Prime Minister David Thompson has announced the names of members to 12 other boards
He says cabinet is working assiduously to get the various boards in place so that the essential work of government would continue apace. Insurance executive Leroy Parris has been appointed as Chairman of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, his deputy chair is Jeanette Layne-Clarke. Other members on the CBC board are Peter Boyce, Evette King, Pastor Wesley Dear, Father Clement Paul, Muriel Sealy and the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office or his nominee.
Source: CBC
We have always wondered through the years, the criteria which successive governments in Barbados have used to appoint persons to several Boards of management charged with overseeing many of our important institutions. One such agency which has been perceived by the public to have been managed like the proverbial political football is the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). We are inclined to go along with the view that successive Barbados governments have erred on the side of caution by appointing a party lackey in light of the aversion of governments in developing states to relinquish control of state owned information entities.
We do not know what qualifies Mr. Parris for the job of Chairman above someone like Janette Layne Clarke and others, but if we were to rely on our on the ground knowledge and instinct, we must admit we don’t like the appointment. Prime Minister David Thompson gained the government to some degree on a platform of bringing change to Barbados. The Prime Minister has been in the media speaking to the number of consultants hired by the past administration which in his view added no value to the running of the government. Thompson has promised Barbadians that he will be bringing people on board who add value to the business of running the government. The appointment of Mr. Parris smacks of cronyism and begs the question what value will he be bringing to managing the problem plagued CBC. What message is the Prime Minister sending to the world and in particular the Fourth Estate, by appointing a man as Chairman of the government owned radio and TV station, known more for inflicting green verbs on anyone standing close-by.
The other concerning point about the appointment of Chairman Parris is to question whether his position as head of a CLICO company which is owned by the Trinidad conglomerate CL Financial does not create a conflict of interest situation. CL Financial owns a media company in Trinidad and a short while ago, according to our source, was known to have applied for a TV license to operate in Barbados.
The CL Financial’s Media and Communications Group, CL Communications, is comprised of one television station (ieTV); three radio stations (Music Radio 97, Ebony 104 and Radio 90.5) and a video production house (Video Associates), which has been responsible for films of international acclaim – Source: CL Financial Website.
We should take this opportunity to ask the incoming Chairman if the plan to privatize CBC is still on the cards.
Related Stories
The Man Behind David Thompson: Will He Prove To Be a Liability…Yet Again?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.