The Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) roundly condemns public statements made by Prime Minister and Minister of Information and National Security Tillman Thomas in relation to the recent series of online commentaries by our colleague Hamlet Mark. While it is the Prime Minister's right to robustly defend his government on any matter that is part of the public debate, we are concerned that his comments could intimidate and by extension inhibit the work of the local journalist.
MWAG believes Mark's articles were in the best traditions of commentaries, using the most modern form – blogging. MWAG also believes it was not as the Prime Minister suggests, bent on creating instability. We do not believe it's in the best interest of public debate, freedom of expression and freedom of the press that the Prime Minister should assert sinister motives that he has not substantiated with the facts.
His statements could be interpreted as reckless and not well thought out and MWAG is on record as having condemned previous Prime Ministers and politicians for similarly irresponsible public statements. As a person who holds the powerful position of Prime Minister, his declaration that Mr. Mark is dangerous to Grenada can be perceived as a deliberate attempt to set up the journalist and commentator as an enemy of the state. History proves when leaders do that it can have serious and harmful consequences for the practitioner and the profession.
Similar comments by former Prime Ministers and politicians have resulted in verbal and physical attacks on local journalists by supporters of political parties on the island. The current Prime Minister and politicians in general in Grenada must be aware that this has been a matter of concern and MWAG has ventilated on this on numerous occasions. Prime Minister Thomas said in his statement that "when people go out to undermine and to create instability in the country deliberately we have to take a stand against it." What stand do you propose Mr. Prime Minister? And are you suggesting some sort of sanction?
We call on the Prime Minister to withdraw his comments on this matter, guarantee the safety of Mr. Mark and restate his commitment in no uncertain terms to freedom of the press.
MWAG would also like to remind media practitioners on the island that while they have a right to support a political party they have a responsibility to strive for balance and fairness in their reporting. Practitioners are being cautioned against subscribing to persuasions that have the potential to compromise their career in particular and the profession in general.
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