Journalist On Sex Charge
ROY MORRIS, managing editor of The Nation Publishing Company, appeared before the District “B” Boarded Hall Magistrates’ Court yesterday on a charge of rape. Morris, of Warrens Park, St Thomas was not required to plead to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female. There was no objection to bail and Magistrate Robert Simmons released him on a surety of $10 000. He was ordered to turn in his passport, and to report to the nearest police station thrice weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The matter was adjourned until November 1.
Source:Nation
Former Nation Editor Charged With Rape
Web Posted – Wed Aug 15 2007
FORMER Editor of the Nation Publishing Company, Roy Morris, was charged with one count of rape. He was placed on $10 000 bail with one surety. Morris was required to surrender all travel documents and has to report to District B police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He will return to court on November 1. Morris appeared before Magistrate Robert Simmons at the District B Magistrates Court.
Source: Advocate News
Editor Charged With Rape
Tuesday, 14 August 2007Editor Roy Morris has appeared in court charged with rape. District B Magistrate, Robert Simmons has released him on 10 thousand dollars bail with one surety. Morris was made to surrender his passport and told to report to the District B Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He was represented by attorney-at-law Ralph Thorne and will return to court on November 1.
Source: CBC
Above are some of the headlines breaking news by Barbados media houses this morning, as we continue to mourn the passing of one of the country’s veteran journalist. This day is sad in more ways than one. Contributors have been consistently critical of our coverage, which would have you believe that we don’t want to cover the story; but more so, the symbolism of what Roy Morris represented to Barbados at this time in our history. Since the political enfranchisement of Barbados, a predominantly black country, we have proudly educated our people to ensure that as a country we produce leaders who are capable to lead in all fields of endeavor. Over the last decade Roy Morris, a black man, has demonstrated his willingness to approach the task of being a journalist in a snub nose manner which has earned him the respect of a Barbadian public who has shown little respect for the profession of journalism over the years. The contribution of our Press and particularly journalists like Roy Morris, Harold Hoyte and David Ellis in our recent history have struggled to represent the face of journalism in Barbados at a time when our democracy has come under threat more and more from the political directorate.
We can debate why it has been a struggle for journalists like Roy and others to deliver unbiased reporting over the years and whether the obvious manipulation of the media in Barbados has been responsible for the rise of Bajan blogs. In today’s Barbados Free Press commentary on the unfolding saga, the role the blogosphere in fanning the Roy Morris incident has been suggested as part of the reason why the authorities were forced to act this time around. We are not sure if the blogs led to Roy Morris demise; however, we are sure about the thirst by Barbadians for opportunities to discuss issues unhindered by the strictures of a controlled society. This position is becoming reinforced every day as we witness the growing readership of our blogs. Bear in mind the growth is being achieved without any commercial advertising; just by word of mouth and the collaboration of bajan blogs who “ping” each other.
We do not feel that we are digressing to suggest that the departure of Roy Morris at the Trinidadian controlled media house in Fontebelle may now offer the opportunity for One Media to take more editorial control. BU’s position on the dominating influence by Trinidadians on the landscape of Barbados is well documented.
As Barbadians battle this day with the shame which Roy Morris has visited on a proud black people, let us all use this opportunity to reflect on how we can work to protect the right to have freedom of expression in our small but proud country. Some of us forget that our democracy cannot only be defined by the right of our citizens to place an X on a ballot paper; but equally as important is the right to expect that news will be reported uninterpreted by our media houses.
Related BU Story
The Demise of Roy Morris: Veteran Journalist At The Nation Newspaper Part I
David Ellis Speaks-out On Behalf Of The Beleaguered Media Practitioners In Barbados
Press Freedom Under Threat In Barbados
Barbadians We Can Learn From the Akon Affair~The Voices Of The People Must Be Heard!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.