Prime Minister Perry Christie told the "Bahamian people and democracy" to go to hell when he said "to hell with them" in reference to the media on Thursday, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said.
While addressing journalism students at the College of The Bahamas, Christie lashed out at media personnel, who he said called for his resignation. It was unclear who Christie's comments were directed at. However, Thursday's editorial in The Nassau Guardian said Agriculture Minister V. Alfred Gray should resign or be fired from Cabinet over his alleged interference in a judicial matter.
It said it was not enough for Christie to relieve Gray of his duty as minister for local government and failure to fire him "demonstrates that he is no longer fit to be prime minister".
"You are journalists. You are supposed to be writing about talking about how to get this country to know its journey," Christie said. "Many journalists don't have the time for it. It is better to say, 'Well, Christie should resign.' Well, resign my foot.
"When I was going around Centerville for eight consecutive elections none of them were there. When I was talking to the people who voted for me, none of the journalists were there with me. When I promised them (constituents) I would do my best to help them, none of them were there.
"Their judgment as to whether I am doing my best, to hell with them. It is the people with the power. You have the right to believe what you believe [and] to write what you believe. I must respect you for that. But respect me for what I am trying to do."
During a press conference at Halsbury Chambers, McCartney said Christie's legacy will reflect a prime minister who has killed democracy in The Bahamas. He said Christie's attack on the fourth estate is an act of defiance to not be transparent and accountable to the Bahamian people in the face of pressing national issues and numerous scandals.
"It shows that this is a government that believes in cover-ups and [it does] not want the media or any other entity to bring to light the truth of what is going on or what is not going on," McCartney said. "The prime minister ought to welcome the media. The country ought to welcome the media. ...The closest thing we have to freedom of information, quite frankly, is the media.
"I want the media to remember those words of the prime minister because for the leader of the country to tell freedom of press, freedom of speech to go to hell, that is what it equates to. That is a problem and that is concerning, very concerning... He is telling democracy to go to hell."
Christie told the journalism students that despite being characterized as a weak leader who cannot make decisions, he is in his 40th consecutive year in public life. He said people should judge what that means and consider his ability to balance governing the country and Cabinet with his integrity still in tact.
"But politics has somehow warped people. And journalists who are political scribes arrogate unto themselves a level of arrogance that stupefies me because they presume to make decisions for people," Christie said. "They presume that the position they're in gives them the right to say what exists and what doesn't. But the devil is a liar."
Christie also challenged Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis and McCartney to public debate to allow the people to determine who is best suited to lead the country.
"That is what it is all about," the prime minister said. "Those are the people, who, not through some whimsical thought or some transplant from some journalist to you, that you talk about."
McCartney said while the public can judge Christie and his administration on performance alone, "I accept your challenge and look forward to a debate".
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
