Declaring my political bias

Delano Seiveright has the media fraternity in a tizzy. Seiveright, president of Generation 2000 (G2K), the young-professional arm of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), recently accused certain segments of the media of bias against the JLP. According to Seiveright, some analysts and commentators are masquerading as independent voices when they are, in fact, political hacks surreptitiously promoting their party agenda. Seiveright, in his broadside against the media, called on commentators to declare their political leanings, if any, or risk the wrath of his organisation.

Media practitioners have understandably scolded the young Labourite for traversing dangerous ground. Any threat against the press, even a purely metaphorical one as Mr Seiveright claims his to be, is cause for concern. The press is by no means beyond reproach. And in a country where powerful and unseemly forces have infiltrated and overwhelmed critical institutions, it is expected, and indeed desired, that the objectivity of the press is routinely examined.

But such scrutiny, particularly when emerging from someone so connected to the purveyors of power, should never imply - metaphorically or otherwise - a threat of force. Any such threat against the press - a key defender of the institution of democracy - is a threat against democracy itself.

Chorus of criticism

I do, nonetheless, empathise with Mr Seiveright. After 18 years of People's National Party (PNP) ineptitude, his party has made noteworthy strides within a challenging economic environment. Despite a stable dollar (probably more an indication of our trading partners' weaknesses than our own strength), a reduction in interest rates (albeit one actualised through domestic debt default), a promising reduction in crime (sparked not by independent political will but by pressure from Uncle Sam), the JLP still can't shake the constant chorus of criticism.

The media seem intent on reminding the masses of the scores of Jamaican lives lost during the Tivoli incursion, the prime minister's disingenuous stewardship during the 'Dudus' extradition debacle, and the Manatt mess (pantomime enquiry included). No wonder Mr Seiveright is frustrated.

I feel his pain. So, instead of joining the chorus of condemnation, I will take him up on his request. In the spirit of transparency and fair play, I will, without reservation or equivocation, declare my political bias.

But first let's take a quick trip to the United States and pretend for a moment that I am a New York Times columnist (no, I'm not begging work). Were I to declare that (a) abortion is murder, (b) the government has no right to restrict firearm ownership, and (c) I will never support increased taxes, an informed reader might reasonably surmise that I am a Republican.

If, on the other hand, I wrote that (a) the government has no right to tell a woman what to do with her body, (b) firearms are dangerous and should be reasonably regulated, and (c) tax rates are too low and slight increases are necessary to fund programmes that protect the nation's most vulnerable, one could safely conclude that I am a Democrat.

Differences

Now, put down the hamburger and French fries and let's return to Jamaica. Our major problem is that our politics is no longer grounded in debate on clear and competing ideologies. Politics has become a perpetual game of seeking, acquiring, and maintaining power at any cost, and simply for the sake of wielding power.

Pop Quiz: Name three differences between the JLP and PNP. Time's up. If nonsense like orange and green were the first things to come to mind, my point is validated.

I would, therefore, suggest to Mr Seiveright that when he accepts the usual parting prize for a G2K president - a seat in the Senate - he use his position to promote debate based on ideas and theories that will develop a clear and distinct ideological platform for his party - as opposed to the unproductive tit-for-tat that currently dominates the political discourse. Commentators' analyses of these substantive issues would thus betray any biases they possess. It would then become unnecessary to resort to the Los Angeles street gang-style tactics of demanding that civilians declare their colours.

And as for my political bias - I am a proud and unwavering supporter of ... [oops, the 700-word limit has got the better of me, again! Tune in next week].

Din Duggan is an attorney working as a consultant with a global legal search firm. Email him at columns@gleanerjm.com or dinduggan@gmail.com, or view his past columns at facebook.com/dinduggan and twitter.com/YoungDuggan.