We must be careful that we are not to encourage decadence in public discourse and the media, thereby fueling a tide of incivility.
Increasingly, it seems that we are people who do not care about responsible participation in democratic processes, who accept second-rate commentary without demur, and who allow fatuous dialogue to point essential information into the media.
More and more it appears that we allow our leaders and commentators to get away with indiscretions and flagrant political fouls. They have become so comfortable with the status quo that they are going beyond imprudence and misstatements to the extent that they take on the task of suppressing information, filtering and spinning data and, more recently, hurling disparaging remarks against those who publicly express disagreements with their positions. As our civic arena becomes increasingly dominated by gladiatorial contests, some of us look on from a distance, with a mild, but noticeable feeling of despair.
Dominica’s political arena which was once flowered by charisma, diligence, honesty, community spirit and patriotism may have become downright toxic. There appears to be a new brand of politics in which relevant revelation to the nation becomes a weapon or shield in the daily partisan wars, and the aim of politicians and their operatives is not so much to discuss or debate an issue on merit but apparently to brand opponents or critics as fundamentally wrong based on their personalities rather than on the content of their message. It is unfortunate when parties/persons show scant inclination to engage in civil dialogue but insist on hanging onto a bandwagon to attack others.
Could it be that this growing trend is attributed to a loss of the tradition of economic independence, intellectual farsightedness, and moral and spiritual leadership? There is the theory that immediate gratification, economic dependency, nepotism and indolence exist today more than ever. As a result, more frequently than not, some of us may owe our fortunes and success either directly or indirectly to the state. This dependence on the state – and by extension a ruling political party- for continued favours may have washed away our pride, dignity, principles and honesty whenever it suits our needs.
If this theory is true, then this may explain why for some of us, our conduct is not characterized by virtue, wisdom, or dignity. Rather, our conduct is of poor taste, a reflection of the same proletarian mass-culture of present-orientation, opportunism, and hedonism that underpins a lot of societies today. After-all if we feel that we do not go all out to defend our turf, we may feel like we lose our benefits and as such we get caught up in an emotional cloud which rolls away and condenses our intellect into a thick forest of personalization rather than intellectualization.
Even if the above theory holds merit, we should not feel compelled to speak without thinking or to think to speak recklessly in the interest of protecting our political or economic benefits. It is time that we stand for right and condemn wrong, for until we practice such basic principles, there is only one direction our society can take and it is not for the better. We must therefore acknowledge and respect other peoples’ positions and consider their sometimes opposing opinions as a right to hold contrary views. We must respect others even if we may feel like we talk from a throne perched high in the sky. This onus is even more onerous on senior politicians who ought to be positive examples to not only the younger politicians, but to society at large.
It has always been the sincere and considered practice of a democracy that every individual has the inalienable right to express a view as long as it is not illegal and, to an equal extent, immoral. For this reason it is constantly unfortunate to find professed believers in democracy, human rights and free speech showing high levels of intolerance towards others with contrary opinions. At a time of greater respect for diversity and tolerance towards individual rights it is unfortunate that some individuals are consistently attacked for what they believe. If people choose to express their views publicly they must be prepared to accept the criticisms and adulations likewise, but it is totally unacceptable when it is at a point of personal attacks.
Accordingly, we should rally a crusade for respect, honour and dignity in the media. This attitude should be adopted even where one may be a teller of truth, exposer of deceit and corruption in the interest of the state contrary to our party’s interest. When persons are on a tangent of their own and act foolishly, we should not lapse in telling them that their actions are wrong. Equally, we should encourage those who sacrifice their time including our genuine politicians who use the media for the betterment of Dominica.
Let us hope that we work to rid our wrongs while we consolidate our rights- a national introspection may be recommended to halt any further decay of what seems to be eating away our social fabric.
This is a brilliant article that was well written. Before I delve further into this one, we can start by being truthful and honest with our citizens. Truth and respect only occur when you hold your audience, in this case our local citizens to the highest esteem possible, regardless of political allegiance.
That being said, it is easy to misrepresent the public if you believe that they will tolerate such misrepresentation. For example, why would an entire cabinet flat-out lie to its citizens about night-landing at Melville Hall Airport, when everyone and their brother who have flown before, knew very well that this was not possible because of tall mountains located within a few miles of the runway?
Probably because they can.
Beuatifully written. Every word made its point.
Politics and favouritism should not cloud our judgement.
Lets hope that the judgers/haters/sudo politicians/second hand information believers reads this and take time to understand it.
@hopeful:
I wish that too!
