Stand up and fight!

Gordon Robinson, Contributor

I'm no fan of Jamaican media but must admit that local media coverage of the extradition/Manatt issues and the initial attempts to cover the recent security forces operations in west Kingston deserve high praise. The exemplary bravery of some of the ladies of CVM TV on the first day of open hostilities was exemplary and the intellectual acumen and courage of Janella Precius at an early Government of Jamaica/military/police press conference stood out. Domino Awards will follow later.

This starkly contrasts with the norm. By and large, we've a set of intellectual weaklings, wimps, lackeys and yes-men masque-rading as 'journalists' and harbouring neither investigative capability nor inclination. There's no better example of this than the recent limp response by our media to being 'barred' from Driva's first visit to Tivoli after the conflict. Why meekly accept this unlawful exclusion from the tour by a public official (in his public capacity) of an area of public interest? A committed media would've shown scores of photos of the security farces' forcible prevention of their coverage of the prime minister's constituency visit.

But, worse than this entrenched cowardice, there's a deep-rooted payola problem. 'Payola' isn't only cash for favours; it has other, more strategic, covert tactics.

I didn't go to journalism school. I'm no journalist. I'm just a simple philosopher with a personal message to communicate. But, over time, I've learned some journalism, all from the great Karl Angell - my editor when, in another alter ego, I wrote a horse racing column as The Terrible Tout. Angell studied practical journalism at the legendary but now defunct University of South Odeon (JBC) and also at the feet of H.G. Helps when that master of the craft was the Observer's first sports editor.

Today, many press conferences include spreads for the press. I've attended several with Angell. He rarely ate and never applauded announcements, although surrounded by misty-eyed journalists clapping like anaemics at a mosquito convention. Angell has moved on to the world of Babylon where he can earn a decent living without compromising his principles, but I'll remain eternally grateful for the lessons he taught me.

Insidious interference

The following (names/details changed) occurred in a Jamaican VIP's office. His phone rang. On the line, a senior journalist identified himself "Missa Smith, you won't believe what's on my desk about you."

"What?" asked Smith.

"Bwoy, Missa Smith, dem sey yu t'ief de company money and buy a SUV fi yu gal. I don't believe it, but dem show receipt and everyt'ing, and me know sey if me ever publish dis is trouble wid de police - not to mention yu wife ..."

I think you see where this is going. It arrived at its destination.

So, again, I'm no fan of Jamaican media, but I stand firmly with Byron Buckley and Gary Allen in their stand against Government's insidious attempt at interference with the media's independence. My only criticism is once again based on our media's wimpish nature. Byron, Gary, this should be a non-negotiable issue. Don't give an inch.

"Get up, stand up!!

Stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up!!

Don't give up the fight!!"

If necessary, close down every radio/TV station before permitting this travesty. If Government wants to detail its propaganda schedule, it should pay for the privilege or buy its own media. Forcing someone to give you expensive airtime and then dictating exactly how and when is like eating cake while still having it. It's bad enough that politics controls the nation's executive; its parliament; and has tried, over the years (including most recently and extraditiously), to manipulate the judiciary. Now, politics must control the media, too?

If we were living in a country with good governance and proper constitutional rights, freedom of the press would be an entrenched and respected fundamental right, making any condition of any commercial broadcasting licence forcing gifts to government of time for political propaganda likely to be struck down by the courts. Governments should be forced to ask commercial broadcasters to allow them short periods for issues of national importance. The daily pollution of airwaves with partisan politics masquerading as "Government broadcasts", thanks to the genuflecting acceptance of this condition by the media, is already a national disgrace. Now we must 'negotiate' the placements? Come on, guys, locate your testicles.

What next? Will Government dictate who anchors talk shows? Which columnists are published? Which columns? Is this the thin edge of the wedge which eventually leaves us with only the likes of Booklist Boyne to read?

Peace and Love

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com