Submitted by Chefleur
In a Sunday Nation Article of 2020 – Next Friend not happy her case is thrown out – I reported some anomalies in an elder abuse case in the High Court in Barbados particularly the difficulty in getting the relevant agencies to respond.
First of all, I initiated that article in a social media group intending to do my independent reporting because I was long disillusioned with the negative slant of the Nation Newspapers’ reporting. I was, however, contacted by the Nation Report-Or about it since it was shared with her by a colleague involved in elder abuse also. I sent my typed article via email.
I never stated that I was the Next Friend. I couldn’t have since I am no blood relative of the elder. That’s the hasty conclusion the Report -OR or her Edit-OR who jumped to in an effort to sensationalize a serious issue and increase sales. They only know one thing.
Having merely scanned my complaint then listened to Lashley’s diatribe, the Report-OR went to press without further investigations. Had she gotten off of her hefty laurels and visited the Registry and read the file and made a sound analysis of the legal case and the outcome such nonsense would not have been sold to the Barbados public.
Further, she would have had on record that Lashley was not the Attorney who represented the family in the case and instead would have gone and gotten comments from the representing Attorney. She would also have had even a copy of that first Order that was made and signed by the Judge.
Too often, Nation Reporters are printing lopsided and ridiculously subjective opinions on matters that should be given more serious attention and scholarship. Elder abuse is not your daily Soap Opera.
So one year later this issue has arisen in another country in the Region and the Nation Newspapers and its Report-OR is being held to scrutiny. How different is the legal outcome versus that rubbish?
So my assignment for the Report-Or is to visit the Registry, get the file and write a propper article on the outcome of that elder abuse case that was treated under the Mental Health Act. Find out what because of the Order the judge made and signed.
Journalism is in a crisis in Barbados.
No Ellis.
@ David
After watching the Virgin Island’s Consortium’s news video PLT posted to the ‘Maloney blog,’ after journalists from other media outlets ‘put in all the hard work’ to investigate a ‘breaking news story,’ our journalist ‘copy and paste’ from those sources to their respective print and electronic medias.
However, often when people present a case to praise David Ellis’ journalistic prowess, I’m always hearing he’s a journalist who isn’t afraid to ASK politicians pertinent questions, perhaps based on information, rumour, etc that was in the public domain……..
Are you able to indicate whether or not Ellis has ever used his journalistic expertise to fully investigate an issue, similar to the VIC’s in depth exposé of how Maloney was scammed?
@Artax
No, his reputation comes from being on the wrong side of Tom and OSA. To answer your question – he has not operated on the same scale to what we have seen on the video.
Here is the link Peter posted last night to the other blog.
https://www.facebook.com/viconsortium/videos/162641786024466/
Investigative reporters cannot do their jobs without the 100% backing of their employers.
That is the reality in Barbados.
My, my, my! Follow up!
This is the way it’s done!
This report needs to be published for all Barbadians to hear.
Embarrassing!
For our government, for Mark Maloney and for our so-called reporters.
🎵This is who we are!🎶
@ Donna,
In Barbados…
the employers of your reporters are responsible for the lack of ” investigation “
Agree with Hants, the profession cannot stands on its own, they want the job to put bread on the table. Before that they are not ready to band together to benefit from strength in numbers.
So they get up every morning and go to a sham job.
Still so-called reporters.
Just had a listen to the press conference given by Depeiza and co today addressing concerns about the Maloney matter. Thought it interesting reporters present did not take the opportunity to quiz Depeiza about candidate selection, her candidacy and lack of support from Kellman etc.
@ David
Perhaps the journalists may say that wasn’t the appropriate occasion for them to ask DePeiza those types of questions as you’ve suggested.
However, it was a perfect opportunity for them to ask her and her spokesman on health, how the DLP plans to go about dealing with COVID-19 and what are their policies for a COVID economy.
Then, some DLP operative would want to convince us criticizing vaccines and the vaccination process are sound policy initiatives.
@Artax
No doubt you follow press conferences in other countries and when a good journalist is present they grab the opportunities to pose questions even if they go unanswered. In Barbados we allow politicians to dictate every time. It is time our media players grow backbones.
In the meantime life goes on.
