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Fontabelle 7 Day Eager 11 Sales Plan

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Oh what a tangled web we weave,

When first we practise to deceive!
Sir Walter Scott

Kaymar Jordan, NATION Editor in Chief (l) Carol Martindale, former Sunday Sun Editor (r)

In the same way Editor in Chief of the NATION Kaymar Jordan believes she has the right to ration news to Barbadians, BU claims the right to continue to express disgust at the decision. It is obvious to most people that enough time has elapsed since the story broke that any responsible newspaper in possession of the facts would have sought to clarify the story for the public it serves. Journalistic integrity should never be traded for a bounce in sales.

BU has been criticised by some who believe we should be focussed on the bigger story which is the disquiet haunting the DLP camp concerning Prime Minister Stuarts leadership. Our response is,  we will do so on Sunday when the NATION reveals it all. Then and only then will the public be relieved of the manufactured suspense and be able to engage in a coherent analysis of what transpired.

BU was born in April 2007 because we felt the media was being intimidated by the Arthur administration. A working Fourth Estate is critical to ensuring the crust which protects our democracy is safeguarded. It is serious business. The yellow journalism which is being foisted on Barbadians by the NATION is not acceptable and we need to tell them to stop it!

The Fontabelle 7 Day Eager 11 Sales Plan designed to boost sales must be seen as a media house operating contrary to the highest ethical standards of journalism. In the way it has reported the Eager 11 story the NATION has reneged on its responsibility to Barbadians to be honest and accurate in the delivery of news. Barbadians have become accustomed to mediocrity in the media we find it difficult to recognize it when it happens.

The mention of yellow journalism raises the memory of a couple years ago (August 24, 2009), Barbadians may recall the hullabaloo when the then Sunday Sun Editor Carol Martindale reported  she was threatened by Hartley Henry who was the advisor to the late prime minister.

“The paper [NATION] said police were immediately summoned to the newspaper’s offices where a report about the telephone conversation was made to investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department.

“The Nation has sent an official complaint to Prime Minister David Thompson and has also lodged complaints with the Inter-American Press Association and the World Press Freedom Committee and copied these letters to the Barbados Association of Journalists (BAJ),” the newspaper said.”

If the NATION was a responsible media outfit would Barbadians have to wonder what was the outcome of the Martindale/Henry matter? Would BU be getting a message which suggest that the Nation has a draft copy of a letter? BU looks forward to the ‘letter’ with 11 signatures belonging to the faces of the MPs being paraded in the NATION to be published on Sunday. Any thing less and  heads must roll.

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139 responses to “Fontabelle 7 Day Eager 11 Sales Plan”

  1. Angela Ifill Avatar
    Angela Ifill

    I had my suspicions about the letter’s authenticity when the letter mention inertia and wanting to retain the government.That talked sounded it came from the BLP mouth.Then when I saw Hamilton lashley and Mara photos then I knew it was a hoax.I don’t see Mr lashley getting involve with any move by a political party to retain government as it makes no difference to him who is in as he is never out.

  2. ac Avatar
    ac

    Do n’t let the Nation get off the Hook. Keep the drum beat going for TRUTH and Integrity in the Media. The Nation has demonstrated that it clearly doesn’t give a F>>>king Hoot about what is Decent and proper for the Country, A story of such relevance if revealed in its true form and accuracy would have scored them a high ranking in the journalism ETHICS. A High profit margin on yellow and tainted journalism can only be of short term benefit.to the Nation and its readership .

  3. Antz Avatar
    Antz

    @ David

    How early on Sunday should someone start that A NATION NEWSPAPER OF NONSENSE facebook page?

    Barbados deserves better than this nonsense by Kaymar Jordan and the Nation newspaper. This is a plan that certainly has backfired, the public has set a very high bar for the Nation for the Sunday’s newspaper.

    The Nation has continually refined its position since last Sunday but they MUST know nothing short of the letter with all of the signatories will render that story or stories, that reporter and that newspaper an unreliable source of accurate news.

    The Nation is playing games, hope Kaymar has her facts and evidence in order and certain her good friend, very very very good friend OA can deliver the victory cause if not she might be the recipient of a Tom cat move against her.

