The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) has expressed alarm at what it says appears to have been a disproportionate official response to the publication of a story in the Barbados Nation on October 26 reporting on sexual acts involving two young students. “Our review of the publication suggests that there might be justifiable journalistic concerns about the treatment of the story.
“However, while the court will deliver its judgment on this matter, in our view, the publication of this photograph does not amount to criminal behaviour,” the organisation stated in a media statement yesterday. “The ad hominem response by the island’s Minister of Industry and International Business, Donville Inniss, to a Jamaica Gleaner position on the matter betrays a political sensitivity on the issue which also concerns us greatly,” it added.
Innis criticised the newspaper’s stance, saying it should take its nose out of Bajan affairs and concentrate on the “rot going on in Jamaica.” The minister described the editorial as shameful and “one of the nastiest pieces of editorial work I have seen in any media house in the Caribbean.” In relation to the arrest and charge of the journalists, the editorial stated: “We hope there are no political undertones to this matter and that it does not imply an attempt to rein in the Nation’s feisty independence.”
The editorial added: “That would be sad and a reversal of that country’s historic tolerance of, and government respect for, free and independent media.” Last Thursday, the Nation’s publisher Vivian-Anne Gittens, editor-in-chief Roy Morris and news editor Sanka Price were released on BDS$5,000 bail after appearing on charges of showing an indecent picture of two minors in the Saturday Sun. The trio also were ordered by Magistrate Wayne Clarke to surrender their passports and appear in the Criminal Court No 2 on March 11, 2014.
The charges stemmed from the October 26 publication of an article and accompanying photograph based on the Facebook posting of a video captured on a cellphone of two students having sex in a classroom. ACM stated: The charges against three senior officials of the Barbados Nation are very serious and carry with them the possibility of prison sentences. The potentially chilling effect of this action on the practice of independent journalism in Barbados looms threateningly.
“We urge our colleagues to remain committed to serving the public interest through fearless reporting on developments in their countries.”