Very interesting. I thought how appropriate it was that the Lord Chief Justice’s name is Lord Judge. I remember back in the 60s, the name of the head man at Barclays Bank was Mr. Money.

In actual fact, Lord Judge’s comments are based on a community that has several national newspapers. Times and the Sun owned by Rupert Murdoch, while the Mail, the Mirror, the Guardian and the Telegraph are owned by others. Therefore, there is a lot of competition and a lot of politicians lobbying the editors of these newspapers to get their political points across. In Barbados, we are effectively stuck with the Nation and the Advocate. Therefore, the role of the social media, now called the Fifth Estate, is critical and it seems that politicians and their spin doctors are coming to grips with that and jumping on the bandwagon.

But once again, there are only two organs of the Fifth Estate that are widely read. This one and Barbados Free Press. And unfortunately, we have seen evidence within the last year or so that the allegiance of Barbados Free Press is likely for sale to anyone who has their going rate of $650 US per week to pay them.

Also, the Fifth Estate relies heavily on the contributions and information from the man or woman in the street. That man or woman in the street needs to know that their identity is protected and more so in a small community like Barbados. Regrettably, BFP, the other major organ of the Fifth Estate, seems not to respect anonymity.

So, it is no surprise to me to see that the politicians are beating a path to the door of BU where at least they are assured that their comments will be aired, their views respected and their anonymity preserved. Even if they are not agreed with.

Lord Judge is correct and thank God we have a working organ of the Fifth Estate in Barbados and long may it continue and prosper.