  4. true to form Avatar
    true to form

    Fear and trembling can be percieved by those who know the truth already. The Nation says it will reveal all on Sunday and I can see the DLP hacks who obviously do not have the facts are trying all their might to say it isnt so. The Nation is doing nothing unethical and the truth cannot be hidden.The DLP hacks want to implicate everyone except the culprits. What madness! We have c]ome to a sorry place when we have to fashion a response not on the facts but on which political side we support. When we do this we are decieveing ourself and the truth isnot in within us.

    My defence of the letter writers would be and has always been is that they have a right to be concern if they feel that their leader is unable to bring them victory. This happened in New Zealand and recently in Jamaica. The leaders made a decision to be moved . In the case of New Zealand the former PM is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of his party rival. The correct decision is he correct decision whether it suits the present leader or not.. Let common sense prevail. To look out for their common interest is not to be guilty of any crime even if it would look bad on the leader.If the present situation continue the DLP will be unelectable for The PM will be unable to endorse these men and they will be unable to endorse him..
    Eleven to one is murder and I cannot see the PM making an error of judgment here I.We must assume that they may be more than eleven who feel uneasy about Stuart and so theri is a need for introspection and thought. The circumstances expect it and importance of the situation demands it. Over to you PM . think on these things

  5. Welcome to the USB Avatar
    Welcome to the USB

    Welcome to the USB – United States of Barbados. You wanted 24/7 news – you have it.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    @true to form

    You have shown a lack of unbelievable comprehension here. BU’s position is we will have a better conversation when and if a letter is revealed on Sunday. In fact BU has started the conversation on other blogs. However discussing the dissatisfaction of some in the DLP party with Stuart does not give the Nation a free pass in how they have exemplified good standards of journalism in this and other matters. By rationing the news the editor has engaged in yellow journalism which has become the norm and which politicos based on where the story falls agrees with it.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Why bother anyway, freedom of the Press as we know it maybe about to change:

    http://theintelhub.com/2011/12/14/in-less-than-24-hours-congress-could-vote-to-change-the-internet-forever.

  8. redcarrake Avatar
    redcarrake

    stop buying daily Nation about five years ago because of a front page story, now buy the Sunday sun to check family notices. i believe a leading newspaper should be responsible

  9. true to form Avatar
    true to form

    @ David
    The Nation made it very clear in the piece that they will reveal all on Sunday. there were calsl to make the letter public and the Nation said it would. They have not reneged from that promise. You may want to say that they are promoting a financial and marketing interest in doing so . But this is not necessarily an uncommon thing. Unless you want ot punish the paper for that then I cannot see the point of yellow jounalism.
    Some people have been accusing the Nation of bias and political leanings but these peolpe should be embarassed by the behaviour of their political friends. These people should deal with their embarassment and not accuse the Nation of anything untoward because it seems to me that they can take the heat and the suppopsed embarassment

  10. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    David intelligent persons already see the attempt to deceive the public by the words, “ON BEHALF OF”.

  11. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The Nationnews continues to show the faces of the 11 ministers every day but write “not me” on two faces and “not saying” on another.

    However we have had similar statements from others in the eleven but the Nationnews gives the impression that the other 8 are willing participants in this an attempt to oust the PM.

    They must publish a letter stating “dissatisfaction with the “PERFORMANCE” of the PM and with eleven signatures affixed.

    We are not all uneducated idiots.

  12. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Until the letter is printed, can you DLP hacks lay off of Owen Arthur. My God the man was in the UK when this story broke. Yes, I know you will tell me that he has a cell phone.

    Deal with the issues, is there a plot or not to get rid of the PM? Is it true that they wanted him to resign on grounds of ill health? Is it true that some of them went to the GG twice with a letter in hand saying that they had no confidence in the PM? Is it true that the constant harassment of the GG forced his sudden resignation?

    The DLP yardfowls have been bombarding the Nation newsroom with obscene calls ever since Monday. Is this fair? But the DLP party is paramount, not Barbados.

    Someone said they cant see Mara being part of this, she implied in her interview with the Nation a few weeks ago that she was a bit disappointed and with her husband’s kingmaker behind this plot, it is not far fetched to think that she was involved. After all, the Thompson (non) legacy has to be preserved.

