The PLP’s attacks on the Royal Gazette have now attracted the attention of the organisers of Sunshine Week, the international event celebrating “freedom of information” laws that is supported by the American Society of Newpaper Editors.
It was after the Royal Gazette’s participation in Sunshine Week that Government removed its subscriptions, advertising, and sponsorship from publications associated with the newspaper.
The fact is, that despite paying years of lip service to freedom of information, the Bermuda Government is doing little to implement it. Moreover, the PLP is using the offices of Government to punish members of the media for lobbying in favour of increased public transparency and accountability.
I am astounded by the underhanded pettiness of the PLP’s attacks on the free press - which have now been rejected by groups as diverse as the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, the Index on Censorship, the UK Press Gazette, Reporters Without Borders, IFEX, the International Freedom of Expression eXchange, and the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).
They PLP would gain a lot more respect if they answered their critics squarely instead of trying to PR spin the troubles away, or scheming to build their own captive media outlets, or seeking to muzzle those who ask inconvenient questions.
Their neo-oligarchy “get over it” approach is bad government and bad for Bermuda.
