Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs asked 721 News owner Gromyko Wilson to leave before last Wednesday’s weekly press briefing because he is government personnel, despite his having attended several times in the past. During the usual question and answer period she explained that civil servants require prior approval for such “nevenfuncties” (auxiliary functions) and it was a bit “unorthodox” to have an employee on working time present.
The prime minister talked about complaints regarding the way press briefings are conducted, referring to a revisited 2017 policy of the Department of Communication DComm for such and being “very, very strict” to ensure a high level of information sharing, the types of questions being asked as well, and where it is being published. She followed that up with Monday’s announcement (see related story) that the updated policy would go into effect and media representatives need to reapply for a – new – press pass by May 1.
The release spoke of “rising concerns as to the level of questions” and said the platform cannot be one in which the media are on a witch hunt to spread rumours or confidential information, adding that … “it is at the discretion of DComm and ultimately the Council of Ministers who will determine the calibre of reporting/journalism permitted to question the executive branch. …”
The statement continued: “Topics should be geared as per the policies, programmes, etc. of government in the interest of informing, not misinforming the general public.”
That is not the kind of language one would like to hear in a democratic society where press freedom plays a key role and it’s hardly necessary. After all, the prime minister herself said that “media partners” for the most part have participated under the guidelines of the now-adjusted policy.
The argument that attendance at press briefings as journalists by civil servants can be considered in conflict with their function is not without merit, although there are no doubt others dealing directly with government in different capacities. Creating the general impression of a below-par press corps, however, is entirely something else.
Local media outlets are far from perfect, with small market limitations and relatively – just like the rest of the island – difficult circumstances to operate in due to periodic crises such as major hurricane hits and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. But – let’s face it – ministers have not exactly been without fault either.
More straightforward and complete answers even when perhaps less politically convenient too would contribute greatly to enhanced transparency and better-quality live press briefings. “Raising the bar” is thus a two-way street.