    Let’s wait until Sunday,, if the Nation does not deliver, then condemn them, and rightfully so!

  13. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    By Kaymar Jordan | Fri, December 16, 2011 – 12:10 AM

    A total of five ruling party Members of Parliament (MPs) have now responded publicly to Tuesday’s front page article in THE DAILY NATION that listed them among a group of 11 seeking an “urgent audience” with Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to discuss his leadership.

  14. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Prodigal Son wrote “Until the letter is printed, can you DLP hacks lay off of Owen Arthur.”

    Owen Arthur would do anything to become PM again.

  15. Nia Avatar
    Nia

    When it changed from “signed” to “on behalf of” that should raise enough suspicion.
    They probably underestimate the general public and hope that they are not aware enough or intelligent enough of the English language to notice the difference. Words matter.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    To repeat BU’s position, the nation in full possession of a letter with 11 signatories has a duty as a serious media house to report the news as it happens and not orchestrate what we have seen over the week. It is a classic example of what is defined as yellow journalism.

  17. ac Avatar
    ac

    @true to form Spoken like aTRUE political HACK

  18. lemuel Avatar
    lemuel

    I find it very interesting that none of these elven rebels have said that they instructed no one to write a letter seeking a meeting with PM Stuart on their behalf. None of you have explained yet why and with all the communication avenues open to them that this gang of eleven would have to resort to the writing of a letter. All of the spin here does not help the case of the first in politics in Barbados the people are seeing such naked unabashed political play for power by a few desperate politicians. This is even worse than 1994 and the Sandi episode.

  19. true to for, Avatar
    true to for,

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with owen becoming PM again .With a sterling record of performance and a example of proper economic stewardship would you like for him to be Pm again soon? this is a poor onon performing bunch. Arent you ashamed of them Iam. Think on these things

  20. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    lemuel,
    To prove indeed that there was a plot and to show who or whom were involved, are you going to show BU the contents of Chris Sinckler’s BB message to his co-conspirators? Are you not hearing that Hartley Henry is the brains behind this?

  21. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    David,

    Just a small point. Can you change the “e” in Fontabelle to an “a” please. I know it is a typo error. Thanks.

  22. David Avatar
    David

    As BU indicated in this blog we have messages to our inbox which suggest the Nation has a copy of a draft letter which was given to the editor of the nation who went to print with it. BU sincerely hopes this is not the case. We all look forward to the Nation’s Sunday publication.

  23. Liberal Avatar
    Liberal

    Waiting on the letter like the rest of Barbados.Only hope am not unlucky when I get to my favourite vendor that all gone,cause I know from early the online access going be maxed out.

  24. Cannon Avatar
    Cannon

    @ David

    Time is running out for the Nation. Have you noticed then everyone has formed the opinion that the Nation has said it will publish the Letter, when nothing thus far from the Nation says it intends to publish the letter? These little tricks by the Nation do their reputation no good whatsoever, it is as if they think the reading public of Barbados are children.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Prodigal Son

    Thanks!

  26. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Hi David,
    The DAMAGE to the DLP has already been done. Amused whose opinions are always worth serious thought here was of the opinion that a backlash could be counterproductive. However, I believe this would only be the case if it could be “proved” that a member of Parliament of the BLP was involved.

    If it is that people not parliamentarians were involved, the damage would still be done to the DLP in that a perception would be that there was not the harmony in the DLP that some of us believed.

    To-getherness one of the main elements of the DLP’s election strategy ….has been removed at a stroke.

    Even if a letter is produced and that is a distinct possibility; the issue here is what was written in the “first article” because it is that article which has caused the damage. The rowing-back from that position now to – ON BEHALF – is of little consequence….because the damage has been done.

  27. Julie B Avatar
    Julie B

    “BU was born in April 2007 because we felt the media was being intimidated by the Arthur administration.”
    —————————————————–
    THIS IS A SAD AND BIASED REASON
    UNTRUTHFUL AND UNSATISFACTORY
    NOTHING YOU SAY AGAINST THE BLP IS NOW CREDIBLE
    AFTER THIS STATEMENT
    YOU STAND CONDEMNED
    I dare you to publish this comment
    Dare You NOW !

