THE BARBADOS CHAMBER of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has expressed concern over Central Bank Governor Dr DeLisle Worrell’s decision to exclude THE NATION from his Press conferences and other media events.
In a release issued today, the Chamber noted that the media company had acknowledged that it made an error in a May 8 headline and had subsequently issued a correction, while Worrell had acknowledged that the article was otherwise accurate.
“This should certainly be a reasonable basis for the resolution of this dispute, [along] with the further public acknowledgement by the media house that it would ensure its standard of reporting maintains a high level of integrity,” the BCCI said.
Worrell communicated his intention on May 9 in a letter to NATION Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Vivian-Anne Gittens, following a story which appeared the previous day about falling revenues and persistent losses forcing the bank to shrink its operations.
The Governor took umbrage to the fact that even though he did not state how many people were to be laid off, the front page headline read 60 TO GO.
The BCCI, of which the NATION is a member, noted that “beyond the important issue of the rights and freedom of the Press, there is also the question of leadership example for the citizens of Barbados”.
“Leaders in society, as well as institutions in positions of authority, ought to illustrate in their actions as well as their words that it is quite in order to be forgiving of one another, particularly when an appropriate apology and remorse has been demonstrated by the offending party,” the body said.
However, it also noted that “media organisations would benefit from greater self-regulation, to avoid giving currency to the perception among the wary public that it is somehow acceptable to make corrections to content afterwards, rather than getting it right the first time”.
The Chamber said it “hopes that the rich and exemplary history of past Governors, as well as the current Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados in their relations with the media will be a guiding factor in achieving an early reconciliation in this matter, since banning of a media house by the Central Bank is unprecedented”.
“Let us collectively be mindful that local and foreign investors, as well as visitors to our island, naturally base their confidence in our enviable long-standing international reputation for good governance, by how we conduct ourselves when faced with challenges, such as this situation presented.
“The international acclaim of our Social Partnership model for the past two decades is an example of Barbados as a world leader in human relations,” the BCCI concluded. (PR/NB)