Government's PR show
Published:Sunday | February 19, 2012 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
'Post-Cabinet', as we knew it, is not the same anymore. It would appear that the present Government has turned what generally used to be a question-and-answer session for journalists from the weekly Cabinet meetings and other pertinent issues into a public relations show.
I am sure most will remember the tension-filled briefings during the Dudus-Manatt saga, or even the curt answers of former Minister of Information Daryl Vaz.
What happened during those times in the not-too-distant past was: journalists would listen for a few minutes to the readings from what was discussed or recommended in Cabinet, and then ask questions relating to the reading and other hot topics that affected the country at the time.
However, it now seems as if the new People's National Party Government intends to use it to say what it wants to say and control what it wants the public to hear.
Change of Name - and everything else
At the first gathering, when Minister with Responsibility for Information Sandrea Falconer, indicated that various ministers and specialists would be attending the briefing, most thought the idea was good, and admittedly it still is.
However, the way in which they are being used is not satisfactory. Instead of having separate press briefings within the various ministries to release information, the Government seems to be trying to use the weekly forum to focus on one area when several issues that need to be addressed are ignored.
It seems that the days are gone when a range of questions on several issues would be posed and answered as best as possible by the minister. This needs to be addressed. This public relations thing cannot work.
Too often already I have heard the current minister say she did not take any information relating to a well-known topic with much-needed answers. Perhaps this is so because she does not carry the portfolio of information.
Give the journalists the answers they need and not just a quantitative review of various ministries and sectors in our country. Bring back the real 'Post-Cab'.
ALWAYNE ALLEN