By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
POLICE have two adult males in custody in connection with a song that negatively references Prime Minister Perry Christie, his family, Members of Parliament and Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney.
Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the matter is under active investigation and “the chips will fall as they may" as the investigations progress.
He said the persons are under investigation for possible criminal libel. He also said police are working "closely" with the Attorney General's Office and "what ever offences this falls under we will look at that”.
A 40-second clip of a three minute rap song went viral on social media this week igniting a debate on social media.
While many agreed that the song was vile, disrespectful and crossed the line other argued for freedom of speech.
Mr McCartney, who was mentioned in the song, described it as “disgusting, unpatriotic, misogynistic rhetoric”.
“The Democratic National Alliance has been made aware of a song that has gone viral across social media. The lyrics of the song make derogatory reference to the Prime Minister, his wife and children,” Mr McCartney said.
“The statements are vile and are not a representation of myself, my beliefs, or the party I represent. Not only was the language appalling, it showed blatant disrespect for the Office of the Prime Minister and that in itself cannot be condoned. I personally condemn this disgusting unpatriotic and misogynistic rhetoric and hope that all right thinking Bahamians do so as well.”
Investigations continue.
Comments
newcitizen 8 years, 3 months ago
We all better watch what we say on here now. This is a slippery slope and we are already sliding.
carmichaelrdgal 8 years, 3 months ago
Why would someone be so ignorant to do something like that? Common sense is not common. Should be sued.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 3 months ago
Unless someone was threatened then let them boys go. This is not nazi Germany.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 3 months ago
Haven't heard the song but it's weird that Fitzgerald can say whatever he wants and the entire parliament is "outraged" that anyone would tell him he can't, but two boys have the weight of the gendarme put on them for a song.
OMG 8 years, 3 months ago
Slippery slope to a dictatorship. Notwithstanding that why do these young men take such pride in a stream of obscenities disguised as music ?
SP 8 years, 3 months ago
...................... Simple - What You Put Into Life Is What You Get Out Of It! .......................
Galatians 6:7 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Obviously 43 years of utter contempt, corruption and political stupidity against the masses has finally come full circle to bite them in the ass.
George Jellinek - The history of a people is found in its songs.**
Why are people allowed to drive through our streets daily blasting disgusting obscenities to the annoyance of everyone, but they are suddenly arrested when they focus the same filth on the so called "elite"?
Job 4:8 - Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
One would have thought Perry Christie intelligent enough to learn from the failings and consequent demise of Hubert Ingraham that Bahamians are fed up with the status quo. Yet Christie obviously learned nothing, and is well on the way to crash and burn even worse than Ingraham!
Christie had the support of the masses in 2012. Bahamians literally came out of the woodwork with new innovative ideas and a multitude of proposals that would have turned around the ailing economy. ALL were denied and totally ignored by Christie!
PM Christie totally squandered the easiest opportunity of all time to be the most consequential prime minister in Bahamian history and indeed the region!
alfalfa 8 years, 3 months ago
If the ruling party had their way, we would regress to the days of LOP when when had one radio station, which was government controlled(and still is), and there would be no other venue to listen to, or express opinions not approved by the government. They tried to muzzle KB but that did not work, because he had the support of the people, and are now trying to stifle social media. If what you say praises them, it is permissible, but otherwise watch your back They will learn soon enough, the folly of their gestapo tactics.
Bahamianpride 8 years, 3 months ago
Some Lawyer is licking their chops for this one. Bahamian Communism..
CDMortimer 8 years, 3 months ago
Recently everyday in the Bahamas is a “sad day”. Criminal Libel is the only charge feasible in this case against these young men; however again, this is the Bahamas—and with the pending charge(s) being decided upon by an AG that should’ve been included in that song, quite frankly these guys are in for a long ordeal. I at times use profanity—more so when I’m upset, like many; however most would deny they do. But, truth be known, these young men, despite the odious content— nature of their song/message, were conveying sentiments that are a national-consensus (by ALL Bahamians disgusted at the blatant corruption and cronyism)
C2B 8 years, 3 months ago
These thin skinned politicians are learning from the Chinese government.
The_Oracle 8 years, 3 months ago
Politically directed prosecution is Persecution. Using the means of state to control, eliminate dissension is not the beginning of the end, it is well down the road to the end!
licks2 8 years, 3 months ago
THE POLICE MUST NOT BE USED FOR "SILANCING" DECENT FOR THE POLITICAL ELITE! I WONDER WHEN LIBEL AND OR SLANDER ARE ARRESTABLE OFFENCES. . .I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT YOU MUST TAKE YOU OWN CASE TO THE CIVIL COURT. . .NOT SEND THE POLICE FOR THEM!!
THIS CASE WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT ANOTHER BUNCH OF MONEY FOR SOME DUMB PERSON MAKING ANOTHER "NON-LEGAL" BLUNDER. . .WAIT AND SEE. . .FRED SMITH WILL "BEAT THE PLP UP" IN COURT AGAIN FOR "TAKING" THOSE MEN IN!
VDSheep 8 years, 3 months ago
Attention people ' the cabal of political elites around the world are abusing their power on the peoples' they represent. Hypocrisy is the religion ' the rule of law ' and the way of life everywhere! The only way a people can prosecute it's government - is to vote them out of office. Only to be confronted by new elites. Starting over again and again expecting a different result. Are we learning ' yet!?
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