad, Suriname or the USA, and not Barbados. So please stop the rhetoric about protecting your children from Guyanese.
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm
“You did your period of damage and you had your period of control and you lost your way and were thrown out of office”
Are you some sort of mental nutcase? You are obviously suffering from delusions of some sort. Do you have high blood pressure?
Adrian Hinds // January 18, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Magnum // January 18, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Adrian Hinds,
YOU SAID: “I think you are confusing Adrian Loverage with Adrian Hinds.”
Let me tell you that there is no confusion from my end between Adrian Hinds and Adrian Loveridge.
I know my DLP yardfowls very well… one is black and one is white.
One flew out of Barbados to settle abroad, and one flew in from the UK to settle here… in the same Barbados which they both love to denigrate.
Origin, colour, circumstances and geographical location may vary, but birds of a feather STILL flock together.
Tek dah!
==============================
ha ha ha ha h aha so when i return to Barbados and i form an alliance with Adrian L, kind of like “co-leaders” in the ministry of government watchdog :D what will you accuse me off? I am black and a born Bajan. Then again we know the BLP’s opinions of am wuh duh does call we now? Returning Nationals. :D
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Sister Baby,
YOU SAID: “Mr. Cadogan, Please, may I kindly remind you that those Guyanese that are presently in Barbados are in fact the decendants of Barbadians who came here in the early days to seek their fortune.”
This is NOT true. Many black Guyanese have black Barbadian foreparents, but not the East Indian ones.
YOU SAID: “real Guyanese”
What is a real Guyanese? A black one? An East Indian one? An Amerindian one? A Chinese one? A brownish Portuguese one? A whitish European one?
I think you need to learn your own country’s history, because I as a Bajan seem to know more than you in some regards!
Keltruth Corp. // January 18, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Did I get that right? Did Ezra Alleyne write:
“The other matter is the anonymous peddling of smear and innuendo and sometimes downright lies aimed at politicians on the Internet blogs…. …. in which he or she has no recourse to the law courts.”
and “That is a virulent threat to democracy”
Ezra:
1. Please identify what is not factual. I am sure we all are eager to know.
2. Anybody, anywhere can comment on a post or complain. Anybody, anywhere in the free world can be sued for libel.
3. Not having a free press is documented as a great threat to democracy.
If you made these statements, you have “smeared” a branch of the media, and I politely ask you to explain yourself.
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Adrian Hinds,
Returning nationals are Bajans.
Even when they are deported and sent back to Barbados.
In the case of Adrian Loveridge, there are probably still certain conditions under which he could be stripped of Bajan citizenship and deported OUT of Barbados.
Hmmm… just writing it makes my heart spring with delight! What a sweet thought.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Adrain, Do you know that Michael Caine is married to Shakira Baksh a former Miss Guyana and Miss World runner up. And Lord Wahid Ali, member of the House of Lords and one of the richest men in England is Guyanese, and of course Baroness Valerie Amos, the former Bristish Secretary for Foreign Affairs., and C.M. Rubin the white Guyanese author of children’s book now residing in New York City. And how can we forget Aunty Olga Lopes Seale who lived so many years in Barbados–a geat Guyanese woman who so wonderfully contributed to the cultural life of Barbados.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Magnum, I gather the Guyanese problem in Barbados is an East Indian one. I sort of sensed it, but I was not sure. East Indians are lovely people, and I might add hard working so I don’t know why the problem. Well, have a nice night, I am going off the computer to cook some egglant curry, which we call boulange curry, and I will also cook some nice Karibbean rice to go with my eggplant curry and of course hot pepper suace. Bye Magnum.
Planter // January 18, 2008 at 5:19 PM
“ISSUES & IDEAS: Arthur’s proud record
Published on: 1/18/08.
BY EZRA ALLEYNE
“Outgoing Prime Minister Owen Arthur has everything to be proud of in his long tenure as Prime Minister and leader of this country. The record shows that in 1994, he took over a country whose confidence was fractured and shattered, and rebuilt it to the stage where young Barbadians particularly, now believe that the sky is no longer the limit, but that there are no limits to their aspirations.
