David Ellis/courtesy VOB 92.9.com
We listened yesterday afternoon to the popular talk show with great interest. There was an extremely enlightening exchange between the moderator David Ellis and a caller because it highlighted, we think for the first time on national radio, an attempt to seriously rationalize the role blogs can play to complement mainstream media in Barbados.
In the ensuing exchange David Ellis confirmed what keen listeners would have realized in recent months – he has taken on a more defensive posture moderating call-in programs since the on air debacle with former Minister of Tourism Barney Lynch. We recall that subsequent events resulted in Starcom Network paying Barney Lynch $70,000 to stave off a threatened law suit. David Ellis as part of the deal was also made to apologize on national radio for the episode. It was a dark day for media practitioners in Barbados and one which after several months it is still trying to recover.
Another point which emerged from the exchange was Ellis’s view that he was troubled at the on again off again tenor of the blogs towards mainstream media. This of course is a mute point and was smartly dealt with by the caller.
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To explain why Barbados Underground and others in the blogosphere have been frustrated at mainstream media can be explained as follows:
- It has been confirmed on the blogs by former journalist Ian Bourne that Starcom entities have been directed not to mention BU or BFP in the reporting of news to the public. It became extremely visible during the last general election. While the media houses have a right to direct their operating policy it becomes unethical when their reports take our stories and engage in blatant plagiarism. It is known around the newsrooms in Barbados that reporters check the blogs as a source for news stories. Imagine all the leads we have which we can’t explore and vice versa based on respective positioning.
- Blogs CANNOT replace mainstream media but we can play a complementary role if we are allowed to.
- Mainstream media should not fear the blogs but more so the technology of the Internet.
- The rise of the bajan blogosphere has been gaining popularity because of PEOPLE power. We suggest that mainstream media accept our rising popular as a measure of the disaffection within the current system i.e.ordinary people looking for an unfettered outlet to express REAL concerns.
David Ellis take note that the reason BU and others have been critical of the Barbados media is simply to underscore the importance of the Fourth Estate in a democracy which aspires to be ‘stable’. The fact that we have been having discussions about the role of blogs is a credit to David Ellis and secures his position as being head and shoulder among his counterparts.
The superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted – I Ching
The ‘old-hat’ views expressed by some journalists on the panel and many callers on the recent Sunday talk show was an embarrassment to moving the discussion forward regarding the adoption of non traditional media sources by mainstream media in Barbados. On the blogs we express opinions, sometimes we are able to explore hidden issues because of our sources which the resource ladened mainstream media can more efficiently explore. We have have asked mainstream media to stop giving blogs the cold shoulder and see the value of information which emanates from any source and the value of parnerships.
Let us hope that Ellis is able to persuade his principals that the time has come to move the business of the Fourth Estate to a higher level.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.