These Talk show hosts are not JOURNALIST, they are commentators who give a running commentary on what they percieve as the hot topic of the day. Think of it which journalist would survive in todays ma rket if he continually highlighted the same story week in week out for over one year.. Isn’t anything other than Skerrit worth reporting, Enough already
positive post, i hope alot of people get to read this ,because this nation appears to be heading down a slippery slope,for a small nation like this to be embroil in so much controversies,that we cannot tell facts from fiction; heaven help us all, but we got to help our selves.
@True Dominican: The same point people have been trying to bring across for the longest while. We have to learn WHEN to get the message and try leave the messenger alone. Please try to put aside the politics, it’s a national problem affecting the country.
@billy bo…they are just exercising thier freedom of speech to that wich they agree or do not agree with..if they dont do that the polititions wud still be doin the same thing rather we wudnt know about it n the nation would be oblivious to things happening around them…there wud b noo connection between the govrnment and the ppl without those journalists/media..
@yep: ubbiased news REPORTING.
This is a brilliant and timely piece of work. I must applaud the writer. The new golden rule prevails in Dominica today more than ever before. No, it is not the old rule: ‘Do onto others as you would like them to do onto you’ but rather, ‘He who has the gold makes (and brakes) the rules’.
When the voices of a people are in trouble, democracy is also in trouble. If this current slide and state of affairs and mind set continue as the writer eludes to, then the resulting consequence will not be pretty…..Haiti in the Eastern Caribbean anyone?’
@Chief: wee chief i’ve got news for dyou. why do you think cnn’s rating have gotten to low. let me answeere that , it is because of the other newsbroadcasters which have very stronly opinionated progrmmes.
duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. UNBIASED NEWS IS A THING OF THE PAST. THE MEDIA CONTROLL THE MINDS OF INDIVIDUALS IN CASE YOU DID NOT KNOW.
I am asking the author to write in such a way that a simpleton like me can understand. The level of language prevents me from understanding the message.
Required some time and dictionary use for the regular reader like myself, but was worth the effort.
Great Work.
Some things don’t happen over night. It’s just that sometimes they are in our faces and we either don’t observe or turn a blind eye, and then suddenly, Boom.
‘Assistance’ to the people ‘in touching their lives physically’ with plywood and galvanize began quite some time ago. It only took that to spark the trampling over each other’s head to see what ‘I’ get. And here comes the ‘crabs in a barrel’ society all of a ‘sudden’. But the eggs were laid, fed, increased in number and then hatched, spreading feces and reproducing all over.
The onus is so much on the ‘individual Dominican’ regardless of status or class to make the difference. And to say NO! when necessary out of dignity to drugs, bribes, prostitution and all wrong doing. And Yes! to working for a better country irrespective of party affiliation.
It takes two hands to clap. in the arena there are two or more sides of oponents. Be honest it is the talk shows and journalists more than the politicians who have dragged down the nation to the gutters.
Very good. Perception is people’s reality in Dominica.
Hats off to you mr. Francis for your extremely lucid,candid and fair apprasisal of the political and social lanscape of Dominica.My hope is that the message gets to our irresponsible political leaders and they would indeed come straight with the people of Dominica and help make this country the gem of the caribbean it once used to be..
I would like to think this article is unbiased… as such i think its very well written and a true reflection of what is happening. We do need to stand up for what is write in this country – when someone is wrong they should be punished and when they are right sing their praises.
Dominicans need to get to the level of education where one person is stable enough to consider someone else opinion as well as they should be able to consider the other side of a story.
Joshua!
You make me pround to read your well thought of reflection. Maybe the article is a bit long, and some persons would not read or properly understand it, but I think it was worth my effort.
I hope these thoughts dont fall on deaf ears, and most importanly I hope the comments which follow here on DNO will reflect the high standard that you promote. If they dont, DNO, please dont disrespect the article and let them through.
On that note, I think DNO needs to stop putting so many headlines about these toxic issues that only generate useless talk, and start putting articles on more upbuilding and positive stories.
ADMIN
DNO will continue, as a news organisation, to report on the NEWS… without bias or favour to the best of our ability and based on the small resources we have. At the end of the day, the reader is free to make their judgement of what is negative or positive news. In the case, we can stand proud that we have published positive news all the time, which is often overlooked by the same criticis as too boring.
i am in agreement with your article but i found your wording was to verbose think about it are you in favour yes or noor here comes a debate
A little too biased… It’s real talk but it has to go for EVERYONE!!! Not just one side don’t you think?!
