Media must be fair and objective

Dec 03, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I do not agree with columnist Mr. Freddie Kissoon that Ravi Dev is a convert to the PPP cause (November 30) or that he would become a PPP cabinet member (December 2). Freddie offers no compelling evidence in his analyses.
Freddie should know that not everyone who writes something positive about or is praiseworthy of the government or defends government is a convert to government’s cause. Similarly, not everyone who writes something critical of the government or the opposition is an opponent of the government or the opposition.
Also, polls that find support for or against a government or the opposition do not mean that the pollster works for the government or the opposition.
I do not agree with Freddie that Ravi Dev is a defender of the government in his writings. Dev’s writings are intellectual, well researched, cogent, well argued, fair, objective and balanced. I certainly don’t find any haughtiness or hate in his writings. He is humble and writes with humility. Anyone who reads his columns will recognise their neutrality and balanced nature. He does not toe the government’s line.
Several of his columns are very critical of the government. I suggest Freddie re-read Dev on the government’s handling of national security, GuySuCo, rice industry, etc.
He is very critical of the government and is not driven by any agenda – just simple analysis substantiated with facts and evidence.
The problem with Freddie is he sees conspiracy everywhere and he does not demonstrate objectivity in several pieces (I must confess some pieces are excellent and objective).
He is focusing almost exclusively on “negatives” and comes across as biased. Almost every column is against the government or someone who writes something positive about the government. While I agree with Freddie that the government is no angel and needs to be critiqued, one must not do so with obsession as Freddie does and one must be balanced, open minded and objective.
Columnists and the media in general must search for and find a balance between portrayal of negative and positive happenings in society.
The media is a powerful catalyst for change and it is incumbent upon us (writers) to profile issues with equity and an open mind. We should not write excessively on negative news.
The negatives must be reported because there is a lot to learn from them, but equally important are the positive messages that inspire many more people and I do not see positives from Freddie.
Reporters, journalists, commentators and other media people have a deep responsibility in how they project events. They must be truthful to serve the public’s interest and be fair to both sides of an issue.
Vishnu Bisram

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