He leaves office at a time when, thanks to him, Barbadians enjoy a very high standard of living and when his far-sighted planning leaves behind firm foundations on which our future progress was to have been built. Not least among these are the record low unemployment and the comfortable level of foreign reserves. Quite the opposite was the position in 1994, when he arrived at his office to find the International Monetary Fund point man.”
————————————————–
Yeah Ezra! We’ll see how great a man he is after the verdict is in on the audit. We’ll see how much money Owen and his band of embezzling cohorts left in the kitty. I swear there are two Barbados and people like you could only see the one side where the minority can afford to live comfortably, while the majority suffers economically.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Magnum, Magnum, Magnum, East Indians are nice people, hard working, and very loyal people. Just think that our East Indian Guyanese bring to Barbados their beautiful East Indian culture, and I see nothing wrong with that. I am going now, going to cook egg plant curry, so have a nice evening, and it’s not late to catch the late night LIAT flight into Tinehri, for Georgetown is quite the place to be on Friday night, but of course there is always tomorrow. Have a nice night, and please leave Adrian L alone. He is nice and a citizen forever of the Caricom of which your Barbados is a memberof. Bye
Straight talk // January 18, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Is Magnum a lollipop?
Brown on the outside and white within.
Planter // January 18, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Sister Baby:
Who are you trying to fool on this blog about Guyana? Since 1835 when they started stealing Indians and importing them to Guyana as indentured servants the problem started. Indian people thought themselves better than Africans and hence Guyana became a pluralistic society fueled by the Indian with his “so called superior attitude”. The Indo-Guyanese is trying to escape dirt poor poverty in Guyana and runs to Barbados. But instead of humbly assimilating, he brings his hatred for African people, which causes a lot of tension in a society where two races co-existed for hundreds of years by basically ignoring each other. The arrogance of the Indo-Guyanese would not allow himself to be humble in a society dominated by African people who have made great strides since landing on these shores as slaves. In a nutshell that is the problem of the Indo-Guyanese.
Donald Duck, Esq // January 18, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Magnum
Both Captain Hutt and his wife have passed on. As far As I am aware they had no children. I endorse your comments about him being a true gentleman
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Donald Duck, Esq,
Thank you for informing me of their deaths. I had already done some checks on the internet after I asked the question, and I found a statement from Karl Watson mentioning the death of Captain Hutt though no date was given.
He was the sort of person we need to attract to Barbados… men of integrity, not frauds and false pretenders looking for POWA.
Do you know when they died? Or which one passed away first?
M a g n u m Reloaded // January 18, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Well, at least we know he was still alive in 1991.
God bless his soul.
http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/SHOR.html
A Barbadian named Maurice Hutt produced a paper in 1991 on “swamp shooting”…
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Planter, Oh it is so hard for me to come down on anyone, but I do know what you mean. Some of my dear friends are East Indian, and they are lovely people, very respectful and kind, so I don’t know my dear. I just ignore the bad people and focus on the good ones. Have a nice night!
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Adrian L, I saw a pciture of you in the newspapers when you came with the group from BGI.
Anonymous // January 18, 2008 at 7:33 PM
I told you all already that this sister baby character is an attention junkie.
You notice the rubbish and inconsistencies she writes.
She wriggles herself into the conversation not understanding most of what is being discussed and with some rambling off points.
I think the best advice is to ignore her and don’t respond to her craziness.
I get the sense that she thinks she is riling the bloggers up and is enjoying that as well as the attention she is getting.
Sister Baby // January 18, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Annoymous, I am not doing anything of the sorts. You just jealous because Gary Cole responded to me, Adrian Hinds responded to me and Adrian Loverridge loves Guyana that is why you are saying those things about me. You are right I don’t know 99% of the topics discussed on any blog, even the Guyana ones, but I like to send messages to the people, anyway. it’s is fun. And I know the readers like to see me here, and besides Adrain pays for this blog and I am former British subject so I can write here.
John // January 18, 2008 at 8:05 PM
All this talk about white foreigners holding office would lead a white foreigner (read as tourist) to believe we were kind of mad!!
