CNS barred from media brief
Posted on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 15:42 in Politics
(CNS): The premier's press secretary barred CNS reporter Wendy Ledger from entering a government press conference at the Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon. McKeeva Bush had issued an invitation to the Caymanian Compass, Radio Cayman and Cayman 27 but omitted to send notice of the event to CNS. However, as the CNS reporter was already at the assembly building in anticipation of the Finance Committee meeting, Ledger made efforts to attend the media briefing in which the premier was to announce the details of the FCO's approval of the 2012/12 budget. At that point Charles Glidden refused Ledger entry into the LA conference room for the media briefing as he said he had not been instructed to invite CNS.
The on-line media house has been omitted from the invitation list for several government briefings recently and the premier recently told Ledger via email not to contact him regarding any questions because of the ongoing legal action he is taking against her and Nicky Watson, the owner of CNS, because of an opinion piece posted on the website's Viewpoint section last year.
Despite having a regular readership of more than 60,000 unique viewers per month, Bush has criticized CNS and described it as not being the “real media” and on Wednesday he accused the reporter of being “nasty and vindictive” during the budget debate.
With the CNS news site being an increasingly popular forum for critics of the premier and his government to express their frustrations, his dislike for the online media service has grown in recent times.
Regardless of the hurdles being placed in front of Ledger however, she said she would continue to keep close tabs on government and post reports in that regard.
“As a result of the wide support CNS enjoys in the community, the information still flows into our news room from myriad sources and we are confident that the premier's efforts to prevent us from gaining access to official media briefings will have little impact on my ability to keep the news coming,” said Ledger. “The premier may not consider CNS to be the real media but we believe that our readers think it is very real and we can assure them that we will continue to post very real reports.”
During the government press briefing the premier confirmed details that CNS had already posted on Friday in connection with the UK's approval of the budget and the various conditions which government was to meet.
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He's the 'Last King of
He's the 'Last King of Scotland'. Not long now before critics start disappearing because, according to his delusions of mas grandeur, they are simply "jealous" of him.
Dear Mr. Premier, At your
Dear Mr. Premier,
At your last public meeting about the tax on expats, you waved a Bible in the air and said, "This is the only book I need to do my job". Many have proclaimed Cayman to be a Christian nation. Therefore I ask how your barring Miss Wendy from attending a press conference is a Christian act? Ask yourself, what would Jesus do? According to the Bible, we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. No man is above any other man. All men are equal in the eyes of God. People should ALWAYS come first. Holding grudges and discriminating for personal or professional reasons goes against everything the Bible teaches. Your fellow man must always be treated with the same dignity and respect that you would like to be treated with. There is no separation of Church & State in Cayman which leads to this extremely contradictory act of yours. Politics is a ruthless game whose rules often run contrary to teachings of the Bible. You cannot possibly be a proper ruthless politician and a good Christian at the same time. You have free will and choices which are up to you. You can make decisions that are hurtful, unethical and vengeful or you can act like a proper Christian. What you chose to do will be seen by all.
Maybe you should consider the following tests in making future decisions. These guidelines are the motto of the Rotary Club.
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
I assure you that from Wendy's perspective you did not pass this test.
Good moral and fair leadership is the way to a better future for any country. Tactics of the bully result in the division we see here today.
Incredibly childish and
Incredibly childish and unsophisticated. An embarrassment to Cayman on the international stage.
the actions by the Premier
the actions by the Premier are again one of the long list of things that clearly demonstrate that he is ill fit to even be a feature in Cayman Politics needless to say Premier of this Country. He is countrified, with limited vocaublary and no social graces. Hereverts to seal to those ignorant illiterate ways when he feels he is underthreat and his purile and childish responses are signs that here is a man that cannot survive less thrive under pressure.
CNS. you serve a very important role in the media. THis man is a wanna be dictator who wants to parade as an intelligent statesman. No one will call him "Father of the House" because is is the picture boy of a "national discgrace" so he touts it himself "self praise is no praise". Caymanian's far and wide, it is time to retire the likes of Mr. Bush and his bunch of rough necks. It is time to think carefully of who we put into government and choose people who we know will go in to make a positive difference, who can rub shoulders with international leadersas they hold the same intelligence, wisdom and humility in their service to their country. This government and i mean all of them are either wanna bees or selfserving. Sweep them out Cayman else we will have to run from Cayman and work to live in another man's country,
They are truly a parliament of buffoons.
