Chronicle maintains PPP-style operation - Dr. David Hinds
Kiana Wilburg, April 10, 2016 | By KNews | Filed Under News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....tion-dr-david-hinds/
Even under a new administration, censorship at the Chronicle Newspaper is still maintained.
University Professor,
Dr. David Hinds
And according to one of its columnists, Professor Dr. David Hinds, it appears that the newspaper continues to be used as an instrument of dictatorship.
In his recent writings, the Professor of Caribbean and African Diaspora Politics said that the paper has to move beyond reprinting Government press releases and populating the pages with the faces of Ministers.
Dr. Hinds said, “The rest of us matter too. As a columnist, I have had my experiences of censorship. On two occasions, my column was not carried because they were critical of the government. In other instances sections of my columns which criticized the government have been deleted.”
He said that the Chronicle has historically been an instrument of dictatorship. It cannot continue in such a manner, he added. Dr. Hinds said that the coalition administration came to power as a change agent.
The state-owned media must reflect that promise.
The Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance asserted that censorship must be eradicated. He said that the nation has suffered this indignity for too long.
Dr. Hinds also noted that the state-owned media is not a party plantation. He said that those who are charged with the day to day management must learn that hard truth.
The political activist said that for 50 years that section of the media was turned against the people, the real owners, in vicious ways.
The University professor commented that the recent revelation of “photo-doctoring” of the front page of the Chronicle Newspaper to make President, David Granger “look good” is also disgusting.
The columnist said that there is something wrong with a political culture in which people feel compelled to do something like that. He said that the Chronicle, more than the other newspapers, has a duty to uphold the principles of fairness and inclusion.
The “photo-doctored” front page of the Chronicle Newspaper.
The University professor emphasized that its pages must not be turned into “manifestations of cheer-leading.”
Dr. Hinds added, “The government must be covered fairly, but so must others. And critique of the government must be an integral part of the coverage.”
The columnist hopes that the Board of the newspaper charts a new course.
He concluded, “If you change the physical look of the paper but maintain the old habits, then you are only fooling yourself.” (Kiana Wilburg)