  28. WordSong Avatar
    WordSong

    PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM

    A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
    After extended examination by journalists themselves of the character of journalism at the end of the twentieth century, we offer this common understanding of what defines our work. The central purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with accurate and reliable information they need to function in a free society.
    This encompasses myriad roles–helping define community, creating common language and common knowledge, identifying a community’s goals, heros and villains, and pushing people beyond complacency. This purpose also involves other requirements, such as being entertaining, serving as watchdog and offering voice to the voiceless.
    Over time journalists have developed nine core principles to meet the task. They comprise what might be described as the theory of journalism:
    1. JOURNALISM’S FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO THE TRUTH
    Democracy depends on citizens having reliable, accurate facts put in a meaningful context. Journalism does not pursue truth in an absolute or philosophical sense, but it can–and must–pursue it in a practical sense. This “journalistic truth” is a process that begins with the professional discipline of assembling and verifying facts. Then journalists try to convey a fair and reliable account of their meaning, valid for now, subject to further investigation. Journalists should be as transparent as possible about sources and methods so audiences can make their own assessment of the information. Even in a world of expanding voices, accuracy is the foundation upon which everything else is built–context, interpretation, comment, criticism, analysis and debate. The truth, over time, emerges from this forum. As citizens encounter an ever greater flow of data, they have more need–not less–for identifiable sources dedicated to verifying that information and putting it in context.

    2. ITS FIRST LOYALTY IS TO CITIZENS
    While news organizations answer to many constituencies, including advertisers and shareholders, the journalists in those organizations must maintain allegiance to citizens and the larger public interest above any other if they are to provide the news without fear or favor. This commitment to citizens first is the basis of a news organization’s credibility, the implied covenant that tells the audience the coverage is not slanted for friends or advertisers. Commitment to citizens also means journalism should present a representative picture of all constituent groups in society. Ignoring certain citizens has the effect of disenfranchising them. The theory underlying the modern news industry has been the belief that credibility builds a broad and loyal audience, and that economic success follows in turn. In that regard, the business people in a news organization also must nurture–not exploit–their allegiance to the audience ahead of other considerations.

    3. ITS ESSENCE IS A DISCIPLINE OF VERIFICATION
    Journalists rely on a professional discipline for verifying information. When the concept of objectivity originally evolved, it did not imply that journalists are free of bias. It called, rather, for a consistent method of testing information–a transparent approach to evidence–precisely so that personal and cultural biases would not undermine the accuracy of their work. The method is objective, not the journalist. Seeking out multiple witnesses, disclosing as much as possible about sources, or asking various sides for comment, all signal such standards. This discipline of verification is what separates journalism from other modes of communication, such as propaganda, fiction or entertainment. But the need for professional method is not always fully recognized or refined. While journalism has developed various techniques for determining facts, for instance, it has done less to develop a system for testing the reliability of journalistic interpretation.

    4. ITS PRACTITIONERS MUST MAINTAIN AN INDEPENDENCE FROM THOSE THEY COVER
    Independence is an underlying requirement of journalism, a cornerstone of its reliability. Independence of spirit and mind, rather than neutrality, is the principle journalists must keep in focus. While editorialists and commentators are not neutral, the source of their credibility is still their accuracy, intellectual fairness and ability to inform–not their devotion to a certain group or outcome. In our independence, however, we must avoid any tendency to stray into arrogance, elitism, isolation or nihilism.

    5. IT MUST SERVE AS AN INDEPENDENT MONITOR OF POWER
    Journalism has an unusual capacity to serve as watchdog over those whose power and position most affect citizens. The Founders recognized this to be a rampart against despotism when they ensured an independent press; courts have affirmed it; citizens rely on it. As journalists, we have an obligation to protect this watchdog freedom by not demeaning it in frivolous use or exploiting it for commercial gain.

    6. IT MUST PROVIDE A FORUM FOR PUBLIC CRITICISM AND COMPROMISE
    The news media are the common carriers of public discussion, and this responsibility forms a basis for our special privileges. This discussion serves society best when it is informed by facts rather than prejudice and supposition. It also should strive to fairly represent the varied viewpoints and interests in society, and to place them in context rather than highlight only the conflicting fringes of debate. Accuracy and truthfulness require that as framers of the public discussion we not neglect the points of common ground where problem solving occurs.

