IPI scaremongering

May 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

This is a response to comments made in The Royal Gazette newspaper by the International Press Institution's Director, David Dodge, published on May 18, 2010.

False alarm and scaremongering are the words to explain comments made by the International Press Institute (IPI) regarding the draft Bill Media Council Act 2010. For the IPI to state categorically:

"The Bermuda Government has drafted a controversial media bill that appears to have more in common with media legislation of some of the repressive governments in Latin America, than with the First Amendment tradition of one of its close trading partners, the United States."

To the IPI Director, David Dodge, I say until you have researched the historical background of Bermuda to understand why this piece of proposed legislation is both necessary and timely then you may not be so quick to twist your pen as a knife to compare us to the repressive governments of Latin America.

Historically Bermuda like many islands of the Caribbean, some countries of Latin America, notably Brazil, United States and Great Britain, where Africans were enslaved and worked as animals for the economic benefit of their masters each country has shown dissimilarities in its national identity for citizens of African descent. But I cannot speak with any authority about each of the above noted countries except Bermuda my homeland.

In Bermuda slavery had very deep roots because it was enshrined in law, but on the 1st day of August 1884 slavery was abolished by law in Bermuda. Yet the 1884 Act did not eliminate, stem or desist in the practice of racial discrimination or dismantle the policies of institutional racism (practices of discrimination within the government); the latter being the most deadly to black Bermudians. Institutional racism (government policies and programmes that selected whites over blacks) remain in effect, some may argue, until the PLP government came into power in 1998, but I think that under the UBP government of Sir John Swan solid economic strides were made. But their attempts at dealing with racism were tepid at best.

In Bermuda one can successfully argue that the second most powerful entity (the first being the government of Bermuda) was and still is the media. And, The Royal Gazette has led the media at times with exclusive dominance. So during our protracted era when blacks fought for justice against a racist regime, the government, The Royal Gazette was not our champion for justice and fair treatment, but rather it became a tentacle of the regime. For when blacks were weeded into courts under unjust laws and deadly institutional policies, The Royal Gazette reported those cases not in a fair and unbiased manner, nor did its editorials advocate for justice, respect and the fair treatment of fellow human beings, but it did strenuously advocate for the rule of law and the application of the most cruel punishment under law.

Without exception, in my opinion, the newspaper sided with unjust laws, policies and programmes that dealt the harshest treatment to blacks.

Today The Royal Gazette newspaper still reports in the courts and whereas it may be more circumspect, for those who are still being unfairly treated by the media at large, the only recourse is the very expensive, protracted avenue of court proceedings, of which many individuals cannot not afford to embark upon. So, I welcome this new piece of legislation, as my only criticism is, where is the mechanism in the Act to compensate the successful complainant?

Historically we know that the media has not always been on the side of justice, truth and integrity and, in modern day we know that the media can and does still trample on rights, privacy and freedoms of the individuals in its quest in the 'public interest.' Just look at the Michael Douglas/Catherine Zeta-Jones vs. Hello! case in Great Britain, where the contractual agreement between Douglas/Zeta-Jones and OK magazine was destroyed when Hello! magazine sent an undercover photographer to take illicit pictures of their wedding to publish those pictures for no other reason then for the massive commercial profits derived because of the 'public interest' in their wedding. This may be a British case but the Douglas' are beloved residents of Bermuda who enjoy their privacy here and, our laws should protect Bermudians, residents and visitors alike from the intrusive, cattle herd intensity of the global media as we have seen displayed on TV too often.

Finally, Mr Dodge, two years ago I privately lobbied the Cabinet Office (office of the premier) requesting that the government setup a Media Council in Bermuda. I lobbied and advocated for its creation so that Bermudians who have been treated unfairly by the media will have the opportunity to lodge a valid complaint, have that complaint heard, investigated and decided upon without incurring massive legal bills. So I look forward in having that Bill voted into law as cutting edge legislation that can be adopted by other jurisdictions.

VALIRIE MARCIA AKINSTAL

London, UK

T-shirt rule is questioned

May 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

Please allow me the space in your paper to express my dissatisfaction and frustration in regards to an incident which recently happened.

A few friends and I decided to go to 'The Beach' on Front Street before heading home one evening. At the entrance I was stopped by security who then pointed at a sign stating that white T-shirts was not permitted in the bar. I was handed a jacket which my friend was wearing to put over my white shirt to avoid a problem. I was then allowed entry.

Once inside I noticed two others with plain white t-shirts on, which baffled me. I approached one of the staff members and asked "What is your policy in regards to white T-shirts", to which it was explained that they were not permitted. After pointing out two others who had on white T-shirts; I was told "Hey, What can I say?" and then the staff member walked off.

The purpose of this letter is not to accuse anyone of racism, however; it was hard not to notice that the other two gentleman wearing white T-shirts were Caucasian foreign nationals. I must admit I felt singled out due to my race and nationality.

Small establishments like this should realise that during the winter months, it's the locals who support their businesses when there are not many visitors.

Perhaps they should think twice before discriminating against the locals.

PARCHED

Pembroke

I applaud Minister Burch

May 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

As Minister Burch's most ardent supporter I must, once again, applaud him for his ability to stand up and speak his mind.

Not only that he does it all in ten minutes.

He is quite right. Bermudians should marry Bermudians preferably our cousins and if we do marry a foreigner, well, why shouldn't the Government be able to look into bank accounts and check utility bills to see who is paying what?

He is a consummate politician not many people seem to understand this fact and I must urge them to look closely at his record. He is able to adapt to any situation. When he was in the army he had an accent straight out of the BBC. Now, he is a man of the people and talks just like those "byes" who hang out at the yacht club. Not everyone can do that.

Senator Burch would like The Royal Gazette to pull up its socks. Mr. Editor, if you would only run things by Sen. Burch first, he'd probably come around to your point of view. The ball, Sir, is in your court on that issue.

Sen. Burch's other gripe is right on the money e-mails should be counted and not read.

I saw where he was really annoyed with the MP's who flip-flopped in the gambling debate. I'm sorry to have to say that I think the Senator got that bit wrong it was the Deputy Premier's fault. Without warning, she changed tack and took a leadership position and actually stood up and made her views clear she was the one who made a couple of those MP's flip. Who would know she'd do that?

I confess to a certain amount of confusion when I read that Senator Burch deplored the fact that: "We have members of the legislature who don't even understand the legislative process." I hate to admit it, but I think he made a mistake there, too. I thought the whole idea was to try to elect or appoint people who would believe everything the Premier and the Senator say. Obviously, if that was the case, understanding the legislative process would be way over their heads.

Which brings me to my final point. As we all know, Senator Burch was appointed to Cabinet by the Premier, so, it would follow that his position depends on the Premier. He needs to pay attention, watch his back and update himself. There are now only three other people in the whole of Bermuda who believe anything the Premier says. They are Senator Marc Bean, Jamal Simmons and Zane Desilva MP. Nobody else believes a word, although it is nice to think that the Russians might.

KATH BELL

Paget