Dear Editor,
A letter written by Delvin Rolle complaining about media coverage of Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis is another sad example of his supporters' belief that the media are somehow blind and just don't get how wonderful, articulate and filled with bright ideas is Minnis.
Rolle lambasts the media with an arrogance that simply cannot be taken seriously. He writes: "If you find the courage and professionalism to treat the FNM leader with fairness, maybe it will become clear that he has some really great ideas. Maybe you will even give him a chance to tell Bahamians how he plans to change the country for the better."
Rolle is saying that the media are cowards and unprofessional in covering Minnis. This is a lowbrow and nasty charge. Despite this, The Tribune and The Nassau Guardian published his obnoxious letter, an example of their courage and professionalism in offering the airing of a range of opinions.
The media have given Minnis extensive coverage, including when he said some of the dumbest things imaginable. Minnis and his sycophants seem to want fawning coverage that treats him like a superhero.
Rolle said Minnis' ideas about opening Baha Mar have not been fairly and fully covered. He has a responsibility to detail how the media have failed to cover Minnis on Baha Mar, providing specific examples of what Minnis said.
Two weeks ago when the developer of Baha Mar issued a statement about his continued interest in Baha Mar, Minnis put out a rushed and poorly written statement that was lacking in maturity and was of little consequence. His statement was carried on the front page of The Tribune.
Instead of rushing out with a statement to score cheap points, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, the shadow minister for labor, took her time and put out an intelligent, insightful and mature statement with helpful suggestions.
Throughout the Baha Mar crisis, Butler-Turner has spoken extensively in the House of Assembly and in the media about getting the resort open in order to provide jobs for thousands and to help stimulate the economy.
The reason the media may have given her full coverage on her recent statement is because it had substance, as opposed to the lack of substance typically offered by Minnis.
When Baha Mar collapsed last year, Minnis, under the poor influence of certain individuals, played games about whether he would meet with Prime Minister Perry Christie to get a briefing. I believe that it was Butler-Turner who convinced him that he had to meet with the prime minister.
Minnis' poorly thought out and unworkable ideas, many of which have been roundly criticized, include: making Over-the-Hill a Freeport-type tax free zone; eliminating value added-tax (VAT) in certain categories; a recall system for MPs; a two-term limit for the prime minister and others, too many to name in this short space.
Instead of criticizing the media and others, Minnis' supporters should look to his endless mistakes and inability to articulate a vision and intelligent ideas. Minnis may be known for many things but having good ideas is not one of them. It is doubtful that he has ever offered a unique or original policy position on the big issues facing the country.
The editorial and opinion pages of the two leading newspapers have been rightly critical of Minnis because he has been a rolling disaster as opposition leader.
The overwhelming opinion of the media that Minnis is not fit to be prime minister is not a conspiracy against him. Instead it is the collective judgment of those who have carefully listened to him in the House and at press conferences, and who have read his statements or interviewed him.
The media have provided him extensive coverage and have found him grievously wanting. Media leaders owe it to the public they serve to share that considered opinion while continuing to give vent to the opinions of others.
- FAM
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