    7. IT MUST STRIVE TO MAKE THE SIGNIFICANT INTERESTING AND RELEVANT
    Journalism is storytelling with a purpose. It should do more than gather an audience or catalogue the important. For its own survival, it must balance what readers know they want with what they cannot anticipate but need. In short, it must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant. The effectiveness of a piece of journalism is measured both by how much a work engages its audience and enlightens it. This means journalists must continually ask what information has most value to citizens and in what form. While journalism should reach beyond such topics as government and public safety, a journalism overwhelmed by trivia and false significance ultimately engenders a trivial society.

    8. IT MUST KEEP THE NEWS COMPREHENSIVE AND PROPORTIONAL
    Keeping news in proportion and not leaving important things out are also cornerstones of truthfulness. Journalism is a form of cartography: it creates a map for citizens to navigate society. Inflating events for sensation, neglecting others, stereotyping or being disproportionately negative all make a less reliable map. The map also should include news of all our communities, not just those with attractive demographics. This is best achieved by newsrooms with a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. The map is only an analogy; proportion and comprehensiveness are subjective, yet their elusiveness does not lessen their significance.

    9. ITS PRACTITIONERS MUST BE ALLOWED TO EXERCISE THEIR PERSONAL CONSCIENCE
    Every journalist must have a personal sense of ethics and responsibility–a moral compass. Each of us must be willing, if fairness and accuracy require, to voice differences with our colleagues, whether in the newsroom or the executive suite. News organizations do well to nurture this independence by encouraging individuals to speak their minds. This stimulates the intellectual diversity necessary to understand and accurately cover an increasingly diverse society. It is this diversity of minds and voices, not just numbers, that matters.
    (Taken from Pew Research Centre’s Project for Excellence in Journalism @http://www.journalism.org/resources/principles)

  29. Julie B Avatar
    Julie B

    Only DLP supporters are waiting on the letter
    All others know that the DLP is wasted and the sooner they demit Office the better.

  30. Chuckles Avatar
    Chuckles

    I am convinced that English is not Kaymar Jordan’s first language. On the front page of the Nation Newspaper 3 days ago , she writes ‘They are the 11 dissatisfied Members of Parliament who have been seeking an urgent audience with the Prime Minister Freundel Stuart”…. Unbelievable …Is she a mind-reader? in the absence of proof of fact by written or oral evidence that these people are dissatisfied , how could she print such nonsense?. Cud dear, she could have said that they are the 11 MPs who, it is alleged,, are dissatisfied etc. etc. etc.

  31. WordSong Avatar
    WordSong

    In brief:

    TRUTH: Journalists should be as transparent as possible about sources and methods so audiences can make their own assessment of the information.

    LOYALITY TO CITIZENS: This commitment to citizens first is the basis of a news organization’s credibility, the implied covenant that tells the audience the coverage is not slanted for friends or advertisers.

    VERIFICATION: Seeking out multiple witnesses, disclosing as much as possible about sources, or asking various sides for comment, all signal such standards. This discipline of verification is what separates journalism from other modes of communication, such as propaganda, fiction or entertainment.

    INDEPENDENCE: While editorialists and commentators are not neutral, the source of their credibility is still their accuracy, intellectual fairness and ability to inform–not their devotion to a certain group or outcome

    MONITOR OF POWER: An obligation to protect this watchdog freedom by not demeaning it in frivolous use or exploiting it for commercial gain.

    FORUM FOR CRITICISM: It also should strive to fairly represent the varied viewpoints and interests in society, and to place them in context rather than highlight only the conflicting fringes of debate.

    MAKE THE SIGNIFICANT INTERESTING AND RELEVANT : This means journalists must continually ask what information has most value to citizens and in what form

    COMPREHENSIVE AND PROPORTIONAL NEWS: Keeping news in proportion and not leaving important things out are also cornerstones of truthfulness. .. Inflating events for sensation, neglecting others, stereotyping or being disproportionately negative all make a less reliable map.