LOL... CNS may I suggest you
LOL... CNS may I suggest you rate everybody TROLLS on your site, because that is just what is going to happen! There is nothing that is going to stop these TROLLS no matter how much you try to deter them from making comments.
Roarrrrrr... LET THE TROLLING BEGIN!
The trolling has begun!
The trolling has begun! Congratulations, you've earned yourself the distinction of being troll number one. +
To paraphrase a line frm my
To paraphrase a line frm my son's favourite movie - "Years from now, people will ask; Where were you when these men destroyed our country and we will answer; We just stood by and watched".
The women of Cayman could
The women of Cayman could take a lesson from the women of Togo. Starting tomorrow the women of Togo are refusing to have sex in order to force the resignation of the corrupt Presisdent Faure Gnassingbe. They have tried various other ways, but figure this is the best way to persuade their men to take action as well. Good luck girlfriends!
My poor people, listen to me.
My poor people, listen to me. I am the great Bantu Tree. It is my destiny to rule over you with my rod of iron because I know what is best for you.
I was chosen by God himself to lead you in the way of truth. If I want to go to Vegas once in a while to entertain myself with your sweat offerings, then this must surely be your reasonable service.
I am above your petty laws, so do not try to hold me accountable to a framework which cannot possibly contain my magnificence for I am the great Bantu Tree.
In fact, I craft your laws with my advisors who have your best interests in their hearts. While I am in Vegas trying to claw back the millions that the unrighteous ones have taken from me, my advisors are busy in the Lodge trying very hard to see how they can make my gowernance sustainable.
I do not worry too much about those funny handshakes and stuff because as long as I have cash in my hand and the wheel is spinning, the world is at peace.
My children all is well. Pray for 16 red.
Your benevolent ruler, Bantu Tree.
This is the funniest thing I
This is the funniest thing I have read all day...
Back in the 1960's there was
Back in the 1960's there was a popular T-shirt slogan which read,
"Imagine if they held a war and no body came"
Now apply this same sentiment to our situation here:
"Imagine if the Premier called a press conference and no body came"
Without the press or the people, politicians have zero power. They become useless money sucking windbags.
CNS Please be warned that in
CNS Please be warned that in about 8months from now, you and the Rooster services will be greatly appreciated by McKeeva and the UDP Party. They will need media coverage, as not too many people watches Cayman27 or listens to Radio Cayman. Look out for people like Lorna Bush, Ellio and Steve McField coming forward to write comments and talk on Rooster....you guys will be used extensively, especially by Ellio and Rolston. Those two makes me so sick, just to hear their XXXX cover ups. Never mind Wendy, you will be more than invited to their meetings. Do not give up,Do not get discourage and Never give up...they like to talk, blame and argue....thats their style. We the general public are totally tired of them.
16:04 are you saying that the
16:04 are you saying that the PPM will mo longer appear on Rooster and the UDP will take over the two days a week segment reserved for PPM.?. Boy if you are they should lock you up because whatever ya drinking asking you hallucinate
Can anyone tell me who is
Can anyone tell me who is considered "PRESS" in the Cayman Islands? What is the criteria to be considered "PRESS". Do you have to be an empployee of a known media house?
Was Cayman Net News invited or are they not considered Press?
Radio Cayman (which is Government owned) was invited so was someone from Vibe FM, Rooster, DMS radio Stations and other radio stations invited?
I am thinking if it is "press briefing" from the Government on public issues then why is the Premier allowed to select who gets to attend?
Is this even legal? It is not like he was having a private function at his house.
I am not sure what the Premier's objective was by excluding CNS because with technology these days, she can still listen to a tape recording or review someone else's notes and still write an article commenting on anything he said.
Your horns are showing Mr. Premier. You are now appearing as nothing more than a spoiled child.
