Government has slashed the money it spends on subscriptions and advertising with local newspapers, targeting “the daily newspaper” in particular.
It says that “electronic media outlets” will instead be used for advertising. Hmm, wonder who that might be?
This is being spun as a cost saving measure. In the face of an annual budget that has grown by more than $500 million since the PLP came to power, it’s unlikely that a piddly $42,000 in subscriptions will make much of a dent.
Most locals assume that it is a petty retribution for the media’s pressure for Public Access to Information laws as well as Government’s Privy Council embarrassment.
Or as reported in the Gazette today:
One civil service source said colleagues were suspicious about the rationale behind the move. “I think people are questioning about the freedom of the press, the freedom of expression,” said the source.
Is this about governing or controlling Bermuda?