Emulate Gleaner Editor

LAST WEEK Wednesday, Garfield Grandison, editor-in-chief, affixed his name to a front-page editorial responding to an allegation by the Honourable Daryl Vaz, who laid improper motive to The Gleaner for not publishing a United States Embassy cable which claimed that Dr Peter Phillips bad-mouthed the People's National Party and its leader. Grandison said it was a "failure on our part, which we regret". In addition, he provided data to refute Vaz's interpretation of the non-publication, and he did it without rancour.

Grandison, not for the first time, was responsive to a legitimate specific accusation. This action is worthy of emulation. We should be responsive to constructive criticism, taking responsibility for errors, apologising unequivocally and without arrogance or bitterness.

Similarly, Dr Patricia Holness, CEO of the Registrar General's Department, Greg Christie, contractor general, and Earl Samuels, former head of the National Housing Trust, routinely have responded to matters raised in the media and that were related to their portfolio. Unfortunately, governance in this country for the most part does not follow such a path.

For example, a month ago on television, Senator Aundré Franklin, general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), asked that the police to give an update concerning the investigations into the serious allegations against James Robertson, deputy leader of the JLP, and Joseph Hibbert, MP. And I did not hear the police respond to Franklin. The police ought to provide at least quarterly updates on its investigations and engage the public.

Then a couple Sundays ago, the Sunday Herald made specific allegations concerning financial transactions in which Head of State, Sir Patrick Allen, played a role when he was a minister of religion. And to date, there has been no response.

An unfortunate case

It is unfortunate when public figures and institutions do not feel obligated to respond to citizens' complaints and specific allegations. It creates a climate of distrust. Unfortunately, the media is perceived as a public-relations arm for the powerful, popular and wealthy. It is often seen as a means to entertain but not as a vehicle always carrying accurate information. Sometimes it conveys unsubstantiated opinions which are largely informed by perceptions, prejudice and propaganda.

President of the University and Allied Workers Union, Lambert Brown, talk show host of the Evening Edition on NEWSTALK 93.7 FM, will never get Brownie points for pronunciation or grammar; however, he provides listeners with data and also the source to which they can go and do the research themselves. And his articles in The Gleaner reflect that he does his homework. Therefore, it is very disappointing that the commissioners of the Manatt report have not responded to his specific allegations that there were errors in the report. And others have made specific allegations against the commissioners but not a sentence from them.

The Manatt commissioners have learned from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). A couple of weeks ago, Patrick Rousseau, attorney-at-law and former president of the WICB, claimed that Dr Ernest Hilaire violated the code of conduct of the WICB and yet there is no denial and no response.

Forbes Magazine stated that Jamaica is the fifth-worst economy in the world. By now, one would have expected that the Government would have supplied the data to prove otherwise, but instead - silence.

And Minister Vaz displayed a cheque written by the PM to show that the PM wrote a cheque to YP Seaton for the bird-shooting trip to Paraguay. Vaz could emulate Grandison and be more accurate and display a cheque with the date stamped on it to show when it was negotiated.

The police, preachers, politicians, public servants need to emulate The Gleaner editor and respond in a timely manner with the appropriate data to specific and legitimate criticisms.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, St Andrew. Send comments to columns@gleanerjm.com