CNS barred from media brief
(CNS): The premier's press secretary barred CNS reporter Wendy Ledger from entering a government press conference at the Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon. McKeeva Bush had issued an invitation to the Caymanian Compass, Radio Cayman and Cayman 27 but omitted to send notice of the event to CNS. However, as the CNS reporter was already at the assembly building in anticipation of the Finance Committee meeting, Ledger made efforts to attend the media briefing in which the premier was to announce the details of the FCO's approval of the 2012/12 budget. At that point Charles Glidden refused Ledger entry into the LA conference room for the media briefing as he said he had not been instructed to invite CNS.
The on-line media house has been omitted from the invitation list for several government briefings recently and the premier recently told Ledger via email not to contact him regarding any questions because of the ongoing legal action he is taking against her and Nicky Watson, the owner of CNS, because of an opinion piece posted on the website's Viewpoint section last year.
Despite having a regular readership of more than 60,000 unique viewers per month, Bush has criticized CNS and described it as not being the “real media” and on Wednesday he accused the reporter of being “nasty and vindictive” during the budget debate.
With the CNS news site being an increasingly popular forum for critics of the premier and his government to express their frustrations, his dislike for the online media service has grown in recent times.
Regardless of the hurdles being placed in front of Ledger however, she said she would continue to keep close tabs on government and post reports in that regard.
“As a result of the wide support CNS enjoys in the community, the information still flows into our news room from myriad sources and we are confident that the premier's efforts to prevent us from gaining access to official media briefings will have little impact on my ability to keep the news coming,” said Ledger. “The premier may not consider CNS to be the real media but we believe that our readers think it is very real and we can assure them that we will continue to post very real reports.”
During the government press briefing the premier confirmed details that CNS had already posted on Friday in connection with the UK's approval of the budget and the various conditions which government was to meet.
Category: Politics
He's the 'Last King of Scotland'. Not long now before critics start disappearing because, according to his delusions of mas grandeur, they are simply "jealous" of him.
Dear Mr. Premier,
At your last public meeting about the tax on expats, you waved a Bible in the air and said, "This is the only book I need to do my job". Many have proclaimed Cayman to be a Christian nation. Therefore I ask how your barring Miss Wendy from attending a press conference is a Christian act? Ask yourself, what would Jesus do? According to the Bible, we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. No man is above any other man. All men are equal in the eyes of God. People should ALWAYS come first. Holding grudges and discriminating for personal or professional reasons goes against everything the Bible teaches. Your fellow man must always be treated with the same dignity and respect that you would like to be treated with. There is no separation of Church & State in Cayman which leads to this extremely contradictory act of yours. Politics is a ruthless game whose rules often run contrary to teachings of the Bible. You cannot possibly be a proper ruthless politician and a good Christian at the same time. You have free will and choices which are up to you. You can make decisions that are hurtful, unethical and vengeful or you can act like a proper Christian. What you chose to do will be seen by all.
Maybe you should consider the following tests in making future decisions. These guidelines are the motto of the Rotary Club.
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
I assure you that from Wendy's perspective you did not pass this test.
Good moral and fair leadership is the way to a better future for any country. Tactics of the bully result in the division we see here today.
Incredibly childish and unsophisticated. An embarrassment to Cayman on the international stage.
the actions by the Premier are again one of the long list of things that clearly demonstrate that he is ill fit to even be a feature in Cayman Politics needless to say Premier of this Country. He is countrified, with limited vocaublary and no social graces. Hereverts to seal to those ignorant illiterate ways when he feels he is underthreat and his purile and childish responses are signs that here is a man that cannot survive less thrive under pressure.
CNS. you serve a very important role in the media. THis man is a wanna be dictator who wants to parade as an intelligent statesman. No one will call him "Father of the House" because is is the picture boy of a "national discgrace" so he touts it himself "self praise is no praise". Caymanian's far and wide, it is time to retire the likes of Mr. Bush and his bunch of rough necks. It is time to think carefully of who we put into government and choose people who we know will go in to make a positive difference, who can rub shoulders with international leadersas they hold the same intelligence, wisdom and humility in their service to their country. This government and i mean all of them are either wanna bees or selfserving. Sweep them out Caymanelse we will have to run from Cayman and work to live in another man's country,
They are truly a parliament of buffoons.
