Vexed Bermoothes

Bermudians are remarkably forgiving of our political leaders hijinks even when they cost us serious money, damage our economy, and erode our rights.

Outsiders, however, often see clearly when things are not right.

The director of the International Press Institute just published a scathing blogitorial on Dr. Brown’s Media Suppression Bill.

Although the media are supposed to be independent, governments cannot resist the temptation to pass laws that promise independence, while seeking control of the media…

Across the globe, there are numerous governments unable to keep their hands off the media. These governments do not believe in the media operating in their own space, and they want control – not independence – for journalists.

In Bermuda, so close to that First Amendment bastion, the United States, that it shares the same international dialing code, Premier Ewart Brown recently said “…this Government recognises that keeping the public informed is a vital and integral part of any democracy and as such, it is the media’s responsibility to carry out their duties with due diligence and without interference.”

The commitment allowing media to operate “without interference” looks good and plays well to party supporters, but peel away the friendly rhetoric and it’s a very different story. Bermuda’s Media Bill 2010 contains a stacked deck when it comes to the Council’s composition, and it enables prior restraint; when fused together these powers are a disaster for all Bermuda journalists hoping to write political news and commentary…

The siren song of governments has always been a lauding of media freedoms, while arguing simultaneously for journalists to be responsible. Too often, this is government shorthand for being responsible to the government, and it betrays a deep-seated discomfort with the principles of a free media.

Governments everywhere would be better off receiving plaudits for opening up their media environments, rather than busily seeking new ways to close them. Unfortunately, it seems that in Bermuda, Uganda, and Fiji the tide is fast moving in the other direction.

In my opinion, Dr. Brown’s bill is part of a revenge fantasy against the local media.  Personal animus is not a good basis for law.