The veteran ex-newsman, who has responsibility for broadcasting in the Bahamas, said yesterday: “I refuse and will not join the chorus of those who wish to criticise the media, even if they are being unfair to the Progressive Liberal Party.”
Taking time away from his duties at the street renaming ceremony for revered broadcaster Mr Harcourt `Rusty’ Bethel, Mr Wilchcombe weighed in on the onslaught of criticism levelled in recent months by politicians who feel the Bahamian media has become unfair and biased.
“I am a broadcaster, and I believe in integrity,” said Mr Wilchcombe, “I hate the insults that are being thrown at the media. It is really annoying me because politicians love to do it.
“When you work with them they love you. When you don’t work with them they hate you. And then they say things that bring shame and disgrace to me as a broadcaster, and I hate it. I am a politician, but I hate it,” said Mr Wilchcombe.
The minister said he had seen so many innocent broadcasters insulted by politicians for doing their jobs.
“We [media] are the watchdogs for the state, so why are we criticising the media? Are we criticising The Tribune? For what purpose? What are we criticising the Guardian for?” added Mr Wilchcombe.
“I look at what the media does, and I appreciate that the media, in many circumstances, is privately owned in this country. They have an editorial opinion, and that’s their right to have an opinion. If the truth is not being ļ¾ told, you have a way to challenge that.”
When the conversation turned to a recent speech to North Abaco residents by MP Mr Bradley Roberts, Mr Wilchcombe said: “When the politician goes out of line, you have to bring them back in line. You have to point them out and not be afraid to point them out because what’s important in leadership? Character, and what creates character? Integrity.
“If I am going to be lying,” said Mr Wilchcombe, “what kind of integrity do I have?”
However, the minister cautioned that the critical eye of the media must be applied to all “whether they are PLP, FNM or Vanguard.”
Mr Wilchcombe said what he is most concerned about, in light of all of the attacks on the media, is that journalists recognise the importance of their own integrity. When they wake up each day, they must realise that they, too, have to be honest and fair when seeking the truth.
“To hell with the politician,” said Mr Wilchcombe. “We come and we go. The broadcaster must recognise that his audience and his public is who he reports to.
,,We have a free society,” continued Mr Wilchcombe. “I want to see a better country. I want to see honesty and integrity, and I want to see the professional broadcaster respected.
“I want to see the media practitioners respected, and I do not like what we are doing in this country right now.
“We pull people down when we think it is to our advantage, particularly the political advantage.”
Source: The Tribune
