In a lengthy article on the Cayman Islands financial situation earlier this month, the New York Times described the publisher of Cayman Net News as a “lonely voice calling for the financial sector to pull more of its own weight.”

Regrettably, this newspaper is all too often the “lonely voice” in this country in pointing out the inconvenient and uncomfortable truths for those in positions of influence in both the public and private sectors.

The fact that we are currently experiencing some cash flow pressures – in common with many other businesses in the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean and for that matter around the word as well – is no secret but, as always, we are encouraged by the many expressions of support we receive from people in all walks of life, whether locally or overseas.

It is at times like these that we are fortified in our belief that we do speak – albeit as a “lonely voice” – for the silent majority in this country.

But, as we have remarked before, Cayman’s silent majority – a hypothetical large number of people who do not express their opinions publicly – has over the years also been the silenced majority.

Apart from those who don’t have the ability or the time to take an active part in politics other than to vote, others feel inhibited or intimidated from so doing.

In fact, there is a great majority of the Cayman public that is silenced by intimidation, real or perceived, official or unofficial.

For example, civil servants are restricted by Standing Orders from expressing opinions in the media – unless one happens to be a very senior civil servant, in which case the rule of “the law and the Caymanian interpretation of the law” comes into play.

But the rule affecting civil servants also has the practical effect of inhibiting their families as well – who are equally afraid of expressing public opinions lest their civil servant family member “get into trouble”.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the freedom of expression contained in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has, when carried over into our own new constitution, incorporates a restriction on, yes, civil servants.

The new Cayman Islands constitution (section 11) says that no person shall be hindered by government in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of expression… except for the imposition of restrictions on public officers.

No one has yet explained satisfactorily what happens when an unrestricted right or freedom that is enforceable by individual petition to the European Commission of Human Rights conflicts with restrictions contained in our own new Bill of Rights, which will be enforceable (or not) though our local courts.

Recent events have shown once again that this government, in common with its predecessors, has no real interest in enabling, informing or listening to the true majority voice in the Cayman Islands.

And Cayman Net News is by no means alone among local media in coming under pressure from senior government officials – the difference being that this newspaper does not succumb to such pressure as we continue to publish the plain, unvarnished truth without fear or favour.

What must we make of the senior leadership of this country who, we are reliably informed, in the Legislative Assembly recently accused a reporter from another local publication of being a “white Desmond Seales”?

After years of xenophobic antagonism towards foreigners, is the government now resorting to racial epithets to stir up further contention and division with a view to intimidating local media not to speak out?

It is said that silence is a great motivation – never are the socially dispossessed and disadvantaged so united and, ultimately, galvanised into action as when they are silenced and ignored.

It is, therefore, about time for the socially dispossessed, disadvantaged and ignored private individuals and business owners in the Cayman Islands that make up a large part of the silent majority to remain silent no longer and make their voices heard.

Struggling small businesses will have to bear a proportionately far greater tax burden than the well-off, as will lower paid foreign workers, unless and until they make their voices heard in a manner that gets attention.

Over the years, this newspaper has done what we can in speaking for the people of the Cayman Islands, especially those with no other voice, but we really cannot continue to do this alone, without some expression of public support that will persuade the government that it needs to change its approach.

It has also been said that people should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

The accuracy of this observation needs to be brought home to our own government.