The President of the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), Michael Bascombe is not happy with the response of some media houses on the island to cover certain news items that might cause concern to government.
In an open letter to media colleagues, Bascombe expressed disappointment with the coverage given by the media to a press conference held last week by Attorny-at-law, Anslem Clouden and former Leader of the Opposition, Michael Baptiste.
The Press Conference was called to report on the role being played by Deputy Prime Minister, Gregory Bowen to get his lawyer in the United States to suppress the"Briefcase video-tape" involving an alleged bribery payment to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell (See Pages 3, 10 & 11).
There are reports that the owner of a local radio and television station personally took possession of the recordings of the press conference and refused to air any portion of the interviews on his media outlet.
The Trinidad-controlled Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) did not show up at the session.
The only broadcasting unit that carried the press conference was Grenada Cablevision Limited.
Following is the full text of the open letter to media colleagues from MWAG President. Michael Bascombe:
Dear Media Colleagues,
I am writing this as Michael Bascombe with some concerns.
It's rather interesting that some media colleagues in Grenada are allowing themselves to be manipulated by the authorities.
There are reports that some are allowing this "invisible" phone call to prevent them from carrying some news items.
For example, Anselm Clouden held a press conference yesterday (Thursday) challenging the Prime Minister's statement that there is no authentic brief case tape but the day before in a US court Minister Bowen had lawyers working to prevent the Judge from releasing the tape.
Check the Court documents from the Circuit Court in Manhattan.
From all reports, except for CC6 the local media houses have gone silent. Probably, I could ask the London Desk of the BBC Caribbean Service to ask the News Editors what they are afraid of. You could answer these questions to yourself now.
Are you being warned to stay away from these stories? Are there clear instructions from "up and beyond"? Clear your conscience!
What happens to the TUC Press Conference, expressing its concern about the directive being given to the NIS and the TUC requesting a meeting with the Chairman?
In addition, the person expressing the concern is the TUC Director on the NIS Board - she is part of the decision-making process.
As Journalists we need to examine our role in the newsroom. Don't be afraid of the name-calling and allegations - the bottomline is that your work speaks.
You gain respect not by any politician or political party but by the public - regionally and internationally. It's that simple.
As one person remarked recently that they get more insights into the issues at home by listening to the George Grant Programme on Sundays, even though it's not news oriented. But the discussions and issues are very stimulating.
How many read the editorials of the Spice Isle Review some weeks ago, on some very pertinent social issues? What happens to our core of journalists? Are you forgetting that editorials, letters, columns are all ideas and leads for suggested stories?
It appears we are press conference babies and afraid to touch issues we deem are controversial. Why the media is so silent about the proposed Broadcast Policy? Aren't there concerns? I expect that at some stage we would begin the finger pointing about who should do this and who should do that!
Sorry folks but I really don't care who doesn't like what I wrote but the guilty ones are certain to quick fire.
