Political analyst Dr David Hinds. (www.guyanagraphic.com)
A professor of political science said politicians “should be embarrassed” when they attempt to criticise the work of media practitioners.
Dr David Hinds admitted that, sometimes, publications from private and public media organisations are less than desirable, but politicians ought not to be critical because they are part of the problem at times.
“If I were a politician, if I were a government minister, I would be embarrassed to say that, because those media workers come out of the education system and the political culture. And so when I am saying, ‘look the media is not doing their work,’ it is an indictment of my own political culture and education system, in the sense that media workers feel compelled to take sides,” Dr Hinds said.
The professor was at the time responding to a question on Sunday’s Big Issues regarding whether or not political leaders should pick fights with the media.
Last week, three government ministers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin and Education Minister Michael Browne, chided the media for not doing enough research and fact checking.
Dr Hinds said political leaders should be critical of themselves because they are the stewards who set the tone for what media workers and others can and cannot do.
“I find it quite laughable that a government minister can talk about the quality of work from the media and not see how they themselves are part of the problem,” Dr Hinds said.
Editor of a local media outlet, D Gisele Isaac and President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Clive Bacchus also supported Dr Hinds’ view.
They, however, indicated that media workers, too, should take pride in their work.
“There is always the obligation, as media people, as professionals, to adhere to the highest standards possible. You might not have all the resources of the state behind you, but your personal integrity ought to guide how you go about your business,” Isaac said.