Randolph Hearst, the US newspaper proprietor had it about right when he said: “News is what someone wants to stop you printing: all the rest is ads.”
Little has changed around the globe. Democracies thrive on freedom of information whilst dictatorships become every more paranoid about the media and try to rule it with an iron fist. There is no compromise with comment. It has to be fair, balanced and accurate, no more, no less.
What it does not have to be is supportive of anyone, be they politicians or humble members of the public. Neither newspapers nor broadcasting organisations are in existence to please politicians, for therein lies a dangerous route for the media to travel. The media is essentially a watchdog, often snapping at the heels of those in authority, checking on their progress, criticising when necessary and always alive to any misdemeanors. When politicians complain about their treatment by the Press, it usually signals a deep seated disagreement with the way an article has been written and what has been said, whether or not it is true.
During the past few weeks the people in The Bahamas have been witnessing something of a disagreement between certain government politicians and the Press, in particular with The Tribune newspaper and, to be specific, the managing editor John Marquis, a foreigner who has worked in this country for many, many years.
There has been a concentrated and perhaps orchestrated attack on Mr Marquis for a number of articles he has written which have, to some extent, been critical of members of the government. And they do not like it.
We have no brief for Mr. Marquis and do not always agree with his comments but the people of The Bahamas should be aware that a strong press, a critical press and a forceful press is one of the most important means of preventing any politicians gagging journalists. Particularly gagging by stealth.
Three politicians in particular have been voicing their own opinion of Mr. Marquis: Fred Mitchell, Foreign Affairs Minister, Raynard Rigby, chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party and now Senator Philip Galanis.
The Tribune newspaper has locked horns with them all and has, for a number of days, been running material on press freedom, following on from the Guardian’s leading article on April 28 this
year. It is clear from what is being said that there now appears to be an issue over a work permit for Mr. Marquis, with an open call for it to be revoked. Simply remove the permit and you remove the problem. Or rather, you do nothing of the kind.
Such a move would send the worst possible message to many people around the world who are interested in keeping democracy alive and well. Foreigners are to have the threat of having their work permits revoked.
The Bahamas would join the ranks of the rulers who dictate rather than discuss. It is also a little ironic that this latest issue of press freedom arises on the day the country opens its first embassy in Cuba where press freedom is more about control than cooperation. It would be folly to follow.
Editorial from The Guardian