However, a former Prime Minister has come up with a solution not entirely different from a suggestion I made a while back to advertise the post of minister worldwide and try and get the best person for the job.
Basdeo Panday has recommended to the President of Trinidad and Tobago that the post of Chief Justice be advertised and not filled in a mad hurry.
http://bararchive.bits.baseview.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=./pubfiles/bar/archive/2008/January/17/Regional/51930.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=panday§ionSearch=&begindate=1%2F1%2F1994&enddate=12%2F31%2F2008&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=allwords&archive_pubname=Daily+Nation%09%09%09
John // January 18, 2008 at 8:06 PM
… I know I know, great minds think alike, …. fools seldom differ!
Wishing in Vain // January 18, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Dave,
I suggest that the fear factor has since been removed and it would be wonderful to read this story.
BU Regrets….
October 21, 2007 · 1 Comment
We promised yesterday to deliver the latest decisions to be made regarding the 3S project. We have to reverse our decision because of the possibility that our sources maybe compromised. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the BU family.
To our sources: We would appreciate if you open hushmail email (hushmail.com) accounts so that it can facilitate easier communication. Refer to your last emails to authenticate!
Carson C. Cadogan // January 18, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Do not encourge people to use Hushmail believing it to be safe. IT IS NOT.
“A court document in a drug smugging case has shown that the private email service Hushmail has been cooperating with police in handing over user emails.”
“The DEA agents received three CDs of decrypted emails which contained decrypted emails for the targets of the investigation that had been decrypted as part of a mutual legal assistance treaty between the United States and Canada.”
Beware of Hushmail.
Anonymous // January 18, 2008 at 8:59 PM
What was this thread about again?
Gary Cole (aka Tatanka Yotanka) // January 19, 2008 at 7:10 AM
This is a quiet incredible thread. It really shows the function of blogs to allow people to vent their feelings and frustration that otherwise get surpressed.
There is a lot of bickering, snipping, but some really thoughtful pieces that make you think and make you feel proud for local people (white, big-up, guyanese, partisan, just plain outright nasty too) It does present a problem that people think they can dismiss them because they are uninformed, but thats non-sense. This is democracy in action.
Really, really, this is a wonderful thing the BU.
Eve what you wrote, i hope more people get to read. Mr Loveridge i new the original owner of Arawak Inn, he was a good family friend – that is a special place, and you are a special person – all the best and dont let them get you down: Adrian i cant understand you, all the time, but appreciate your comments most of the time, SisterBaby, i cant stand the company of men all the time with their beating chest and pissing matches, so i really appreciate the comments, that Nation employee seems to have been trembling too much to get his typing straight behind his bosses back, Carson your a good decent person, and all the rest great.
I am going to continue with my long posts, I’ll break them into parts, and i promise you if you havent already read my books, that you certainly will be informed about Barbados, and also i think if i succeed the reading of them will be a journey in themselves.
Richard Hoads article was great, i miss going up to his goat farm evry couple of weeks and getting fresh goats milk for my son, as i used to do.
The link to Terry Alleys article, who is a good journalist, and proven himself many times, and people who have never done serious research, will not appreciate the significance.
David // January 19, 2008 at 8:05 AM
We listened with great interest to Dr. Don Marshall as he hosted the call-in program yesterday. In response to a caller to extract his position on the freeing up of a TV license we got the impression he was squirming a little. Could it be that he agrees with us that Starcom network is not worthy of a TV license but to say what he really feels would conflict with him being able to host the show in the future? If we are wrong Professor we will be the first to apologize but again we got the impression that you were not your usual candid self when this matter was raised. Although you did not mention Barbados Underground and elected to mention our friends Barbados Free Press we know that all of you including the journalists now read the blogs as a matter of routine.
To your concern about the good, bad, and ugly which the blogs will attract. Let us focus on the positive. In order to get rid of the rotten apples, a few good apples may fall when we shake the tree.
anonlegal // January 19, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I post every now again over at Barbados free press whenever i believe that there needs to be a clarification on the law or when i wish to give an opnion on somoething relating to the law. I wish to start doing the same here (i find this blog more balanced than BFP).