LOL… CNS may I suggest you rate everybody TROLLS on your site, because that is just what is going to happen! There is nothing that is going to stop these TROLLS no matter how much you try to deter them from making comments.
Roarrrrrr… LET THE TROLLING BEGIN!
The trolling has begun! Congratulations, you've earned yourself the distinction of being troll number one. +
To paraphrase a line frm my son's favourite movie – "Years from now, people will ask; Where were you when these men destroyed our country and we will answer; We just stood by and watched".
The women of Cayman could take a lesson from the women of Togo. Starting tomorrow the women of Togo are refusing to have sex in order to force the resignation of the corrupt Presisdent Faure Gnassingbe. They have tried various other ways, but figure this is the best way to persuade their men to take action as well. Good luck girlfriends!
My poor people, listen to me. I am the great Bantu Tree. It is my destiny to rule over you with my rod of iron because I know what is best for you.
I was chosen by God himself to lead you in the way of truth. If I want to go to Vegas once in a while to entertain myself with your sweat offerings, then this must surely be your reasonable service.
I am above your petty laws, so do not try to hold me accountable to a framework which cannot possibly contain my magnificence for I am the great Bantu Tree.
In fact, I craft your laws with my advisors who have your best interests in their hearts. While I am in Vegas trying to claw back the millions that the unrighteous ones have taken from me, my advisors are busy in the Lodge trying very hard to see how they can make my gowernance sustainable.
I do not worry too much about those funny handshakes and stuff because as long as I have cash in my hand and the wheel is spinning, the world is at peace.
My children all is well. Pray for 16 red.
Your benevolent ruler, Bantu Tree.
This is the funniest thing I have read all day…
Back in the 1960's there was a popular T-shirt slogan which read,
"Imagine if they held a war and no body came"
Now apply this same sentiment to our situation here:
"Imagine if the Premier called a press conference and no body came"
Without the press or the people, politicians have zero power. They become useless money sucking windbags.
CNS Please be warned that in about 8months from now, you and the Rooster services will be greatly appreciated by McKeeva and the UDP Party. They will need media coverage, as not too many people watches Cayman27 or listens to Radio Cayman. Look out for people like Lorna Bush, Ellio and Steve McField coming forward to write comments and talk on Rooster….you guys will be used extensively, especially by Ellio and Rolston. Those two makes me so sick, just to hear their XXXX cover ups. Never mind Wendy, you will be more than invited to their meetings. Do not give up,Do not get discourage and Never give up…they like to talk, blame and argue….thats their style. We the general public are totally tired of them.
16:04 are you saying that the PPM will mo longer appear on Rooster and the UDP will take over the two days a week segment reserved for PPM.?. Boy if you are they should lock you up because whatever ya drinking asking you hallucinate
Can anyone tell me who is considered "PRESS" in the Cayman Islands? What is the criteria to be considered "PRESS". Do you have to be an empployee of a known media house?
Was Cayman Net News invited or are they not considered Press?
Radio Cayman (which is Government owned) was invited so was someone from Vibe FM, Rooster, DMS radio Stations and other radio stations invited?
I am thinking if it is "press briefing" from the Government on public issues then why is the Premier allowed to select who gets to attend?
Is this even legal? It is not like he was having a private function at his house.
I am not sure what the Premier's objective was by excluding CNS because with technology these days, she can still listen to a tape recording or review someone else's notes and still write an article commenting on anything he said.
Your horns are showing Mr. Premier. You are now appearing as nothing more than a spoiled child.
