Mac Criticises Local Radio Call-in Talk Shows In Assembly

Hon McKeeva Bush	Barrie Quappe	Joel Francis

Friday, July 9, 2004

The Leader of Government Business, Hon McKeeva Bush, criticized local radio shows during his address at the 2004 opening of Legislative Assembly last Friday, claiming they were not impartial.

Mr Bush strayed from the text of his speech to make the critical remarks about radio call-in talk shows.

“During my time as Leader of Government Business, I have opened up new opportunities for our people to contribute to our political discourse and comment on our Government's policies,” he said, “This has meant being more transparent and open than we have ever been before.

“Inevitably such openness can encourage criticism of Government, but that is the nature of a mature democracy. We should not be afraid of responsible debate and constructive engagement, and I am proud that we now have the most open civil society, ever enjoyed in the Cayman Islands.

“Although I must add that the open radio shows are still not as educational or impartial as they should be,” he said.

The host of Radio Cayman’s call-in show, Joel Francis, said the programmes serve a purpose. “I think they’re a useful barometer for the citizens and representatives of the country to get a measure of what some of the issues are with the people, both positive and negative.”

Rooster 101’s Barrie Quappe, the host of Cayman’s other call-in radio show, agreed with the first part of Mr Bush’s statement. “I think the Minister is quite correct that the open dialogue has increased with the introduction of talk shows, and I’d like to see more.”

Mrs Quappe disagreed, however, with the notion that her programme was biased. “We’ve never had any interference from management,” she said. “Some have attempted to, but not succeeded, and our lines are always open to everyone.”

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