Culture Minister will have to comply with audit of Caribbean Press funds

Jan 06, 2014 News

– Opposition says Anthony must justify how money will be used before approval

The political opposition is insisting that the Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony will have to comply with an audit of the funds used by the Caribbean press. He will most certainly also have to justify how local writers will benefit if his Ministry is to be granted the funds for the establishment for an Editorial Board for the Press.

Joseph Harmon

At a recent press conference, Dr. Anthony had stated that the Caribbean Press may face possible closure if the money for its establishment is not approved in the 2014 budget.
The request for a Permanent Editorial Board, the Minister said, comes in light of the fact that the current panel attached to the press has been unhappy about the constant accusations of mismanagement of the publishing house and its funds.
Trevor Williams of the opposition party, The Alliance For Change (AFC) told Kaieteur News said that the Minister will have to comply with an audit and he will have to supply justifiable reasons as to why funds would be needed for the Board and how it is going to benefit local writers.
“The Mister just can’t come and say he wants x amount for the board and everything is going to be fine. We are not against the development of any initiative that can serve as a platform to support and facilitate the growth of our local artists. The AFC is always in support of such activities but when it involves taxpayers’ money we must see transparency.”
“The Minister has to come with a proper proposal. We have been very skeptical of Dr. Anthony and anything that he comes with because he has not been forthcoming with pertinent information just like the rest of the government. He has not been transparent. We want to see a plan to show how this editorial board will work and how it will benefit the people and improve the press itself. He will not get the money through bullyism”
Williams stressed as well that at present there are several local writers who are disappointed in the way the Press is being managed. The Press is currently being managed by its Editor, Mr. David Dabydeen.

Dr. Frank Anthony

Moreover the Member of Parliament said that Dr Anthony will have to confirm to an audit of past funds, and if he gets this sum approved for the board he will also have to comply with an audit for that as well.
“The AFC has a keen focus on him this year,” Williams said.
Supporting his comments as well was A Partnership for National Unity’s Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon.
“The Minister of Culture cannot expect that any allocation of funds in the budget will not be subject to the most intense scrutiny. We encourage the expansion of the Arts and we support the position of Williams as it regards the compliance with an audit. The Minister must understand that when it involves funding we want transparency and this proposal he is coming with will undergo careful and intense inspection.”