This is what happens when
This is what happens when some one who is put in charge decides that he knows more or better than enyone else about everything. In his mind (and not only his) he can become the only one with knowledge. Everyone else becomes the ones who need his knowledge or the ones in his way.This is the Cayman islands of today. The great and honorable premeir Caymanian and only his greatness can tell who is press and who is not. Who is honorable and who is not. Who is in his way and who is not. If you are not a voter for him then you are in his way. Caymanians all of you. Old timers and brand new. This is your creation. This is your legacy. And now it is your life and your future. On the flip side for those who are benifiting from the great flow of never ending cash and bonuses, gas and free plane rides, jobs, health care, pensions, paved driveways, hurrican shelters, never ending work on schools, free rent for your offices, SUVs, private security, and the knowledge that you will be taken care of for the rest of your life............You win. And honorably so.
Mr. Premier, Any politician
Mr. Premier, Any politician knows that when they decide to run for politics, their life is put under a microscope and they will be open to many, many criticisms. Criticisms are a person's or a group of person's opinion, which the last time I checked we are still entitled to as long as it is not libelous/slanderous and even then we can render it if we are willing to face the consequences.
Every time someone says something that you don't particularly like or that do not show you in a favourable light, you want to sue them or you show your "XXXX" behaviour by pulling stunts like this one and having "invitation only" press briefings.
I recall when you at one time considered the Cayman Free Press your enemy and you accused them of printing biased reports now suddenly they seemed to have "redeemed" themselves in your sight and are now invited in the "inner circle" again.
CNS clearly refuses to bend and kiss you know what. They only want to report to the people what is happening in Government. I welcome having all the Media Houses because a lot of times I read a report on CNS and I read a report in the Caymanian Compass on the same topic and between the two I get a clearer, more informative picture of the situation.
With this recent barring, you are forcing the people to read one view only.......The Cayman Compass. And when they write something that you do not agree with, you will also bar them as well and then what?
Mr. Glidden has been caught up in a bad situation, he was unfortunately just doing his job. To not follow instructions, more than likely he would no longer have a job and although a lot of you will talk about standing firm, if he lost his job tomorrow, none of you are going to help him pay his bills, feed his family etc. So in his case don't shoot the messenger, direct the anger toward toward the sender of of the message.
Mr gild den is now a part of
Mr gild den is now a part of a bad situation
So because he is getting
So because he is getting paid, and quite well, he should "do the wrong thing".
When I think of all the poor innocent Nazis as 'just doing their job' I says to myself, what a wonderful world.....
3 sides to every
3 sides to every story.
There are 3 sides to every story. His side, her side and the truth. In this case, the Premier desires to express his side only to those he thinks will report favorably what he is saying. CNS (who was barred from attending) reports stories form it's perspective which often times uncover thnigs that were not said that should have been. And then there is a mixture of the two which generally contains the truth.
Several commenters complain that Wendy is harsh, disrespectful and biased in her reporting on the Premier. He in turn claims CNS is not a legitimate media outlet. Wendy has the right to report stories with a biased twist if she so desires. It is the reader who has the right not ot read it if they don't like it. If you don't like the show you're watching on TV you change the channel. I would suggest that you few readers who don't approve of how CNS reports stories, change the channel and get your slanted news elsewhere. But realize the importance of the basic rights the media has in reporting how they see fit. It is always better to have too much information in order to filter out the irrelevant stuff so you can more clearly see the truth.
Today's reporting is more than "just the facts ma'am". It is about investigating behind what is being said and the motives behind the words spoken by our elected officials. Biased or not, a truly free press is more useful to Cayman than a press bound by advertisers.
Congratulations to CNS for
Congratulations to CNS for getting to Bush in a way that other news outlets are failing so miserably to do. In most other countries Bush would have been torn to pieces and flushed a long time ago. He's a joke and (sadly) so is much of the news media here. Please keep up the good work.
Keep on keeping on, Wendy and
Keep on keeping on, Wendy and Nicky!
Wendy thank you for this
Wendy thank you for this media outlet and for reporting to us what is really happening when it happens. The bushman and his tribe are losing ground and members and your list of supporters keeps growing. Charles Glidden is yet another spineless, useless cling-on. You are too good to be in the same company as that bunch anyway. Keep up the good work!
I have frequently suggested
I have frequently suggested that the best way to get under Bush's skin would be to completely ignore him. No news reports, photo opportunities, no reporting of his public meetings - don't accept UDP notices, announcements or advertisements. AND before you shout that would be a "Politicised " policy - look at the various UK media mouthpieces - and that includes the BBC.
Here's a funny thought.
