The unprecedented decision by a minister of the crown to instigate legal action against Omar Watson because he posted a Facebook status which caused him distress and anxiety continues to be a source of annoyance to the BU household. The more you think about it, sub judice or not, it is a frivolous action, and when viewed together with the dry talk from minister of drainage Denis Lowe – there appears an obvious attempt by members of the government of Barbados to intimidate Barbadians who operate in the social media universe. BU does not condone misuse of social media and parties who abuse it should be aware there are consequences.
The racial tension playing out in cities across the USA should serve as a reminder to local authorities what is possible when citizens believe they are being ignored. Barbadians have always been regarded by our neighbours as a docile people, always willing to avoid conflict. Some regard it as a positive quality and others suggest it creates the opportunity to be manipulated by others. In recent years more Barbadians have been driven to social media platforms to voice ‘real’ concerns about matters affecting them. Authority figures should thread carefully before trying to enforce any attempt to quell citizen opinions posted to social media platforms. Instead, they should leverage social media to offer rebuttals and clarification statements to bring balance and truth to the public. How many political figures in Barbados maintain an active social media presence outside of an election period?
The bigger irony in the matter playing out is use of the Computer Misuse Act by Lashley which appears to be irrelevant to the times. We have a minister of the crown who sits on the front bench and is responsible for enacting relevant legislation would seek to use the current law to bully a Facebook poster merits careful review. Until Minister Michael Lashley brought this frivolous matter less than two or three thousand would have been privy to the status message. What was the status message anyway, was it that some alleged he received some blows at St. Catherine Sports Club and had to beat a hasty exit to his BMW SUV? Barbadians are known to spice an argument by adding the colloquialism, you doan know you want killing. Many of us have used the reference at some time or the other.
BU is sure if the late Prime Minister David Thompson was alive DLP actors would be more comfortable handling criticism in the social media. What we are witnessing is the most unpopular government in our history reacting; lashing out wildly. What will we witness next, Minister Denis Lowe doing the same? Why doesn’t Minister Lowe face the public to refute an alleged transaction of which he is aware. Something to do with an account, millions, family dispute, Financial Intelligence Unit etc., etc., etc. What about the Cahill-Energy deal and B’s Recycling? What are you not telling us Minister Lowe?
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