The Tribune

By CHESTER ROBARDS

and PACO NUNEZ

ON May 7 the government changed; unfortunately certain attitudes didn’t follow suit.

In particular, a few new faces in what was supposed to be a new-look, more progressive Progressive Liberal Party seem to have retained some of the more lamentable traits of the crusty political class of old.

Unsurprisingly, a difficulty communicating is chief among these. Dodging reporters, insulting journalists for asking questions, and glibly declining to comment on even the most critical of public issues – this is not new behaviour among politicians.

Still, one would think that as times change, and societies advance, citizens around the world might hope against hope that those elected to public office would at the very least try and keep up with them.

But apparently not – at least, not in the Bahamas.

Take as an example, the events of Sunday afternoon, July 29, when The Tribune sought to get an update from the new Minister of Health, Dr Perry Gomez, on what we considered to be a developing story of the utmost importance – the death of two premature babies, under circumstances which suggested the possibility of a wider public health issue, at the government-run Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

Imagine the reporter’s surprise when, instead of answers, he was chastised by Dr Gomez for calling him at home (after unsuccessfully trying to reach the good doctor on his government cell phone).

According to Dr Gomez, it was “his Sunday” and he was “busy” with guests.

The reporter was not even given the chance to explain what the call was about before the minister asked: “Ya’ll don’t go to church?”

In actual fact, the reporter had not gone to church that day. Nor did he spend the day entertaining guests.

He spent that Sunday doing his job, seeking answers about dead babies and other unpleasant realities of current events in the Bahamas, in an effort to keep the public informed.

Not an ideal way to spend a Sunday admittedly – but journalists on weekend duty tell themselves the country is glad at least someone is looking out for the public’s interests after business hours.

Dr Gomez, it would seem, is not among the grateful.

In return for having been disturbed during his leisure time, he decided to use his national platform in the House of Assembly to brand his Sunday oppressor a “rude reporter.”

But if he thought this would subdue or silence us, he was sorely mistaken. Journalists around here are more than used to dodging the venom of ruffled politicians.

Take former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who was notorious for taking a bite out of reporters during question and answer sessions – we share and compare our stories of embarrassment often.

But while Mr Ingraham may have been a brutal interviewer at times, when it came down to those urgent questions of national importance, he was always frank, direct and clear.

Mr Ingraham always seemed to understand the importance of the media to a healthy society. Too many in the PLP seem willing to bypass the Fourth Estate completely.

And while it may be harsh to lump Dr Gomez into this category, it must be said that he’s not off to a great start, comparatively speaking.

His predecessor as the Minister of Health, Dr Hubert Minnis, was almost always available to the press during his time in office and was consistently helpful.

He understood the importance and urgency of his ministry, arranging sometimes weekly press conferences last summer during one of the worst dengue fever outbreaks to hit the Bahamas in recent history.

But nowadays, two babies dying and others becoming infected with the same potentially deadly bacteria is not important enough to disturb a minister’s Sunday rest. Worse, such a disturbance is now justification for an attempt to humiliate a reporter on live national TV.

According to Dr Gomez, he is the victim. In the same address to Parliament, he said: “My reputation for caring about people doesn’t need defending, and so when the press in their statements talk about I’m not caring because of a reaction to a rude reporter on a Sunday afternoon, that can’t wash because the people of this country know me better.”

Certainly, Dr Gomez has distinguished himself not only in terms of the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas, but also in terms of raising awareness, promoting prevention and doing a great deal to diffuse the stigma with which the disease has become surrounded.

He has not been a politician long, so we can perhaps forgive him for having yet to grasp the notion that the people’s representatives are not chosen so they can rest on their laurels.

If he wants to be known for his past achievements, Dr Gomez should leave front-line politics for some honorary post in which the celebration of a distinguished career would be more appropriate.

In politics, election day is year zero and one’s reputation is re-evaluated day by day, crisis by crisis.

Nor does being a parliamentarian mean working 9-5 with weekends off. Particularly at the Cabinet minister level, the public expects performance beyond the call of duty. Those who want a normal life need not apply.

Just as the “rude reporter” who called him on “his Sunday” had an obligation to bring important information to the public, so Dr Gomez is obliged to take the time to answer important questions about public health whenever they arise, and offer all the information he has at hand.

And before they chastise journalists, all politicians should keep in mind we will always chastise back – and remember that reporters don’t need votes to keep their jobs.

So, do the people of this country know Dr Gomez “better”? We shall see.

Maybe five years from now, when it is all said and done, he’ll be glad the public has a shorter memory than he currently gives them credit for.

What do you think?

Email comments to pnunez@tribunemedia.net, or visit www.tribune242 to join the conversation.