Branville McCartney
Audio clip
Prime Minister Thursday, March 27, 2015
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney on Friday chastised Prime Minister Perry Christie over his comments telling journalists to go "to hell".
Mr McCartney said Mr Christie's damnation of reporters on Thursday were symbolic of the Christie administration's lack of respect for democracy.
He said given the comments and Mr Christie's poor governance the legacy that the Prime Minister will likely leave behind is that of a "PM who has killed democracy in the Bahamas".
Mr McCartney further accepted Mr Christie’s challenge of a public debate.
"They don't want to be open, they don't want to be transparent (and) they don't want to be accountable to the Bahamian people," Mr McCartney said at a press conference at his law offices on Village Road.
"So when the Prime Minister tells the media to go to hell, it actually should be surprising coming from him and his party, because this is the same party that certainly shows lack of accountability, transparency and certainly deliberately fails to enact a FOI (Freedom of Information) act."
On Thursday Mr Christie told a group of College of the Bahamas School of Journalism students that he was "stupefied" by the "arrogance" of some journalists who "presume" to make decisions for people, adding that those in the media who criticise his leadership capability can go "to hell".
Lashing out at calls from some in the media for him to resign, Mr Christie said these critics were not in the trenches with him when he won eight consecutive elections.
Mr Christie lambasted the media as he spoke to College of the Bahamas' journalism programme. He stressed to the students how grave a responsibility the media has to report truth so that readers or listeners understand the information.
He also urged the students to challenge him and the leaders of the two other political parties to a public debate, so they could determine who is the better of the three.
Mr McCartney, responding on Friday, said: “The closest thing we have to freedom of information quite frankly is the media, and to tell the media to go to hell, my God. I want the media to remember those words of the Prime Minister, because for the leader of the country to tell freedom of press, freedom of speech to go to hell, that's what it equates to. That's the problem. And that's concerning, very concerning.
"He's telling democracy to go to hell. Just like he did with the Gaming Bill and the Gaming Act, after the referendum opinion poll and after he said he would abide by the wishes of the people, he turned around and he killed democracy.
"I do like Mr Christie personally, but unfortunately his legacy is going to reflect that of a PM who has killed democracy in the Bahamas."
Mr Christie and his administration have come under heavy fire recently over a range of controversies, including the handling of contracts for the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) and allegations that a senior Cabinet minister, V Alfred Gray, allegedly interfered with the course of justice.
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
Mr; McCartney he said SOME Journalist you should be honest. Now you do know that some of them are very Bias and they do have an agenda,
TruthHurts 9 years ago
I agree with you 'birdiestrachan'. I am impartial to all parties; and I'd have to say that I was disappointed by his approach to set the record straight. These were students that he was responsible of molding in the best possible sense of the word. In life, there will always be nay-sayers opposing you. Christie is no different and because of his position in life should always strive to take the high road. Unfortunately, at the time he displayed a lack of ethics and forethought with his words, and how it would be a positive impact in their minds. Instead he resorted to stooping to his opposition's (Media) level by lambasting them and making a point to those parties that were not even affiliated or involved. A good leader empowers not by bringing across his own innuendo but is proactive by showing the youngsters a better avenue/path to take than their predecessors. To teach them the true responsibility of their chosen field which requires integrity and a unbiased professionalism for delivering the facts to the public which is 'true' journalism. Not him, he made it about himself!
The last ounce of respect I had for him as a man (apart from a leader) was lost when I read his approach to this. I expect a lot from the person who leads me and my countrymen; and this to me is unacceptable!
TruthHurts 9 years ago
To add.. McCartney needs to stop being a tool!
Good Day All!
ThisIsOurs 9 years ago
100% agree on everything. Christie seems to be suffering from head in the cloud syndrome . He has outriders on a Sunday (not a recent development)
UserOne 9 years ago
"...he made it about himself" Whenever Perry Christie speaks publicly, he always makes it about himself.
ThisIsOurs 9 years ago
Agree, outside of Candia's team, the rest are all just excellent stenographers.
duppyVAT 9 years ago
We have some very good journalists in this country ............. some who have suffered much loss at the hands of petty politicians. And we have some hack rag writers as well ............ But Perry's combative tone makes him and the position of PM look small and petty - especially when he is addressing college students
duppyVAT 9 years ago
Any political leader who is more obsessed with his "legacy" than the welfare of his country will hurt the country in the long term ................. Look at Napoleon, Hitler, George III, Mugabe, Gaddafi, Castro, Sadaam etc. .......................... We in The Bahamas have already been down that road with 25 years of Pindling ....................... We do not need to repeat it with one of his inferior quality protoges
hadenoughofthecrap 9 years ago
Why don't all of the politicians "go to hell"! I have never seen such a corrupt group of effin raggamuffins in all my life! FNM and PLP none of dem gettin away with the crap!
TruthHurts 9 years ago
I see that YOU are in fact the TRUE reason this country is where it is today! You obviously can't decipher the fundamental moral attitude necessary of what a leader is or embodies. This is why our house of assembly has become a laughing stock and resembles a primary school playground! They parade around like they're so sharp (politicians) when they are dumb as hell and clueless to the fact that Bahamians are on to them.