Persons reading these blogs often ask themselves why the mainstream media houses don’t bring the same type of stories that one can find here on these blogs. They go as far as to accuse them of purposefully seeking to hide the truth (which I highly doubt).
The likely reason is that if a defamatory story is published by the nation or advocate newspapers they WILL face a lawsuit for defamation.
All media corporations pay liability insurance to cover lawsuits but the more law suits that are brought the higher the premiums that must be paid.
I remind you of the law suit the nation faced in 1997 where they sought to expose and alleged child-pornography ring and were sued successfully. The nation’s initial story didn’t even mention the names of the persons
involved and they brought an eye witness to court in an attempt to show that the story was true. The moral of the story: Even if a defamatory article is true, you must prove it in court in order to rely on a defence of truth.
My point: A blog can post a comment or story without having to verify the reliability of the source and without seeking comment from the person defamed. A blog can post defamatory comments and not worry about defamation actions (as long as their identities aren’t know) or insurance premiums. The mainstream media houses can’t operate in the same way or they will be out of business before you know it.
Druze Militia // January 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM
anonlegal,
Your points are well made, but should people use blogs just to hide and defame others against whom they habour personal grudges?
I will never stop reading my newspapers, because I know that newspapers in Barbados are more truthful, responsible and reliable than any blog. Blogs have agendas.
Druze Militia @ B, F, P, E,
frankology // January 19, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Anonlegal, thanks for the facts, I mentioned the same reasons why the fourth estate CANNOT or WOULD NOT print articles that will caused them undue pressure with a LAWSUIT. The laws are rigid with the media, plus the insurance company representing that media ensure that that media to do become reckless whilst publishing articles. Blogs are different, no insurance are required, and the identity of the sponsors are unknown, thus, the law have no one to charge.
Druze Militia // January 19, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Take this blog for example.
It routinely tries to suppress comments from us at B_F_P_E because we dare to challenge Adrian Loveridge the white foreigner who controls BU and BFP.
Every effort is made to silence and suppress us, but still we persevere, despite his attempts to stifle free speech online and make BU a pro-DLP propaganda machine.
HOORAY FOR MIA!!!!
WE HAVE A NEW OPPOSITION LEADER!!!!
David // January 19, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Anonlegal~thanks for the clarification. We suggest to you though that many of our articles which have touched on the role of the media in Barbados speak about their refusal to carry standard news stories e.g. the delay in publishing the Danos story which was being carried by international news feeds weeks before the Nation published the story, the manipulation of headlines during the recent political campaign, the story which Brandford narrated at Haggatt Hall about the Nation selling all the stickies to the BLP therefore reneging on a verbal contract with the DLP. We could go on. The media in Barbados needs competition. Currently it is too concentrated. We have heard Prime Minister Thompson enunciating the view while in opposition that to bring prices down he will be promoting a policy which encourages competition. If he wants to be viewed as consistent he needs to do the same in the media sector.
thoughtful // January 19, 2008 at 1:19 PM
even though you all say you are, it seems that NOBODY is impartial at either BFP or BU, they are either pro-Blp or pro-Dlp. We need some real impartaility please! What i have noticed is that some contributers have made claims about being censored under the past Blp “regime” when they critised the government. Don’t you think that the same will happen under this new government? That all critics of this new government too will be censored?What i do hope is that no personal vendettas are taken out under this new government or any other government. Congratulations to PM Thompson and his team… we all welcome change. Live up to all those promises, else we, the people, will vote you out too.
Baps // January 19, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Did any other person find the comic about “Hail the King” in today’s Nation offensive or was it just me?
thoughtful // January 19, 2008 at 1:48 PM
i was not referring to censorship from BU or BFP, i was referring to censorship from the local media. The fact the contributors have made claims about their censorship by the local media for their political views.
Anonymous // January 20, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Veteran journalist David Ellis admits that the emergence of the blogs should concern the traditional media. U doubt that the old hacks of Vivian at the nation, Vic at VoB and Cox/Graeme at CBC will listen. Let them look at the USA where there is a strong traditional media but the blogs licking dog.
There is non so blind that refuse to see :-)
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