Advocate staff go without pay after late publisher’s assets frozen
https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/24/advocate-staff-go-without-pay-after-late-publishers-assets-frozen/
@ Artax
“ @Artax
No doubt you follow press conferences in other countries and when a good journalist is present they grab the opportunities to pose questions even if they go unanswered. In Barbados we allow politicians to dictate every time. It is time our media players grow backbones.”
You are absolutely correct. We have a tendency to declare people brilliant and supreme when the real evidence is lacking.
Press conferences end up as political speeches. Imagine in a population of around 300,000 , one journalist is considered as competent enough to ask the powerful “ tough” questions.
Then we watch a competent investigative report from another island and everybody exclaims: they nevuh see anything like dah ‘ bout hey.
There is a vast difference between asking questions and investigative journalism.
Where is the investigative report about Cahill? Where is the investigative report regarding Auditors General Reports?
Where is the investigative report regarding the Chinese’s houses?
We are so damn brilliant …..,,…….,,,
@ David
I agree.
And, note, I ‘jokingly’ began my comment with, “perhaps.”
My initial response was, journalists do not ask ‘probing questions’ and allow politicians to control press conferences and the associated narrative towards a direction they (politicians) have already predetermined.
@Artax
Look at the Barbados Advocate situation as an example. We know this has been a hot mess for years, the reporters/âjournalistsâ are paid scratch grain wages. Tell us what will motivate a reporter in those circumstances to offend.
William Skinner September 24, 2021 8:45 AM #: “………… one journalist is considered as competent enough to ask the powerful “ tough” questions.”
“There is a vast difference between asking questions and investigative journalism.”
@ Mr. Skinner
I suggest you read my September 23, 2021 7:12 AM contribution.
@ David
You won’t believe the reporting of local news in ‘The Advocate’ during the 1950s was of superior a standard, when compared with quality of reporting by journalists of this era.
For example, there was an in depth reporting of Court cases then, which gave the reader the impression he/she was present during the trial, as compared with current journalists trying to ‘cut corners’ and report a day’s testimony from 3 or 4 witnesses in two paragraphs.
That’s one of the reasons why I do not rely on newspapers to follow cases.
@Artax
In an environment which is politically led (NGOs hardly show leadership nowadays) we need fourth estate to be sharp!
covid ( over 100 cases per day ), vaccines, scam.
These are problems that have created a National crisis.
I will not write anything else because it could be offensive to some.
@Artax
I did read It and am in full agreement. It was one of the reasons I joined the thread. You are absolutely correct.
I remember when Errol Barrow used to be probed by Glyne Murray.
There are many reasons why I have refrained from commenting on Ellis’ appointment.
My praise of Ellis had nothing to do with journalism or investigative reporting, but with his capacity to converse with the ordinary people in a credible manner.
Anyone who had a transistor radio that could tune into the BBC has long been aware of how investigative reporting is done in more developed countries.
And then came MCTV and CNN!
And now the internet and almost unlimited examples worldwide.
Asking tough questions without pressing further for credible answers does have the effect of drawing the listeners’ mind to the issues but following up to verify is another level altogether.
Follow up provides us with proof.
From poor to poorer.
Source: Nation
Why is this article pinned at the top of Barbados Today online page?
Sandals chairman cops prestigious award:
https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/25/sandals-chairman-cops-prestigious-award/ https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/25/sandals-chairman-cops-prestigious-award/
Inquiring minds want to know when will Atherley in his capacity as chair of the PAC submit the Transport Board Report ?
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
,@7:21
This wee, I find myself trying to determine if EA was trying to be a numerologist. I will wait until next week to see if his post deals with horoscopes.
You may not believe this but I am a great an of the blogmaster. However, these weekly imposition is causing my love to falter.
Still working on the Michelle Russel piece.
Are people still reading Ezra Alleyne? His tales in history mean about as much to me as the national anthem these days.
How much has what he presents as great moments in history had a beneficial effect on the masses of people?
What is their significance to today’s people?
At this time, people I know are more concerned with the date and time of their next meal!
A good Sunday lunch on September the 26th, 2021 would be a more memorable event for many.
But his belly is full so he can shit nuff!