This is what happens when some one who is put in charge decides that he knows more or better than enyone else about everything. In his mind (and not only his) he can become the only one with knowledge. Everyone else becomes the ones who need his knowledge or the ones in his way.This is the Cayman islands of today. The great and honorable premeir Caymanian and only his greatness can tell who is press and who is not. Who is honorable and who is not. Who is in his way and who is not. If you are not a voter for him then you are in his way. Caymanians all of you. Old timers and brand new. This is your creation. This is your legacy. And now it is your life and your future. On the flip side for those who are benifiting from the great flow of never ending cash and bonuses, gas and free plane rides, jobs, health care, pensions, paved driveways, hurrican shelters, never ending work on schools, free rent for your offices, SUVs, private security, and the knowledge that you will be taken care of for the rest of your life…………You win. And honorably so.
Mr. Premier, Any politician knows that when they decide to run for politics, their life is put under a microscope and they will be open to many, many criticisms. Criticisms are a person's or a group of person's opinion, which the last time I checked we are still entitled to as long as it is not libelous/slanderous and even then we can render it if we are willing to face the consequences.
Every time someone says something that you don't particularly like or that do not show you in a favourable light, you want to sue them or you show your "XXXX" behaviour by pulling stunts like this one and having "invitation only" press briefings.
I recall when you at one time considered the Cayman Free Press your enemy and you accused them of printing biased reports now suddenly they seemed to have "redeemed" themselves in your sight and are now invited in the "inner circle" again.
CNS clearly refuses to bend and kiss you know what. They only want to report to the people what is happening in Government. I welcome having all the Media Houses because a lot of times I read a report on CNS and I read a report in the Caymanian Compass on the same topic and between the two I get a clearer, more informative picture of the situation.
With this recent barring, you are forcing the people to read one view only…….The Cayman Compass. And when they write something that you do not agree with, you will also bar them as well and then what?
Mr. Glidden has been caught up in a bad situation, he was unfortunately just doing his job. To not follow instructions, more than likely he would no longer have a job and although a lot of you will talk about standing firm, if he lost his job tomorrow, none of you are going to help him pay his bills, feed his family etc. So in his case don't shoot the messenger, direct the anger toward toward the sender of of the message.
So because he is getting paid, and quite well, he should “do the wrong thing”.
When I think of all the poor innocent Nazis as ‘just doing their job’ I says to myself, what a wonderful world…..
Mr gild den is now a part of a bad situation
3 sides to every story.
There are 3 sides to every story. His side, her side and the truth. In this case, the Premier desires to express his side only to those he thinks will report favorably what he is saying. CNS (who was barred from attending) reports stories form it's perspective which often times uncover thnigs that were not said that should have been. And then there is a mixture of the two which generally contains the truth.
Several commenters complain that Wendy is harsh, disrespectful and biased in her reporting on the Premier. He in turn claims CNS is not a legitimate media outlet. Wendy has the right to report stories with a biased twist if she so desires. It is the reader who has the right not ot read it if they don't like it. If you don't like the show you're watching on TV you change the channel. I would suggest that you few readers who don't approve of how CNS reports stories, change the channel and get your slanted news elsewhere. But realize the importance of the basic rights the media has in reporting how they see fit. It is always better to have too much information in order to filter out the irrelevant stuff so you can more clearly see the truth.
Today's reporting is more than "just the facts ma'am". It is about investigating behind what is being said and the motives behind the words spoken by our elected officials. Biased or not, a truly free press is more useful to Cayman than a press bound by advertisers.
Congratulations to CNS for getting to Bush in a way that other news outlets are failing so miserably to do. In most other countries Bush would have been torn to pieces and flushed a long time ago. He's a joke and (sadly) so is much of the news media here. Please keep up the good work.
Keep on keeping on, Wendy and Nicky!
Wendy thank you for this media outlet and for reporting to us what is really happening when it happens. The bushman and his tribe are losing ground and members and your list of supporters keeps growing. Charles Glidden is yet another spineless, useless cling-on. You are too good to be in the same company as that bunch anyway. Keep up the good work!
I have frequently suggested that the best way to get under Bush’s skin would be to completely ignore him. No news reports, photo opportunities, no reporting of his public meetings – don’t accept UDP notices, announcements or advertisements. AND before you shout that would be a “Politicised ” policy – look at the various UK media mouthpieces – and that includes the BBC.
Here’s a funny thought. Remember a few years ago when Elio Solomon used to be a radio talk show host? He routinely would rant and rave about how important free speech and freedom of the press were. He was dead set against government abusing its power and silencing opposing views.