Here's a funny thought. Remember a few years ago when Elio Solomon used to be a radio talk show host? He routinely would rant and rave about how important free speech and freedom of the press were. He was dead set against government abusing its power and silencing opposing views.
And now he's now a happy and loyal member of a group that opposes those very things.
My how times change.
Hmmmmm, maybe Wendy will join
Hmmmmm, maybe Wendy will join the Mac pack
"First they came for the
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me." -- Martin Niemöller
This is a pretty shocking act
This is a pretty shocking act by the Premier and his henchman but it is a sad reflection of the bubble that he currently operates in. A bubble far detached from reality. How is it that he got into this state? It's the people who keep on patting him on the back telling him he is doing the right thing- not because he is XXXX. Take a look at the most recent Grand Cayman magazine and the editor's message penned by no other than XXXX Mr. David Legge. The gist of his message is that any protests against the manner in which our country is currently governed have no substance, news organisations that report on stories adverse to the interests of the Premier are less than responsible and should be sued for libel. We as a community should be very wary of XXXX individuals that seem hell bent on currying favour with the Premier XXXX.
CHEER UP CNS! YOU HAVE HIM
CHEER UP CNS! YOU HAVE HIM & HIS MINIONS SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS!
His ARROGANCE, IGNORANCE, INEPTITUDE, and all his other great attributes, including wanting to be called HONORABLE in perpetuity has turned off 99.9% of the people on this Island!
So please don't worry about the LAW SUIT he keeps reminding you of, he has more pressing matters to worry about.
I wonder how Cayman FREE
I wonder how Cayman FREE Press will react to this.
A. Standard response to all controversial issues: Silence, don't want to rock the boat, might scare away advertisers.
B. Publish a bland, incoherent, typo-laden Compass editorial that doesn't take a side or say much of anything
C. Condemn Bush's actions in plain English on the pages of the Compass. Stand in support of CNS and make a strong statment about freedom of the press in a democracy by refusing to attend press conferences that are exclusionary without good cause.
All sane people will hope for C but we all know it's most likely going to be A with a slight chance of B.
By the way, is Charles Glidden really this far gone? One would have thought that he would know better than to be involved in all this bananna republic stuff. Has he really lost the plot like this or is it just the salary that controls his judgment?
A. The salary.
A. The salary.
Yeah, it's definitely the
Yeah, it's definitely the cash talking. Poor Charles.
whoa, go easy on them.
whoa, go easy on them. They've done pretty good lately. If they challanged the gang anymore the govt. probably would unravel. I'm not quite ready for that....yet.
BTW, after all the years CG has been on the gravy train, why would you ever think he would show any statesmanshir? Just curious if you see something in him that I'm missing.
Like sleeve of wizard!
Like sleeve of wizard!
What's next? Jack boots and
What's next? Jack boots and brown shirts?
Manipulation and curtailment of the press are the first procedures of dictatorial State. Will we have a minister of propaganda now? MacGoebbels
....of propaganda now? Ummm
....of propaganda now? Ummm I think we have a few
Unmistakable Signs Your
Unmistakable Signs Your Country's Leader is Actually a Dictator
1. Does he limit the freedom of personal and public speech by threatening reporters/bloggers with legal action/individual retribution?
2. Do the laws of the country seem to not apply to him?
3. Does he misappropriate funds by using taxpayer money to erect propaganda signs/pave private property, etc.?
4. Does he display signs of nepotism/cronyism?
5. Does he strategically pit one group of citizens against the other?
6. Are his own citizens afraid of him?
If you answered Yes to 3 or more of these questions, you might not actually be living in a democracy...
7. Does the voting electorate
7. Does the voting electorate comprise less than half the population?
1 yes 2 yes 3 yes 4 yes 5
1 yes
2 yes
3 yes
4 yes
5 yes
6 no
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL MEDIA AND NEWS OUTLETS.
If you want to protect our basic freedom of speech and freedom of the press then it is incumbent upon you to band together as one and boycott any meeting called by government wihich is by "invitation only" or is exclusionary to any media outlet.
You cannot and should not be a party to allowing such behavior to persist by our elected officials. Anything less than watching each other’s backs could easily result in loss of revenue for your newspaper or media company by virtue of the public boycotting you for having accepted the invitation in the first place.
Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is our most sacred right. You must all stand together to protect it or risk losing it entirely.