    PERSONAL CONSCIENCE: Every journalist must have a personal sense of ethics and responsibility–a moral compass

  32. 9 inches of Snow Avatar
    9 inches of Snow

    The above by WORDSONG is some therorist’s opinion
    It is not cast in stone

    Please come into the real world
    It is about people and emotions-feelings
    Leave that crap for the texts books and people who want to demonstrate and show offf

  33. true to form Avatar
    true to form

    The Dems have given the Nation to opportunity to make a million and you think they should give up on the chance. How pathetic and unreal. If the Dems do foolishness milk it to death. Sunday would not be the last . Points and counter points will be adduced and therre probably another million The Nation will be smiling all the way to the bank and the damage has already been done. Think on these things

  34. Amused Avatar
    Amused

    @Yardbroom. I am not sure you are right when you say, “However, I believe this would only be the case if it could be “proved” that a member of Parliament of the BLP was involved.” Mind you, I am not saying that you are wrong. However, Bajans are not fools and we are well accustomed to bizarre and incredible conspiracy theories turning out to be true. I think that if the Nation fails to publish a signed letter or to provide the fully authenticated name of the person who provided it with the (draft?) letter, everyone will have their doubts, whether 50/50, or 60/40, or whatever as to whether it was real or whether it was a set-up by the opposition. If the Nation fails to publish a signed (and authentically signed) copy of the letter, in my humble submission, it must publish the authenticated name of its source. For without that the whole matter is in doubt. Serious doubt. Now we know that if those 11 people sue for defamation, it is highly likely that the courts will order the Nation to disclose their source, as the defamation (and the damages therefrom, if proved) will extend to that person as well. But we also know that it could take quite a while before the matter comes before the courts – and I would hate like hell to think that if the letter is a political sham that those perpetrating it might benefit from it at election time. That would be one the grossest miscarriages of justice imaginable.

    What I am saying is that if the letter proves to be a “draft” without signatures and unverifiable even as a draft, the internal problems of the DLP are insignificant compared to the wider issue that David has identified in his excellent summary and comments.

    BTW, I am touched that you give my opinions far greater weight than they receive in my home.

  35. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Word is Owen Arthur issued a gag order to his troops disuntied as they are ,it appears to be holding. Bees relishing the pr windfall from Dem amateurs. Big big mistake by Dems its interesting Neville Duncan thinks they can rebound.
    Question is who more believable Duncan or Wickham?

  36. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    What comedy, persons who so often besmirch other people’s character on this blog without producing one shred of evidence are now demanding proof from the Nation newspaper–a newspaper that repeatedly carried stories slanted to promote the DLP prior to January 2008 without proper investigation.
    The FACT is that in depth analysis and investigation remain foreign to the newspapers in Barbados. Here is a good example. The kingmaker declared that the late PM delivered a political speech on his deathbed the night he died; yet recently Mara gave a totally different account of those last hours. She said he was babbling!!! The Nation reported both stories and never once commented on the inconsistencies.

  37. WordSong Avatar
    WordSong

    @ 9 inches of snow
    You clearly do not live in the real world as you have no idea of the role played by media in reshaping recent world political events. And you obviously did not read that the information came from:

    Taken from Pew Research Centre’s Project for Excellence in Journalism @http://www.journalism.org/resources/principles)

    Another thing: you have confirmed that the Nation has practiced unethical journalism.

    I for one am not supporting it. As I said before, I have my rights too and they will not impose on me their unsound wisdom with my consent.

    Politicians on both sides of the fence are trying to separate the message from the messenger on FB and here. Theory my dear is derived from practice and vice versa. You can’t separate the two anymore than you can separate the Nation’s obscure and unclear message and poor journalistic practice from the unprincipled so-called democratic process now reigning in this country.

    We are a Nation in decline ethically and morally and you certainly confirm this by the stance you have taken.

    The overwhelming opinion of people on David’s blog is that the Nation acted incorrectly.

    I just read S. Husband’s comments on FB. I can’t believe that she would dare to think that this issue does not merit the widest commentary possible and firm criticism and censoring of the Nation’s position.

