In 2006 the then Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley made the following statement while addressing the opening of a week long conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region at Hilton Barbados.
POPULAR ELECTRONIC OUTLETS for citizens to air their views like call-in programmes and Internet blogs ought to have a “framework of accountability”…. “[Blogs] will marginalise our existence as parliaments and will cause disrespect, not just for the rule of law, but for the institutions that are required to keep our societies safe– Regulate call-in shows, says Mottley
At the time her comments were targeted (we suspect) mainly at the inactive Barbados Free Press blog. We admit the Barbados blogosphere has become more virulent(?) since Mottley’s remarks if we include all social media platforms. It is true many abuse social media, however -it has served to throw rocks at the establishment as a means to mobilize change by giving a voice to ordinary citizens.
It is important Mia Mottley -the prime minister in waiting- updates the nation on this matter. The rise of social media has served to empower ordinary people everywhere and we expect that Mia Mottley operating under her own steam has accepted social media for the value it adds to our democracy. Update us please.
See what just occurred in Tanzania!
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