The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday accused the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration of victimization following the Broadcasting Corporation's termination of its contract with Christina 'Chrissy Love' Thompson, who hosted 'Immediate Response' on ZNS.
However, the corporation denied that Thompson was terminated, claiming that she and the corporation mutually agreed to end her contract.
But Thompson said there was no such mutual agreement and no reason for the contract to be terminated two months before it was due to expire.
"Prime Minister Perry Christie has spoken of how much he abhors victimization," the FNM said.
"Indeed, days before the general election he dismissed allegations that his party would fire persons engaged at various public corporations, saying that a government led by him 'would never fire Bahamians who they met working'."
The FNM said the termination clearly indicates the PLP neither believes in Bahamians nor cares for Bahamians, and has "quickly returned to its old ways".
The Ingraham administration received similar criticisms when it cancelled the contracts of former 'Immediate Response' host Steve McKinney and 'Drive Time' host Philipa 'Lady' Russell shortly after taking office in 2007.
Former Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said the FNM believes in democracy and freedom of expression as it did when it last took office, although he did not comment on the circumstances surrounding the cancelled contracts of McKinney or Russell.
"If the government is using that to justify its actions, surely two wrongs don't make a right," he told The Guardian.
Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage, whose portfolio includes broadcasting, was not available for comment yesterday.
The corporation said it is committed to ensuring that it provides listeners with public service programming that sets the bar for professional broadcast quality.
Thompson claimed that after a meeting with the general manager during which time the contract termination was announced, she concluded that the current adminstration was not interested in broadcasting contrasting views of the government.
She added that her criticisms were broadcast in a professional manner.
"The fact that the party which prides itself on being new and different is reverting back [to such] tendencies in 2012 is shocking," Thompson said.
"The gracious thing to do would have been to let me finish up my contract...Based on [the party's] actions it would appear that it has reverted back to the post 1992 ways of our country."
Thompson said she appreciated the support from the FNM but did not wish to be the recipient of political 'footballing' between the two parties.

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