Dear Sir,

Within democracies, investigative, fact-based and unbiased reporting is a key element in the distribution of knowledge and balance of power. Without engaged and capable media, along with open stakeholder communications, contextual knowledge is not distributed.

And without a strong, unbiased media, a strong judiciary and individuals capable of challenging “nonsense”, democratic systems fail their people, suppressing opportunities to grow and to create jobs as confidence in the system is lost by potential investors.

Without reliable facts, very difficult issues such as immigration become even more emotional and polarising. In Bermuda, I do not believe that the press or anyone else has ever taken the time properly to fully explain how international residents are critical to employment for Bermudians. Instead, the battle rages in the blogs of misinformation and opinion radio.

The people always deserve the truth, but finding it is often difficult. As a businessman, I am concerned that Bermuda is very short on investigative media capability.

Issues that affect all of us need proper researching and the sharing of hard facts.

In addition, there are too few individuals and businesses willing to tackle mistruths when they are spoken.

Those with the data and real-world facts need to be willing to share their knowledge. Subject-matter experts with facts serve to help to counteract the political headline-seeking and, by way of factless entertainment, the social media-supported nonsense that has become part of our daily lives. Like Britain and other countries, we continue to expose ourselves to decisions driven by emotion, half-truths and media operating with their own agendas.

Today more than ever, the world requires fact checks and balances within our democratic systems.

We need a strong, capable and unbiased media, with rational decisions and related public policies from our leaders based upon fact, open communication and dialogue. More than ever, more listening than yelling, along with open and respectful debate, is needed.

As a society, we err if we assume that most people will be wise enough to ignore “the nonsense noise”, and we blindly believe that people will see through the mistruths. I encourage Bermuda’s stakeholders, the holders of hard facts and data, to be brave enough publicly to challenge those who seek to forward their own private agendas.

Stand up and share your perspective. As stakeholders, we all need to be engaged, bold, respectful, fair, empathetic and heard publicly when needed. Share your unique knowledge and perspective in a positive manner and you will help your country.

BERMUDA BUSINESSMAN