‘Media bullies’ encouraged to be fearless

“We have seen it a lot over the last four years… attempts to coward journalists, calling them media-bullies. It’s intended to just enforce that intimidation and fear-climate that government wants to instill in the people of this country and it is disgraceful, it is shameful, and I just encourage persons in the society to put the parties and politics aside and just stand up for right and truth and justice.”
Leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Joanne Massiah spoke candidly during an interview on OBSERVER AM, yesterday, World Press Freedom Day.
“I want to see more investigative journalists in Antigua and Barbuda…. I pray for the day they can practice their craft free from fear and intimidation,” Massiah said.
She explained that journalists and their families should never have to live in fear because they have taken a stance to report accurate news and that she believes that there are too many attacks on local journalists as well as those abroad.
“I believe that in Antigua and Barbuda we are not seeing the best from our journalists, put it that way, and I know that some of them really have the potential to exceed even their and our expectations of themselves,” Massiah said.
She added: “I think a country is only free… when journalists can report accurately on the happenings in the society at all levels …. I encourage [journalists] to be fearless, to be focused, to be undeterred as they seek to bring the truth to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
World Press Freedom Day was recognised yesterday under the theme: “Keeping Power in Check, Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”.