Some media houses don’t engender atmosphere of truth — Dr Wheatley
Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has protested against what he said was a lack of veracity emanating from some media houses, accusing them of practising reckless journalism in some instances.
Dr Wheatley said his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government has done some very good things since entering office, but the story is not always told because many persons rely on the media for their information.
“We have an approach to media in some instances, and persons who are working in media in some instances that’s not helpful in engendering an atmosphere of truth and accuracy,“ Dr Wheatley said.
While not naming any offending media houses, Dr Wheatley pointed to some of the offending articles that were published in recent times.
Backbenchers’ bump
He cited an article posted about a simple comment made by Premier Andrew Fahie with regard to increasing the salaries of backbenchers in the House of Assembly (HOA).
The Education Minister said the article on the Premier’s statements — which, according to Dr Wheatley, were “just something to contemplate and to meditate on” — was both inaccurate and misleading.
“The media wrote a story that we’re getting ready to raise backbenchers’ salaries,“ he noted.
At the time, however, the Premier spoke at length about his intention to support raising backbenchers’ salaries in a future constitutional review, suggesting that the salaries were insufficient and backbenchers and Opposition members did not benefit from their allowances upon retirement.
“There’s a significant salary difference between a minister and the backbenchers and opposition [members] whose salary [are] the same. And eventually, as we do the constitutional review, I would promote that the salaries be even for all legislators so that whether you are a minister or not, you know, that the salaries are even,” the Premier said at the time.
Reckless journalism
Meanwhile, the Deputy Premier also pointed to another article which said the Education Ministry would dock teachers’ pay for their unreported absence during a sickout that was done recently.
He questioned whether the news site had gotten an official announcement from the Teaching Services Commission or even the Governor, who is responsible for public sector employees.
“Some senior source in some nonsense—reckless journalism,” he stated.
The Education Minister insisted that this type of journalism needs to be called out, and argued that better needs to be done in this regard.
“Let the facts speak for themselves and let people make up their own mind,” Dr Wheatley said.
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Dictator’s playbook…rule 101 attack the free press
I’m still stumped by that video with him laughing uncontrollably and saying he wish he could have given away his votes. What was that about?
He couldn’t believe they actually voted for him. LOL, like it took a while but he finally con them in voting him in the house lol.
I wonder if he is referring to the yellow site.
Must be.
It appears to me that the government past and present always has issues with the reporting by the press.
The previous NDP has such issues, and now this government. Their attack on the free press have led them to conclude that the press is their problem.
In response they came up with laws to suppress free speech and have forced the press to censure unreasonably bloggers comments just to appease them.
It was a mistake on the part of the media to lay down and offered no push back, as it chips away with a free press and freedom on expression.
All media houses should have and must band together on this one issue despite they are competitors: Safeguard and protect the rights of a free press and freedom of expression. Do no lay down and play dead.
The government has it wrong. The media is not your enemy. Us bloggers are not your enemy as well.
My impression is that many in government do not like criticism especially when their feet are being held to the fire. They reflexively point a fingers at the press and the blogs as the cause of all that ails them.
IMO, if they do the jobs they were elected to do, no one will have anything bad to write or comment upon.
If the government proper conduct frequent news conferences with the press, they will have an opportunity to put their version of whatever messages they wish to put out.
It’s your failure to communicate effectively government that is the problem. Take a look in the mirror.
Also, don’t expect to be elected to government and get treated with kids glove everyday. You are there or suppose to be there to do a job. If you do it well, you will get the type of positive press you seek; if you do a bad job, expect to get negative feedback.
You were elected to do a job. Sometimes, negative feedback will come your way. Rather than blaming the press or bloggers, ask yourself what did you do to bring this on, and what could you have done differently to avoid it. Take a look in the mirror.
There is only one Queen and she is somewhere in the U.K. resting up as per doctors orders. The rest of you are public servants working at the publics pleasure. Do your job and stop complaining.
He needs to hire someone to clean up the community center in long look my mord the surrounding is nasty and stinky. Bees take over the place n Jack spanio worst district rep in #7 ever
Think he talking about the hog wash that appears on the yellow belly site. (it is the voice of the squeaker after all)
kim jong foy’s deputy so expect nothing different
He must be talking about their party site. The same one that spewed untruths to help them win.
Blaming the media is the classic sign of a politician who is completely out of arguments. See also: Trump.