Desmond
AllenTHE KILLING of the 'Braeton Seven' and the subsequent furore generated by the Amnesty International report on the autopsies, provides a very 'ticklish' issue for journalists. We don't believe in people being murdered by anybody and, at the same time, we know that we have to get rid of the really brutal murderers in our midst.
I have just returned from an assignment for the Jamaica Information Service in New York and I found it uncanny how nearly everyone I met wanted to know about the crime situation in Jamaica. The murders, in particular, have left many of our people terrified of coming home, even for short periods. I guess we all, journalists and everybody else, understand that something drastic has to be done to curb the killings.
In the 'Braeton Seven', Amnesty International has pounced upon a "media event", an occasion which is ripe with headline grabbing possibilities. However, before rushing in front of the cameras and microphones, the organisation should have brainstormed with its media advisors to find a balance in its approach to the issue. Mind you, I have a sense that Amnesty International probably means well. But its handling of the Braeton affair was actually quite poor.
In their eagerness to show wrongdoing in the police force, they have completely ignored the fear and trauma being experienced by law-abiding Jamaicans who are not hearing about viable solutions to the heinous crimes and criminals who rampage over the land. It's hard to explain to these people why when innocent, productive citizens are murdered, they don't see or hear the human rights groups being as vociferous and assertive against the criminals. And it is not enough to say a criminal murder is different from a police murder. Murder is murder! Nor is it enough to simply condemn murder by criminals while staging demonstrations and spending big money to campaign against police wrongdoing. It would be nice to see groups like Amnesty Intern-ational working seriously with police forces to fight crime.
I have noticed that within their editorial columns, the newspapers have been treading very carefully on the issue, trying to strike the balance. They have been trying very hard to avoid falling into the trap set by those who are taking advantage of a media event and those who see opportunities to gain political capital. In the case of The Observer, its owner and chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, made it easy for the editorial writers by articulating a position which found common cause with Jamaicans tired of the high crime rate.
That C&W
wrap-around
I hope that The Gleaner got some serious money from its decision to wrap the Cable and Wireless 'readicellie' ad around its April 9 issue, because I feel that was a decision spearheaded from the advertising department. Frankly, I wished the ad had not said "The best news in today's Gleaner is there's a cell phone that comes in a box already connected." That is far too much of a compromise. I think The Gleaner has taken a big risk and will sometime soon have to decide where it is going to draw the line?
A modern photographer, Headley 'Dellmarr' Samuels is doing what every good photographer should. He is modernising his operations, using the latest in computer technology. I like that. He could have just said 'well, the computer is for young people, not for a veteran like myself' and leave it at that. By the way, I see that 'Dellmarr' has left the Sunday Herald and is now plying his trade with The Star where he has a page on Saturdays. And he is unable to hide the enormous paternal pride he feels in having his son Cornel following in daddy's footsteps as a photographer. Gwaan, Dellmarr.
PAJ alive and well?
Press Association of Jamaica president, Donna Ortega does not need to be defensive about me telling on members for not turning out in droves at the annual general meeting. It's not the first time. I would have preferred if she could, in her letter reacting to the last Spike, have said how many of the "150 registered members" actually attended the meeting. In any event, it's not a reflection on her presidency. Lord knows, the poor girl tries!
Gleaner's secret weapon
The Gleaner appears to have a secret weapon on its pagination desk. Last Saturday's paper was absolutely spanking! Saturday is not usually known to be a great day for newspaper sales. Clearly, The Gleaner is seeking to change that. And I have been watching the Youthlink pullout on Tuesdays. I must say its quite charming and bubbling with the energy of youth.
SunDay sparkle
Across town, the Sunday Observer's SunDay magazine which had lost its sparkle, appears to be on the up, with a more aggressive creativity under features editor, Dawn Campbell. I'd like to see that maintained.
Send spikeables to spike@jol.com.jm; desal@cwjamaica.com;or fax to 926-0295
Desmond Allen is a journalist for over 27 years.