Well thought, well composed and well written. Thank You, Mr. Joshua Francis! I’ve read your article twice and encouraged others to do so. The democracy in Dominica is in serious decay, too few will rise and stand for what is considered rightious. You have demonstrated that you’ve got the the morale fiber to point out the the ills perpetrated by those who want to safeguard their interest. They are the same people who’d like to place democracy last and impose their will on the people. Thereby. turning our fragile democracy into a Coconut Republic. We need more commentaries like yours to enlighten our readers. The talk show saga will continue to expose the dangeroius qualities espoused in our elected and appointed leaders. Dominica is at a crossroad, and we pray that its people can come to their senses, demonstrate a high level of civility before its too late. Thank You DNO!
Without a doubt I support you Mr. Francis and will further add that we as a nation need a reform in our action. We ought to do some serious reflection on where we are today and where we are heading as it relates to surviving as a nation on values of integrity. It appears that we can no longer have deference in opinion and still respect each other let alone live in unity.
However, I have every hope that we will bring back the good old days when we could publicly criticise each other without any hatred and was still able to demonstrate love for our brothers and sisters.
I am confident that my people are a nation filled with love and upon reflection will do the honourable work to restore respect, love, honesty and unity in our beloved Dominica.
I really wish that everyone would feel the same way. Because we really need to change our trend of thought so that Dominica can move forward in a positive way Please people lets help our country.
What is going on in Dominica right now is the “death of real news” in the media. It appears we have past the era of the collection and dissemination of substantive and unbiased news to a trusting public. We now live in a radio talk show universe which celebrates the opinions of individuals who holds up the pillars of political partisanship and who are encouraged to do so by their parent organizations because their brand of analysis and commentary is highly profitable.
A US politician observation that “everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts,” seems almost quaint in an environment that flaunts opinions as though they were facts.
Journalist, of all people, should know that opinion should be based, no matter how loosely, on facts. But these days our talk show ‘journalists’ seems to live in a “fact free” paradise and they feel free to bash anyone who did not agree with them without giving any reason except personal dislike or distaste. All they did was spew negativity. Hate speech, no matter how genteel, is not journalism..
I remember the days when the Dominican public use to gather around the radio to listen to the news as it was. The ritual permitted, and perhaps encouraged, shared perceptions and even the possibility of compromise among those who disagreed. It was a time when journalists were motivated to gather facts about important issues. These days the line that separate facts from opinions has been blurred by some of our talks show hosts and it has fostered division among the gullible public already divided by sharp partisanship.
While the freedom of speech is a hallmark of democracy, even democracy has its limits because one cannot parade opinion as facts. These are two different ball games and the blurring of the line that separate the two is dangerous to democracy.
Great work JF, thanks for sharing such high quality work to DNO and the Sun news paper.
indeed that is a good post even though it sounds biased/one-sided,,,,,but i suppose this once was influenced by past n even more so disturbing,,recent happenings,,,,since a senoir minister has been making headlines for 2 weeks now,,,,our problem is we can’t have a good ol dialogue,,,can’t agree to disagree,,,can’t admit that jack sparrow’s arguement is better,,,n we support foolish n non-nonsensical statements even though we thoroughly know that it makes no sense,,,,we are in a deep illusion of colour-hypnosis,,,,we refuse to accept what is against our perception even if its for our betterment,,,,,how can we as a people support the closing of a major company which provides jobs directly n indirectly to the citizens of dominica behooves me,,,,are we willing to kill productivity for love of party,,,,when our leader have to ask for mediation to a matter of public interest is it okay???? i mean seriously b4 u play political games,,,,shouldn’t u n i be consulted,,,,cause last i knew is we put them to do a job,,,they are answerable to us,,,,,we are the shareholders while they are simply managers left to do there own will,,,the parties are not of more importance than us,,,,,at the end of the day we are all dominicans n regardless if our neighbours is red,,,yellow blue or green when there house catch fire we are the first on the scene with pail of water in hand,,,,,,this attitude needs to be brought out on a national level,,,,,we the people are like chips in the political chess game n its very sad,,,,because the truth is behind closed doors these individuals toast n have a merry time,,,,some are close friends despite what u may believe,,,,it is time we look at issues as dominicans n not alliance to one party,,,,,not everything ur representative says iss right,,,,n it is your duty n mine also to put them on the right path,,,,,for e.g what if the citizens of T&T had given their p.m full support on the recent statements would she feel she did any wrong,,,,indeed those she represents support her so she has nothing to fear,,,,,,,,she recieved immediate backlash from the populace n so has even put her political future into question for this will be a hot issue come next election,,,,,so to we must let our leaders know that in the capacity that they serve they must under no circumstance put the well being n livelihood of the citizens at risk,,,,for a man of the people by the people will not act in such ludicrous way,,,,