Take a seat!!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years ago
You sound like someone closer to Freddy Boy and Christie than just about anyone would want to be.....not 2 many of us read anything you post...ciao!
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years ago
You sound like you are very "close" to Freddy Boy and Christie. Most of us don't bother reading your posts as you seem to be hooked on a bottle of whatever....ciao!
John 9 years ago
How is democracy under threat? Granville McCartney came out of the FNM and formed his Democratic National Party, and despite what he thinks it is run more like a dictatorship (not saying it is) than any of the other two parties. It was disgruntled FNMs that were ticked off with the Hubert Ingraham style of governance and help vote the PLP into office. Now there are as many disgruntled PLPS who can't wait to get in the polling booth to "get rid of Perry Dem". Democracy is alive and kicking. Kicking a government to the curb after every 5 years
TruthHurts 9 years ago
Like I said before.. What a tool! lol
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
What the media has reported is only a small portion of his speech. it has been taken out of context, What he said before and after the statement is also important. I think he was kind to just tell some of them to go to hell. perhaps they will try to be fair and honest and avoid hell.,
TruthHurts 9 years ago
Thanks 'birdie' for clarifying, because these guys have been saying a lot of crap these days.
proudloudandfnm 9 years ago
I'm convinced Christie is an idiot...
John 9 years ago
The hypocrisy is dem set who crying about democracy is the same set who trying to bring the government down. The people dem done vote them there so let democracy run its course. Come 2017 you have a chance to vote again. Or if you feel you are so qualified, then throw your hat in the ring and let the peeple decide if they want you. Yes, hold the government's feet to the fire but no need for an uprising to overthrow them. Revolutionist want to change things from what they are. But ther don't always know what they want things to be. Fro example they may want to destroy a bridge because it is made out of concrete, but still they can't tell you how you are going to cross the river after they destroy the bridge.
John 9 years ago
In light of what may come out in the Mayaguana saga is the leader of the official opposition now going to distance bhimself and his party from that matter? The arresting officer may be more notorious that the "convict"
ObserverOfChaos 9 years ago
"Democracy" was doomed the day Bahamas got Independence...due to inept training, inept aptitude for learning and changing, "me first" mentality vs "society first".....it's just now that the death is starting to stink..... and become quite evident....
TalRussell 9 years ago
Before you can possess the leadership bullocks to chastise a sitting Prime Minister, you first need be real party's leader.
Comrades what is even more symbolic is Bran's lack of respect for democracy - like how come his 'personal" DNA baby, although now 3 years old, has yet to take the steps to hold a party convention to "elect" Bran and his green gang. Why is the media still treating the DNA leadership as they were when they were but newborns? Bran and his green gang needs start acting like adults, if they don't want be given baby pacifiers be sucking on. Grown men's ain't suppose be sucking on no pacifiers, candy media coated, or not.
Alex_Charles 9 years ago
there is no point in trying to save this country our trying to build a better Bahamas. If the news prints a story regardless how ludicrous or off base it is... the people soak it up as gospel. It's so bad that people like Bahamas News are considered the gospel. Critical thinking and comprehension are not Bahamian values or traits..... band wagoning is the national past time and culture. The people with the real power in this country are us... it is our duty to educate ourselves and hold the government, the powers that be and those that inform us accountable. Sadly I'm more likely to have a successful life abroad than i am in my own country. Things are the what they are because we allow them to. It's our culture, Slackness, when you run a red light you are just as bad as those who support corruption. the Government isn't destroying this country, WE ARE.
duppyVAT 9 years ago
And you are going to run to the US with your tail between your legs SMH
John 9 years ago
Despite his shortcomings V Alfred Gray may have wittingly ((yes wittingly) saved a young man's life. As the details come out about the Mayaguana affair it may not be Gray running for cover with egg on his face but mothers and parents rushing to shield their children from the beastly animals we have in position of authority in this country. But let's wait! No use washing us dirty laundry in public if you dnt give it time to dry.
ThisIsOurs 9 years ago
No. Alfred Gray was wrong. No dithering. People who defend him fail to see the seriousness of the offense he committed, allegedly. The same way that you say he saved someone's life he could use his misguided power if unchecked to ruin someone's life. His action showed us plainly why we have a crime problem in this country., and why the Commissioner is powerless to do anything about it.
Remember how the PM told us he called the bank manager for his friend Mr Lightbourne? To see if the bank manager could take some action outside of well established policy that would save Mr Lightbourne's house? He thought he was "helping" too, according to him, nothing wrong with what he did, he did it for many people and he'd do it again.
Who killed Hal Taylor?
ThisIsOurs 9 years ago
This is no smokescreen...the minor detail that the AG has turned the matter over to the police might elevate it to something above just being wrong. Maybe he'll be the first domino to fall. I hope so because right now their (as in all MPs and cabinet ministers) attitude is ride it out. Brave Davis hasn't explained a peep about BAMSI yet. Alfred Gray goes and the administrator goes. Then Brave David.
John 9 years ago
Let's wait and see Hal Taylor was not the only one who died mysteriously and it wasn't from a chokehold. Anyway Hilary Clinton is about to officially announce her candidacy for president. And guess what she says she wants above most things: A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESS!
TalRussell 9 years ago
by TalRussell
EasternGate 9 years ago
What legacy?? A Statue of A Fool!
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