Shame on you Premier and double shame on you Charles Glidden for participating in such behavior.
Nobody is attacking freedom
Nobody is attacking freedom of speech. Certain individuals in the media are attacking government and whatever is necessary for this economy's development. Their reports are biased and should not be encouraged. Your post is misleading and attempts to make this look like a party thing.
OMG! Get a real education.
OMG! Get a real education. Then post.
Telling the truth is biased
Telling the truth is biased now? The truth s that the dirt has been swept under the carpet for so many years and now someone has the guts to report the truth, its making all those corrupt politicians we have - from the top town, squrm. We as a people need to protest this publicly. This is very dangerous and the dictator has started his regime now - silencing truth. I am surprised the UK approved this mickey mouse budget. So many essential services are being cut - but the slush fund or vote buying fund gets millions more. The increase in work permit fees is disasterous. Look around George Town dear Minister of Finance - its becoming empty. Businesses which have been there for years are gone. That should tell even you something.
hell yea, if Yall had country
hell yea, if Yall had country at heart , yall see what misleading headlines yall post, its only to say CNS is trying to put the country down, and all the idiots that have thumbs up .ur no better.. so i take stance with the premier..and to make yall know yes i have see my pay get cut, but i have given and sacrificed to make this country move forward ...CNS its not all good that youn post..
Dear Screw Tape, You should
Dear Screw Tape,
You should rename yourself "screwed-up". There is nothing political in what I said, that is a spin you placed on it.
The free press is the watchdog of governments around the world. When they don't take sides and try to remain neutral it is more than likely due to their dependence on revenue from advertising. If a newspaper were to offend an entire political party they risk alienating nearly half of all voters and would surely suffer financially for it. It is not proper or acceptable for any political figure to pick and chose how he wants himself portrayed in the media unless it is a paid political ad. Cayman is fortunate to have a media service like CNS which does not back away from informing and telling it like it is.
You may recall Radio Free Europe during the Cold War. Their prime intent was to bring the truth to light and not be answerable or stifled by any regime or political party. Their radio broadcasts reached far into countries whose leaders attempted to influence populations through the media with propaganda. Radio Free Europe was able to reach through the webs governments created and bring people the truth. CNS, Facebook and the internet in general are modern day forms of Radio Free Europe. If a politician has something to hide or only invites those who will report favorably about him then we have already crossed a line into dangerous territory. Sometimes the truth hurts. We should respect and support those who are brave enough to present it to us.
Thank you CNS.
Clearly your reading does not
Clearly your reading does not extend to the famous quotation which went something like this - " I may not agree with what he says, but I would defend to the death, his right to say it. ". No doubt one of my learned brethren can come up with the " Quotor "
Voltaire
Voltaire
the press is exposing. the
the press is exposing. the premierboss is attacking
You obviously do not
You obviously do not understand the term "Freedom of Speech"' it does NOT mean you are free to express your opinion provided it is one I agree with. The role of a free press is precisely to question and comment on government policies whether in a favourable way or not. Without a free press informing the public you end up with a 1984 scenario...ie Big Brother government, or should I say dictatorship, feeding the public only what those in power want them to know. No one whose hands are clean and who is acting in good faith should be scared of the free press.
Spoken like a true UDP paid
Spoken like a true UDP paid off lackey
These people are disgusting!
These people are disgusting! What the hell kind of behaviour is this?
The most rude and disrespectful bunch of politicians I have ever come across in my life have taken their absurdity to a new level I never thought possible.
Just yesterday, I listened to Solomon and Anglin on Rooster and thought how appallingly arrogant they were. Their tone when responding to callers who were even slightly critical (and even those who didn't call) was a chilling combination of smugness and dismissive.
Solomon in particular was dead set on barking about his personal notion that the opposition and independent members were ignorant of the issues and had no place making recommendations.
The disingenous compliments and not so thinly veiled critiscism of the CrossTalk hosts was sickening and I have a genuine desire to ask them, partcularly Austin, if they bought any of it.
After listening to them both, I felt as if someone had dumped !@#$ on me and I needed a thorough shower.
Now they behave like rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth and gettng agressive with the media. It's just too much.
Mac and his cronies: You lot are the one's making this country look bad, not the press. Do your damn jobs with honor, dignity and within the remit of the law and do it well. That's all you should be concerned about.
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