Colin Wilson, Editor of iNews Cayman, was guest speaker at Rotary Club of Grand Cayman’s weekly lunchtime gathering at The Westin Hotel last Thursday (4).

After a sumptuous meal and listening to news taken from the Compass and CNS (whoops!) he was called on to speak.

His topic was “Cayman’s Media” and he quipped that the last time he spoke to the club was over twenty years ago on the same subject, so his talk obviously made a big hit!

Featuring in the speech were references to his not too “easy” relationship with Cayman’s premier, Hon. McKeeva Bush, who over the 30 plus years hasn’t exactly taken kindly to his sometimes-barbed sense of humour!

The speech also contained humour, although not all of it was to the liking of some of the members who were often almost silent – not the first time Wilson has experienced this. A comedian he most definitely isn’t!!

On a serious note he said he was shocked how the media here does not “stick” together as a group and referenced two recent incidents on press briefings by the premier to which the invite had been given to only one non government media house and just a few weeks ago to two, although that one had been originally excluded. He said what was shocking was when a reporter from one of the non-invited media houses, CNS, had tried to gain entrance to the meeting, she had been barred by the Premier’s Press Secretary. He said the other two houses, Compass and CITN/Cayman27, should have immediately left.

The only way to stop this is for Cayman’s media to be united. “One for all, and all for one” he said, quoting from Alexandra Dumas.

Very unfortunately, when he went on to speak about the government’s own television station and what was the real motive behind it, his allotted time ran out due to the Rotary’s full agenda. Apart from that, Wilson said he enjoyed the experience, everyone was gracious and had thanked him warmly for appearing. When asked if he would like to speak again to Rotary, he said he is doubtful he would be asked again.

“In 20 years time,” he said, “it would take fifteen minutes for me to say two sentences, but everyone would hang on to every word.”