The verdict on the recent application by the Barbados Light & Power Company for a rate hike promised by the Chairman of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) Sir Neville Nicholls passed without any serious notice by the media earlier this month. The media given its responsibility within the Fourth Estate of the Realm has failed the PEOPLE yet again given its responsibility to keep us informed. The blatant renege by the Fourth Estate of its important civil responsibility means that most Barbadians remain ignorant to the important issues affecting them.
The Head of the Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (BANGO) Roosevelt King when asked by BU the possible reason for the delay gave the following response:
“Through fear tactics, psychological warfare, oppression and violence many people have been forced physically and mentally, [to not exercise] their right to voice their opinions or their desires to fight against the oppression that they experience. The people are forced to believe, and later come to identify with, the idea that the oppressor has supreme power and is working in the favor of the people. As a result a culture of quiet, non resistant, passive if you will, people are born. This Culture of Silence is longstanding and continues because the people continue to allow the destruction and the oppression to occur, not because they want to, but because fighting against the oppressor seems futile. Those that do fight are eradicated and made examples of in the attempt to silence future attempts at reform. – Author unknown – internet posting”
Be reminded Mr. King’s BANGO participated in the just concluded FTC/BL&P rate hike application.
The culture of silence which permeates the Barbados society does not align with the repeated position that Barbados is a highly literate and educated society. Why does civil society, the Fourth Estate included and by extension ordinary Barbadians continue absolve important agencies like the Fair Trade Commission from being accountable? Is it the PEOPLE are afraid? Is it the PEOPLE are ignorant and need to be educated about what is important to a functioning and cohesive society? Why would the Fourth Estate not see the lack of a report by the FTC by the promised deadline as significant news?
The Nelson Barbados versus many prominent Barbadians court case has been covered exclusively by BU. We understand the blackout by the local media has to do with the position the matter is sub judice. Is this correct Pat Hoyos? BU suggests the real reason has to be the fact the local media is scared shitless about covering the case because of ignorance and the intimidation factor. Until the Fourth Estate discontinues the blackout on the Nelson Barbados/Kingsland Estate/Peter Allard legal matter, the people of Barbados will remain ignorant and consequently vulnerable to manipulation.
After a full year of BU battering the Barbados Fourth Estate it is clear the traditional media remains in crisis. Its willingness to be sympathetic to sponsors or to promote stories which require little intelligence, competence and effort has created a void. Fortunately we live in the age of the Internet and in 2010 BU suspects this medium will become a louder voice for the PEOPLE. The void created by an incompetent and unprofessional media now provides fertile ground for the buds of Internet flowers to sprout. Within the current culture of silence it remains the only hope Barbadians have to change the way business gets done.
As 2010 comes to a close BU appeals to all civic minded Barbadians and friends to use the Internet medium to make their voices heard. BU will continue to resist the urge to become commercial. The only agenda which BU will promote will be that of the BU family.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.