The fundamental right to seek and disseminate information through an independent press is under attack, and part of the assault is coming from government itself.
Recently at a post-Cabinet press briefing an independent journalist was assaulted by a government minister “a so-called man of the cloth” and yet he allegedly threatened the media houses with action if they reported on the incident of assault and abuse against one of their own.
Threats, insults and attacks are now part of the “occupational hazards” for journalists in many countries. Calistra Farrier isn’t immune to those blistering attacks here in Grenada because she has been handpicked by those who’re anti-press freedom.
Transparency International Meryl Streep stated and I quote, “Some people died for it (The Panama Papers), and people die to get the word out”.
Good Journalists, not the controlled ones, are risking their lives on a daily basis all around the world just to get the truth out there.
“I believe our society is run by insane people for insane objectives”, John Lennon.
An attack on press freedom can be considered to be dangerous and harmful to the democracy of any country.
The Prime Minister’s Press Secretary made a blistering attack on media workers when she issued a statement calling for professionalism and respect at a post-Cabinet briefing.
All this came about as a result of a journalist who posed questions to the Prime Minister about statements he had made as it relates to his ex-wife whom he has referred to as his wife and the journalist was seeking clarification.
The Prime Minister threw a tantrum fit and transformed into a monster, he banged on the table and uttered, “don’t go there” and made mentioned of his so-called private life.
This was just laughable because the Prime Minister has been the holder of a public office for so many years.
I still cannot believe he doesn’t know or isn’t aware that there’s no private life for public office holders.
If we take a look at what’s taking place in some of the most influential democracies in the world, populist leaders have overseen concerted attempts to throttle the independence of the media sector.
Here in Grenada I can say that certain segments of the media are being controlled by those in authority who’re seeking to muzzle the media.
In an article written by one Andy Johnson that appeared in the Daily Express from out of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and it was also copied to Now Grenada entitles, it said, “The search for clarity – a reporter’s duty” in my view he summarized everything up perfectly and he couldn’t have said it better.
The Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) was in a state of discombobulation, wondering what triggered the PM’s Press Secretary blistering statement – well if they’re that naive as the fifth estate then Andy Johnson article seeks to clarify everything.
MWAG had called on the Press Secretary as it relates to her blistering statement but she has done nothing about it and MWAG left it as is.
The first Vice President came on television ranting; I don’t think it was worth his effort because it was all SHOWMANSHIP.
Why didn’t the President of MWAG issue a statement? I’m guessing she’s having tetanus lock jaw all because of her job with the state-owned (GIS) Government Information Service.
I’m now convinced that MWAG is politically tainted and its entire executive should tender their resignations with immediate effect.
Press freedom is now under attack and there are few who are willing to stand up and defend that freedom. Calistra Farrier, a freelance journalist was allegedly manhandled and assaulted by a government official and she also experienced both physical and verbal abuse at a government institution.
Not one media house reported the incident and they all were present and were witnesses to this offense, yet everyone remain silent about it.
It makes me wonder if we have real journalists here in Grenada who are willing to stand up and defend press freedom.
In my view Calistra is one of the journalists who deserves my respect, likewise the respect of many because she’s a courageous and investigative reporter. I salute her for her tremendous contributions in the field of journalism.
She has always been on point by asking the right questions and she always hits the nail right on the head.
All the rest that went to China for training were already spoon fed with propaganda and is politically tainted.
As it relates to press freedom around the world, World Press Freedom Index states, “The hostility towards journalists expressed by political leaders in many countries has incited increasingly serious and frequent acts of violence that have fuelled an unprecedented level of fear and danger for journalists.
“If the political debate slides surreptitiously or openly towards a civil war-style atmosphere, in which journalists are treated as scapegoats, then democracy is in great danger,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.
“Halting this cycle of fear and intimidation is a matter of the utmost urgency for all people of goodwill who value the freedoms acquired in the course of history.”
While the threats to global media freedom are real and concerning in their own right, their impact on the state of democracy is what makes them truly dangerous.
Experience has shown, however, that press freedom can rebound from even lengthy stints of repression when given the opportunity. The basic desire for democratic liberties, including access to honest and fact-based journalism, can never be extinguished.
The Professional Agitator