Grenada At A Crossroads

“Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility.”- Robin Morgan. The Caribbean region has had a rich and enviable history of adhering to democratic principles and ideals. In fact the English speaking Caribbean is probably second to no other bloc of nations regarding having peaceful and fair elections. The process of involving the people in the structure of governance was not handed down on a silver platter but was instead a gradual and sometimes painful progression of blood, sweat and tears. It is therefore extremely troubling to learn of recent developments in Grenada, a fellow Caricom member state. For the first time in modern Grenadian history, the government of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell barred reporters and photographers from the swearing-in of new cabinet ministers, signaling a disturbing move towards information control and suppression of the free press. Dickon Mitchell, an attorney at-law became the ninth prime minister of Grenada on 24 June 2022. He has been the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 2021. Interestingly, Mitchell would have been a toddler in 1979 when the government of then Prime Minister Eric Gairy was overthrown in 1979 by the New Jewel Movement led by Maurice Bishop. Undoubtedly, the situation on Grenada had been of concern to the administration of United States of America since 1979, when the leftist Maurice Bishop seized power and began to develop close relations with Cuba. In 1983, another Marxist, Bernard Coard, had Bishop assassinated and took control of the government. The situation spiraled out of control quickly as protesters clashed with the new government and violence escalated. The US President at the time Ronald Reagan ordered nearly 2,000 U.S. troops into the island under the code-named Operation Urgent Fury. Grenada needs to tread carefully given its recent past. News report indicates that the Grenadian Government has also dismantled the weekly post-cabinet press briefing, shifting to a communication strategy where information is dispensed on a 'need to know basis. The Media Workers Association of Grenada has criticized the Grenadian government regarding escalating concerns over freedom of the press in the country. The association, representing Grenada's independent media, vociferously condemned the government's action, labeling it a "dangerous new low”. Noteworthy point of history was also in 1983 when then Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop incarceration of journalist Leslie Pierre, who ran the opposition newspaper The Grenadian Voice. Pierre stood in strong defense of press freedom; Bishop alleged that Pierre “engaged in acts of violence to overthrow the government.” The Fourth Estate. The media’s role as the fourth estate complementing the three pillars of democracy (executive, legislature, and judiciary). Additionally, the media serves as a regulator institution in order to uphold democracy. The ability of journalists to conduct their profession without impediments from the political sphere are more likely to prosper in a democratic system of government since such a system guarantees the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. McQuail (2009) states, that journalism can take on different roles in a democratic society. They range from being the provider of all kinds of relevant information that citizens need about current and recent events not only in the political sphere, but in all areas that concern the general population, to taking on a more active role as a “facilitator”. The fourth estate functions as a branch of the government and plays a significant role in safeguarding democracy. It is vital for every journalist to possess strong investigative reporting skills and a distinctive level of literacy which is critical to maintain the questionable concept of democracy in this day and age. The Fourth Estate is essential for protecting democracy and holding the powerful accountable. There is no doubt that the media is very powerful. In Caribbean societies, the media plays an even more significant role in both entertaining and informing the populace. In all countries where authoritarian governments exist journalists are often imprisoned and muzzled from publishing stories critical of the government, in fact some journalists have been murdered in the pursuit of conducting their work. In essence an independent media culture serves as a bastion of safeguarding democracy and the ideals of principles associated with democracy. It is always very troubling when governments move in a direction to limit media access and freedom of expression. Two fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are: Freedom of expression and access to information. Together with the safety of journalists, these rights are promoted in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #16 of the 2030 Agenda and are critical to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies. The role of media in development communication is important in promoting social, economic, and cultural progress within societies. Media serves as a powerful tool for disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and influencing behavior, all of which are essential for driving positive changes and development outcomes. Development communication is an interdisciplinary field that draws from communication studies, sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, and other disciplines. Its ultimate goal is to contribute to sustainable development by fostering positive social change, improving the quality of life for people, and creating a more equitable and just society. Caricom. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) is a group of 20 developing countries in the Caribbean that have come together to form an economic and political community that works together to shape policies for the region and encourages economic growth and trade. There are many in and outside the region who questions the relevance of Caricom in today’s society given that Caricom has always been viewed as a reactionary mechanism. However, it is never too late for Caricom to find its voice and speak out on matters that will have implications for the region. The move by the government of Grenada is clearly at odds with the democratic values of the people of the Caribbean region and specifically to the Grenadian people. The lack of independent press coverage not only undermines the role of the media as the fourth pillar of democracy but also obstruct the public's right to be informed about government procedures and decisions. All democratic governments must adhere to the theme of World Press Freedom Day “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.” The government of Prime Minister Mitchell must reverse its decision and allow for transparency in governance and inclusivity. Governments must do all within their power to engender and safeguard a free and independent media. A robust fourth estate ensures a vibrant democracy and as a result all that can be done should be done to ensure democracy continues to thrive in the Caribbean region. In the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #Grenada