The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS of The Bahamas Press Club yesterday said they are “disappointed” by Prime Minister Christie’s recent criticism of the media.

During a speech at The College of the Bahamas’ School of Journalism, Mr Christie criticised the “arrogance” of some journalists who “presume” to make decisions for people. He said of those journalists who criticise his leadership style and have called for his resignation, “to hell with them”.

Mr Christie also said to the students: “You have the right to believe what you believe, to write what you believe. I must respect you for that. But respect me for what I’m trying to do.”

In a statement released yesterday, the Press Club said it had no intention to “lecture” Mr Christie on his public speeches, but suggested that the prime minister, after 40 years in public life, should not be frustrated with “expressed journalistic opinions of his leadership (style).”

The group reminded Mr Christie and other “seasoned” politicians that “scathing” critiques came along with the territory of high public office.

The group’s statement indicated that Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has also been the object of “equally scathing opinions”.

The club said that politicians, due to their roles in the democratic development of the Bahamas, become the focal point of public debate in good and bad times.

“We suspect that both men will continue to be in the bull’s eye of journalists as long as they hold the positions they do,” the club said.

According to the club, it is of “paramount importance that journalists display the highest standards and integrity in their reporting”.

But the group added: “The prime minister is also more aware than most, of the importance of the Fourth Estate to a well-regulated democracy.”

“We ask the prime minister to display that understanding of the need for freedom of expression by all, even if these expressions do not comport with ours.”

Mr Christie’s comments have become the focus of public debate with many of the prime minister’s political opponents using it as proof that he is losing his cool under pressure.

The Christie administration has come under fire in recent months over a number of scandals.

Last week, it was revealed that Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray was involved in a police probe into allegations he interfered with the judicial process.

Minister of Works and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis is also mired in controversy after he announced that the fire damaged dorm at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in Andros was never insured.

Two weeks before he made that statement, Mr Davis had told the House of Assembly that the dorm’s insurance had lapsed at the time of the fire due to the contractor’s nonpayment.