Do local journalists really imagine ourselves infallible?

The reality is that the media are probably the most powerful of all our institutions today and they, or rather we [journalists], too often are squandering our power and ignoring our obligations. The consequence of our abdication of responsibility is the ugly spectacle of idiot culture!” (Carl Bernstein, at the annual convention of Radio and Television News Directors Association, September 26, 1998.) 

Although Carl Bernstein is a world renowned journalist, particularly for his work with Bob Woodward on the notorious Watergate scandal, he harbours no qualms about criticising his profession. Of course, with the advent of social media, everyone and his illiterate cousin is free to critique the oeuvre even of Pulitzer Prize winners. Saint Lucia also has its experts, ever ready to dish out meaningless awards to favourite media personnel. During a recent episode of his Keeping it Real show, the prime minister’s attache Norbert Williams offered the following: “I want to talk about the deficiency of so many of our media people. We need to up our game. And this is not coming just from me. Saint Lucians continue to lament the poor quality of news presentation in this country. They have lamented that news stories that they expect to bring the truth to light, too often raise more questions.”

He offered elucidation: “We have this nonsense going on in Saint Lucia. The SLP says the UWP is this and that. The media trot over to the prime minister: ‘Sir, the SLP says this,’ or ‘Ernest Hilaire said that.’ Upon hearing the prime minister’s reaction to what they told him, the same media people run back to SLP headquarters, to the leader of the opposition: ‘Well, the prime minister said this . . . what do you have to say? And so the back and forth continues. These people who call themselves journalists never take the time to investigate. All they do is transmit what has been said to them in hope of receiving a reaction. That’s journalism?”  

About a week after the Williams explosion on TV, Claudius Francis, commenting on his Straight Up show about the interviews usually conducted outside the House, offered this: “That MBC story I saw on HTS last night, where ministers were interviewed outside of parliament regarding the topic of the day—an alleged kidnapping, assault, said to be involving a government minister—I was appalled last night when I saw the news, about the press asking Ezekiel Joseph and Spider Montoute if they own farms. You know they have farms. What’s your point? You also know the locations of their farms!”

He offered a lesson: “What would be so wrong in simply asking either minister about a publicized allegation that someone had been kidnapped and taken to a particular farm? What’s this about asking whether he owns a farm when what you need to know is something else? I have to tell you I loved Stephenson King’s response when asked if he owned a farm. He said he did not, unless the question referred to his kitchen garden. I loved that. It made the press look inept and bad as they asked questions, the answers to which they already knew.”  

Francis’s assessment evidently touched a nerve. Hours after his critique of particular reporters, MBC’s advertised “senior political correspondent” posted on Facebook his response: “I think, Claudius J. Francis, it will serve us better if you question some of the mayor’s [Petersen Francis] pronouncements instead of placing focus on how the media asks questions. And you can quote me on that one. Thanks.” 

A non sequitur? No matter, Claudius fired back: “Miguel, stop being thin-skinned. What was the point of the question when it is well known the ministers were farm owners. The media are neither all knowing nor perfect. So stop the bullshit about me putting questions to the mayor.”  The non sequiturs did not end there. I asked at a press conference on Monday whether “the kidnapping victim” is currently being investigated for breaking and entering.

ACP Wayne Charlery responded: “I cannot speak to that at this time. Obviously I will update you as I get my facts straight. But let me just say this much about this entire scenario at Gros Islet: the media represents the fourth power, the three other powers being the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. So, the Executive would of course enforce the laws. Our agency, the police force, is one of the dominant agencies within the Executive, and the Judiciary interprets the laws made by the Legislature. I want to appeal to you, the media. You have quite a lot of influence and power, in terms of influencing public opinion and developing the country as we move along. With that kind of power and influence comes great responsibility.” (Could it be the ACP is a fan of Carl Berstein?)  

His lecture was interrupted by MBC’s senior political hotshot, Miguel Fevrier: “Are you suggesting that there has been some irresponsible reporting on this incident, sir?”

“I am saying that we all need to be credible and to keep our integrity intact,” the officer fired back. “We exert great influence over public opinion and therefore all our actions should be above board, true and accurate.”

Fevrier: “Sir, obviously something triggered that statement. I mean, it almost seems to come out of left field to ask us to be responsible. So obviously, if we’re speaking of the kidnapping, why are you suggesting there’s been irresponsible reporting?”

ACP Charlery: “I maintain that we are all in this thing together, developing a country with various influences. And I’m saying that we all should look at our integrity and keep our credibility together for the successful future development of our country.”

It’ll be interesting to observe in the coming days the effect of the lectures by Claudius Francis, Norbert Williams and ACP Wayne Charlery on our media practitioners. As for me , I agree wholeheartedly with what Francis said. Journalists are human, and humans have never been infallible. The best among us recognize that there’s always room for improvement. To repeat Francis’s reminder to Miguel: “The media is not all knowing; neither perfect.”