Editorial
Leave Pontificationswhere it belongs on the Pulpit
It is always amusing when media criticsmount their proverbial soapbox and lecture anyone who will listen,about ethics, slander, and libel.
Normally, you will find that those sameself-appointed media gurus quote one of the biggest fallaciesof all: "the public has the right to know." Becausethe truth is, that was a defence called out by journalists who,in fact committed slanderous and libelous acts to cover themselves.
Bruce Blake, a member of the United DemocraticParty, published a full-page advertisement in this issue in whichhe pontificated about several issues ranging from members of themedia getting together to check themselves, unruly members ofthe public taking pot shots at officials (we'd like to know whichof his "official" friends took it on the chin), andmaintaining objectivity within the press.
Well, if this were Journalism 101, the contentsof the advertisement would provide juicy fodder for a Universityfreshman's first term paper.
But diatribe steeped in hypocrisy shouldbe saved for one's personal diary and not splayed out for publicconsumption.
On July 17, Radio Cayman hosted a "TalkToday" show in which senior members of Cayman media outletsgot together to discuss the role of the press. It was an all-encompassingdebate over ethics, objectivity and the kitchen sink. Yet, theunbiased agenda took on a very partisan protocol with some membersof the press being hand picked and others being excluded.
Cayman Net News is not licking its woundsfor not being invited. Simply put, if Mr. Blake practised whathe preached, he would find that his actions contradict his words.He believes in allowing both sides to tell their tale in any topiccovered by the media. Yet he often criticises this publicationwithout giving Cayman Net News the voice he claims everyone shouldhave.
Hypocrisy is a terribly revealing idiosyncrasy.If Mr. Blake believed that everyone should have the chance tosay their piece, and that the media owes the public fairness andbalance, then why does he open his diatribe with the criticismto radio stations that allow, "callers and contributors tomake damning allegationswithout being sufficiently reined in bythe hosts, or persons with editorial control of the media organ."
He says that such contributors "merelyecho discontent."
How does he know that? Has he tracked everyallegation made by callers and proven them false? Is he that all-knowingand all-seeing? And even if he had, is it truly the media's jobto censor the opinions or experiences of the people?
Well, who is Mr. Blake to qualify the experiencesof such contributors? Moreover, who is he to decide what is justifiedconcern and what is blubbery, particularly when he subscribesto the mantra that everyone should have his or her fair say?
Let's be realistic. There are members ofthe press who choose to insert themselves and their opinions inevery word they write or speak.
Similarly, there are officials with agendas,institutions with questionable practices, and even members ofthe public with hazy motives.
If Cayman Net News published everypiece of information it received daily, it would not hold thereputation it does. Its circulation would not be where it is.And, it would not be taken seriously.
Mr. Blake makes a valid point in that itis the media's job to inform the public of events that affectthem. It is the media's responsibility in articles or reportsto relay information unbiased and balanced and, if possible, toprovide both sides of the debate or argument.
In cases where one side chooses not to speakout, it is not the media's job to defend on their behalf, butto inform the public that the other side could not be relayed,by the freedom of choice of that party.
And if it is the responsibility for themedia outlets of Cayman to come together and agree upon fair andun-slanderous reporting techniques, then why place an advertisementattacking those from whom you expect solidarity.
From our soapbox to yours, those sore loserswhom we beat every time to breaking the news, let's leave thepontifications for the pulpit.