And now he’s now a happy and loyal member of a group that opposes those very things.
My how times change.
Hmmmmm, maybe Wendy will join the Mac pack
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me." — Martin Niemöller
This is a pretty shocking act by the Premier and his henchman but it is a sad reflection of the bubble that he currently operates in. A bubble far detached from reality. How is it that he got into this state? It's the people who keep on patting him on the back telling him he is doing the right thing- not because he is XXXX. Take a look at the most recent Grand Cayman magazine and the editor's message penned by no other than XXXX Mr. David Legge. The gist of his message is that any protests against the manner in which our country is currently governed have no substance, news organisations that report on stories adverse to the interests of the Premier are less than responsible and should be sued for libel. We as a community should be very wary of XXXX individuals that seem hell bent on currying favour with the Premier XXXX.
CHEER UP CNS! YOU HAVE HIM & HIS MINIONS SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS!
His ARROGANCE, IGNORANCE, INEPTITUDE, and all his other great attributes, including wanting to be called HONORABLE in perpetuity has turned off 99.9% of the people on this Island!
So please don't worry about the LAW SUIT he keeps reminding you of, he has more pressing matters to worry about.
I wonder how Cayman FREE Press will react to this.
A. Standard response to all controversial issues: Silence, don't want to rock the boat, might scare away advertisers.
B. Publish a bland, incoherent, typo-laden Compass editorial that doesn't take a side or say much of anything
C. Condemn Bush's actions in plain English on the pages of the Compass. Stand in support of CNS and make a strong statment about freedom of the press in a democracy by refusing to attend press conferences that are exclusionary without good cause.
All sane people will hope for C but we all know it's most likely going to be A with a slight chance of B.
By the way, is Charles Glidden really this far gone? One would have thought that he would know better than to be involved in all this bananna republic stuff. Has he really lost the plot like this or is it just the salary that controls his judgment?
whoa, go easy on them. They've done pretty good lately. If they challanged the gang anymore the govt. probably would unravel. I'm not quite ready for that….yet.
BTW, after all the years CG has been on the gravy train, why would you ever think he would show any statesmanshir? Just curious if you see something in him that I'm missing.
Yeah, it's definitely the cash talking. Poor Charles.
A. The salary.
Like sleeve of wizard!
What's next? Jack boots and brown shirts?
Manipulation and curtailment of the press are the first procedures of dictatorial State. Will we have a minister of propaganda now? MacGoebbels
….of propaganda now? Ummm I think we have a few
Unmistakable Signs Your Country's Leader is Actually a Dictator
1. Does he limit the freedom of personal and public speech by threatening reporters/bloggers with legal action/individual retribution?
2. Do the laws of the country seem to not apply to him?
3. Does he misappropriate funds by using taxpayer money to erect propaganda signs/pave private property, etc.?
4. Does he display signs of nepotism/cronyism?
5. Does he strategically pit one group of citizens against the other?
6. Are his own citizens afraid of him?
If you answered Yes to 3 or more of these questions, you might not actually be living in a democracy…
1 yes
2 yes
3 yes
4 yes
5 yes
6 no
7. Does the voting electorate comprise less than half the population?
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL MEDIA AND NEWS OUTLETS.
If you want to protect our basic freedom of speech and freedom of the press then it is incumbent upon you to band together as one and boycott any meeting called by government wihich is by "invitation only" or is exclusionary to any media outlet.
You cannot and should not be a party to allowing such behavior to persist by our elected officials. Anything less than watching each other’s backs could easily result in loss of revenue for your newspaper or media company by virtue of the public boycotting you for having accepted the invitation in the first place.
Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is our most sacred right. You must all stand together to protect it or risk losing it entirely.
Shame on you Premier and double shame on you Charles Glidden for participating in such behavior.
Nobody is attacking freedom of speech. Certain individuals in the media are attacking government and whatever is necessary for this economy's development. Their reports are biased and should not be encouraged. Your post is misleading and attempts to make this look like a party thing.
