From “Concerned former media worker” (Name witheld by ieyenews)

Dear ACM,

You need to pay some attention to what is taking place in the Bahamas. Maybe it has not yet been brought to your attention, but there was a big fracas last week between a senior government official and a member of the press with the government official threatening to ‘wait for the man’.

Don’t take my word for it, just check out all the media reports from the Bahamas, they all light up with the fireworks as the financial secretary, a gentleman named Simon Wilson, actually walk up on Nassau Guardian reporter Youri Kemp, and had to be restrained by another minister. You’d swear it was a movie. In fact there is a video of it circulating online. And after Wilson was restrained he had gumption to tell Kemp ‘I will walk out of here and wait for you’. Never mind it was in the full glare of the media.

Now the fact is Kemp could have been a little more subtle when he accused Wilson of lying to the media about a contract awarded to a company called JDL to manage freight at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. But even so, I was shocked to see the reaction of Simon Wilson, after all, this man is a representative of the government. He apologised for his behaviour after, but that does not justify him almost getting into a physical brawl with the reporter, and then threatening him. It is another example of the scant respect for media that is developing among many regional administrations, and that is concerning.

I notice that you have been very vocal about crimes against journalists in recent times, and while this might not be what is happening in Gaza, charity begins and home, and I would say vigilance begins at home. Members of the media, in whatever island play a vital role in protecting the rights of the population and holding those in high office to account. How can they do that job when there are concerned about their personal safety? We must hold our holders of public office to higher standards.

I look forward to your take on this situation.

Concerned former media worker. 

END

See story Tuesday June 4 2024 below From The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. 

Freedom of the Press in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is threatened when a journalist, because of how he questioned a government official, is banned from attending press conferences at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Nassau Guardian reporter Youri Kemp accused Financial Secretary Simon Wilson of telling lies to the media. Mr Wilson took offence, but if Mr Kemp can produce proof of what was said, that should be the end of the matter.

There is no good and proper way to say a lie is a lie, except to call it what it is.

For elected members of the House of Assembly the use of the word “liar” is said to be unparliamentary and, in the past, media houses have been sued and made to pay substantial sums for reporting parliamentarians had lied.

However, a press briefing is not the House of Assembly and Simon Wilson is not a parliamentarian. He is a public servant and should be made to answer for any alleged transgressions.

This also renews our call for enacting the Freedom of Information Act, which would allow reporters access to information thus providing them with accurate records when questioning Government officials.

The Press Club believes that a free and independent press is a key mechanism of a functioning, healthy democracy.

ANTHONY CAPRON

President, The Bahamas Press Club

Go to THE TRIBUNE story: https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/04/reporter-ban-a-threat-to-free-press/