What is there to fear but fear itself?

Jul 21, 2017 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

ExxonMobil is getting jumpy. Like it see ‘jumbie’. Like Kaieteur News is that ‘jumbie’ that is scaring the daylights out of Exxon!
The oil giant is collaborating with the Ministry of Communities in the hosting of a two- day workshop on solid waste management. This is purely a harmless event, at which Exxon is demonstrating corporate social responsibility. Why then would Exxon get jumpy at the realization that the media was invited to cover the event? What is it that Exxon is running from?
The company surely ought to know that if it is to do successful business in any country it has to ensure transparency about what it is doing. It cannot be running and dodging. Its operations have to be open to public scrutiny and the best way for the company to demonstrate that it has nothing to hide is for it to be receptive towards the media.
If you have nothing to hide, you should not be averse to the media covering an event at which you are participating, much less one in which the content places the company in a good light. But oil politics makes for strange behaviour and bedfellows.
The government usually invites the media to cover events such as workshops. These invitations serve four main purposes. They are a form of free advertising for the organizers. The media covers the event for them and the event is publicized. The media should start charging companies and organizations for the free coverage they provide to the activities which are aimed at enhancing the image of the companies and organizations.
Secondly, the media coverage can place the organizers in a positive light. The companies gain goodwill from the coverage provided.
Thirdly, information is disseminated to the wider public. Media coverage of a workshop on solid waste management would allow persons outside of the attendees to benefit from what was said or done during the sessions of the workshop. This again is free.
Finally, media coverage of events involving the government represents a form of political accountability. The Ministry by inviting the media is able to demonstrate, openly what it is doing in various areas. The work of government is made public. Citizens are made aware of the activities of the government. This is free accountability.
Given all this freeness that the media is doing for the government, companies and organizations, it is baffling why the presence of the media at a workshop on a non- controversial issue such as solid waste management should create such apprehension on the part of a company as powerful as ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil should have no fear of the media, unless it has something to hide. And why would such a powerful company have anything to hide?
Companies must view the media as their friend. They must not get jump at the sight of the media. The company has its job to do and the media has its work to do. Once the company has nothing to conceal, it should not fear the media.

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