    Congratulations David on having the courage to bring this to the forefront. It is certainly worthy of a UWI study: The Nation Newspaper as the arbiter of justice and truth in contemporary Barbados or something like that.

  38. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    Interesting extract from the DLP’s column ‘Douglas Leopold Phillips” in today’s newspapers:

    “The media continue to find creative ways of selling their papers and getting the news to the public. However, how does a society reconcile the rapid denial by people whose names have been published by the media house? Where does a media house stand on the accuracy of a story? Does the media house take the word of one person/persons who may have delivered the letter implicating others occupying public office?”

    The last sentence is very instructive.

  39. ac Avatar
    ac

    A sure bet The Nation newspaper would never be Awarded the prestigiousb and coveted honor for Excellence in journalism.

  40. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Amused wrote “But we also know that it could take quite a while before the matter comes before the courts.”

    Yes Amused. Nuff billable hours fuh de Lawyers.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    It is sad that as citizens we allow our narrative on this matter to be shackled by political prism. The NATION newspaper has stated it has a letter signed by 11 disaffected DLP members. It light of its responsibility to report news as it happens the decision to ration the news is a clear violation of the tenets of good journalism. To those who muddy this issue by referring to the DLP issue is disingenuous at best.

    We have two different issues playing out here and BU as always will deal with them both.

  42. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @Anon

    Word is Owen Arthur issued a gag order to his troops disuntied as they are ,it appears to be holding. Bees relishing the pr windfall from Dem amateurs.
    ********************
    Seems entirely plausible, Owen was burned in his unseemly haste to take over the reins when he discovered that Thompson’s illness was terminal. Now he will be patient so as not to appear too eager to profit from others misfortune. He will bide his time and hope that the Dems cannibalise each other.

  43. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    David

    It is sad that as citizens we allow our narrative on this matter to be shackled by political prism
    ******************************
    It is true that some show their political colours by their comments but some of us are trying to bring the Nation to task for their coverage on this blog, what other recourse do we have?. It is not like we can complain to the editor or The Barbados Press Council but this is what passes for journalism in Barbados. It seems like the Nation is acting more like a political party rather than a periodical that is supposed to report the news. Why else would they put photos up and label them with a tag “not me” for those who have denied signing the letter? Wouldn’t a simple report saying that A, B or C have denied knowledge/signing suffice?

    In politics if you throw enough mud some of it will stick and this is precisely what the Nation is doing.

  44. T J Avatar
    T J

    If the DLP was sue-happy like the BLP, the Nation wouldn’t be printing innuendo against the DLP, The certainly dont to it to the BLP.

    I hope, just like Noel Lynch vs Starcom, all the ’11’ successfully sues the Nation for a good piece of change. They got to learn to be fair and balanced.

  45. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    It could be ….and this is only a supposition that in the term the “eager eleven” therein is the sub-text message. Who is eager to lead? is the Nation challenging the person responsible to come clean and fall on his/her – I had to use her to be fair – sword, and walk into the wilderness. Is the Nation saying I am taking you with me my friend.

  46. Amused Avatar
    Amused

    @Hants | December 16, 2011 at 2:34 PM. How very true!!!! And thanks ought to be given to those who truly arranged these massive fees, don’t you think.

  47. Julie B Avatar
    Julie B

    Some of you people have committed the error of passing judgment too early

  48. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Here is the startling truth about the CADRES poll. It was commissioned in June 2011 by senior members of the Democratic Labour Party, and with the knowledge and blessings of its leader Freundel Stuart.

    Mr Stuart was questioned about the results of the poll, it being so close to the election, and he simply stupsed and flew off to China.

    The members of the party are rightly concerned that its leader has little to say or do in response, the poll after all was not a free exercise. Mr. Stuart should do the right thing and step aside, before it is too late.

  49. Undertaker Avatar
    Undertaker

    David, as I said before and say again I believe this letter will have NAMES and not signatures, if I am wrong I will come and apologise.

  50. Porter Avatar
    Porter

    One thing is for sure about this episode is that the leadership of the DLP is a problem, I understand that members of the party approached the GG about the matter before.
    Some MPs need to come forward and say something. Say that they have a problem with the leadership. Dont hide it.
    Now is the time

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