The renewal of Tribune, managing editor John Marquis’ work permit has been deferred by government pending an investigation into the newspaper’s training programme – with specific reference to the measures being taken to groom a Bahamian managing editor to replace him.
Many believe the move was a response to Mr Marquis’ criticism of government and constitutes an effort to silence the media and take the country backwards.
“We are prepared to do everything in our power to assist Mr Marquis in his attempt to continue on with the work that he has been doing over the years – even if it means launching a public protest,” said Clever Duncombe, president of Bahamian Fathers for Children Everywhere.
Mr Duncombe, who said he would be willing to conduct such a protest anywhere – even outside the home of Prime Minister Perry Christie – said The Tribune is “the only paper in the country that has been fair and balanced over the years.”
Leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, Cassius Stuart is also threatening to protest. He said too many Bahamians suffered and were denied the opportunity to maximise their full potential because of victimisation under the rule of gangster Lynden Pindling.
He claimed the government is attempting to have Mr Marquis “kicked out of the country” and that this is a sign that the PLP has not changed.
“For the Bahamas government to victimise John Marquis for saying exactly what happened in the past is totally ridiculous and portrays them in a bad light internationally,” Mr Stuart said. “What Mr Marquis has done is simply regurgitated history.”
Mr Stuart claimed that during the early 1980s the PLP administration was tainted with corruption and drug trafficking flourished during that era.
“In the 1980s the PLP was steeped in corruption from the Hotel Corporation, to Bahamasair,” Mr Stuart recalled. “We also had an infestation of drugs.” He said some members of parliament were condemned in the 1984 Commission of Inquiry for questionable associations with drug dealers.
Mr Stuart explained that after the Commission of Inquiry report, which highlighted the former PLP administration “no one has ever been jailed.”
“These MPs were never punished for the wrongs against our society,” Mr Stuart said. “However here it is a man is just saying this is what the PLP has done in the past and now the PLP wants to victimise him because he is a foreigner. That is totally absurd. The PLP government should be ashamed of themselves and what they should be doing is asking the nation for forgiveness instead of trying to punish this man for saying exactly what they did in the past.”
Mr Earl Deveaux, who was the FNM minister of labour and immigration when Mr Marquis was granted a three year work permit, added his voice to that of Mr Stuart and Mr Duncombe.
He said: “I find it totally objectionable and frightening that something like this would happen in our day and time and in this manner. I think there is a great deal of fear in our land and many people are afraid to speak their minds because of fear of victimisation and I think it is very sad.
“I am speaking as a citizen of the Bahamas and that is how Earl Deveaux feels. I don’t speak for any party. I served as minister of immigration and that is a well known fact and I can’t contemplate having done something like this in any way.”
According to Mr Duncombe, “The Tribune has been the only fair media,” in helping his organisation push current children’s issues to the forefront.
“I have had difficulty having the concerns of my organisation, Bahamian Fathers For Children Everywhere (BFFCE), heard in any other media,” Mr Duncombe said. “Whatever we must do we intend to do to let our voices be heard because this is a clear case of victimisation in the highest order.”
Mr Duncombe continued: “What has Mr Marquis done? It appears the PLP intends to carry on with its archaic behaviour. Mr Marquis is a treasure to the Bahamas and to have him removed for doing what he has been doing for 40 years would be a grave injustice to our country.”
Raynard Rigby, PLP chairman, and Fred Mitchell, Foreign Affairs Minister, have criticised the local media for what they consider “unfair” reporting.
However, during a recent renaming of Third Terrace, East Centreville, to Harcourt “Rusty” Bethel Drive, the minister responsible for broadcasting, Obie Wilchcombe, defended the local media, and freedom of the press.
By ROYANNE FORBES – DARVILL.E Tribune Staff Reporter
