Who Is Holding the Fourth Estate Accountable?
Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MS NOW’s 10 p.m. programme, The Last Word, often criticises White House reporters. He described some as “weak and ineffectual” for failing to challenge Donald Trump’s falsehoods—participants in the “clown show” they should scrutinise.
His criticism raises an uncomfortable question about the state of journalism in The Bahamas.
The Fourth Estate must report truthfully, investigate thoroughly and hold leaders accountable. Yet too often, the reporting and questioning by Bahamian news media seem biased against the PLP.
Prime Minister Davis and his Cabinet face hard questions. Davis has been pressed about US drug-trafficking allegations, Eric Gardiner, the National Investment Fund, and everything else. That scrutiny is necessary. But where is the same energy for Michael Pintard?
Where is the sustained questioning about allegations involving Marvin Dames? About the FNM’s handling of Adrian Gibson’s prosecution? About Pintard’s position on the Grand Bahama Port Authority and whose interests it serves? About his party’s position on the various local issues? About his responsibility for his party’s electoral performance?
Instead, the news media allow Mr. Pintard to level allegation after allegation against the government, then report his claims without sufficiently pressing him for evidence. Does he have information the government does not have? Where is the proof? Repeating an accusation does not establish its truth. Where are the follow-up questions?
The Opposition cannot demand accountability while escaping scrutiny. When the media fail to investigate allegations and challenge both sides, they become ineffective watchdogs, allowing partisan narratives to pass for journalism. This is subpar journalism.
Are reporters afraid to challenge the Opposition, or do some lack the fortitude, preparation and investigative depth their profession demands? Or is their dislike of the PLP so intense that it clouds their judgement?
With a legacy including Sir Charles Carter, Sir Etienne Dupuch, P. Anthony White, Nikki Kelly, and Ed Bethel, we are better than this.
The Bahamian people must demand more from our journalists: equal scrutiny, balanced questioning and fair reporting.
For democracy’s sake, we MUST do better.
-Abigail Cartwright