Spoken like a true UDP paid off lackey
You obviously do not understand the term “Freedom of Speech”‘ it does NOT mean you are free to express your opinion provided it is one I agree with. The role of a free press is precisely to question and comment on government policies whether in a favourable way or not. Without a free press informing the public you end up with a 1984 scenario…ie Big Brother government, or should I say dictatorship, feeding the public only what those in power want them to know. No one whose hands are clean and who is acting in good faith should be scared of the free press.
the press is exposing. the premierboss is attacking
Clearly your reading does not extend to the famous quotation which went something like this – ” I may not agree with what he says, but I would defend to the death, his right to say it. “. No doubt one of my learned brethren can come up with the ” Quotor ”
Voltaire
Dear Screw Tape,
You should rename yourself "screwed-up". There is nothing political in what I said, that is a spin you placed on it.
The free press is the watchdog of governments around the world. When they don't take sides and try to remain neutral it is more than likely due to their dependence on revenue from advertising. If a newspaper were to offend an entire political party they risk alienating nearly half of all voters and would surely suffer financially for it. It is not proper or acceptable for any political figure to pick and chose how he wants himself portrayed in the media unless it is a paid political ad. Cayman is fortunate to have a media service like CNS which does not back away from informing and telling it like it is.
You may recall Radio Free Europe during the Cold War. Their prime intent was to bring the truth to light and not be answerable or stifled by any regime or political party. Their radio broadcasts reached far into countries whose leaders attempted to influence populations through the media with propaganda. Radio Free Europe was able to reach through the webs governments created and bring people the truth. CNS, Facebook and the internet in general are modern day forms of Radio Free Europe. If a politician has something to hide or only invites those who will report favorably about him then we have already crossed a line into dangerous territory. Sometimes the truth hurts. We should respect and support those who are brave enough to present it to us.
Thank you CNS.
hell yea, if Yall had country at heart , yall see what misleading headlines yall post, its only to say CNS is trying to put the country down, and all the idiots that have thumbs up .ur no better.. so i take stance with the premier..and to make yall know yes i have see my pay get cut, but i have given and sacrificed to make this country move forward …CNS its not all good that youn post..
Telling the truth is biased now? The truth s that the dirt has been swept under the carpet for so many years and now someone has the guts to report the truth, its making all those corrupt politicians we have – from the top town, squrm. We as a people need to protest this publicly. This is very dangerous and the dictator has started his regime now – silencing truth. I am surprised the UK approved this mickey mouse budget. So many essential services are being cut – but the slush fund or vote buying fund gets millions more. The increase in work permit fees is disasterous. Look around George Town dear Minister of Finance – its becoming empty. Businesses which have been there for years are gone. That should tell even you something.
OMG! Get a real education. Then post.
(Edited)
Original post did not read in the way I intended.
If anything, my concerns regarding CNS would be directed at many of the posters as opposed to the owners / journalists themselves.
Then again, I am sure many posters would object to many of my offerings as well … actually, they do.
🙂
Yes, that is why everyone gives you the thumbs down, it really is.
I don't like the guy's opinion, but I think he gets a lot of thumbs down because he is a good writer.
Whodatis's writing style is awful and detracts from the substantive poiunts he is making. That is saying something because when one works out finally the points he is trying to make those points are generally the ramblings of a Politics 101 student who thinks he knows everything after two weeks.
What exactly is the point you are trying to make with this rambling mess? What does Cayman Net News have to do with the matter at hand? Trying to piece it all together.
Your assessment that the readers and contributors to CNS are all expats is hardly based on any scientific evidence and your rationale is nothing short of ridiculous.
I am a Caymanian and just because I don't lap up every word and policy doled out by the current administration and hop around wagging my tail, farting rainbows and barking about how great they are, does not make me unpatriotic. I love my country and this is why people, just like me, will speak out if they believe that something is wrong. Sorry that this makes you feel uninspired. Maybe you should go look at a pretty sunset or something to help improve your mood.
The one thing I did fully understand from your post is something that many other people agree with. The view that some of the written reports on CNS seem to be transparent, in that the views of the authors are evident and often in opposition to that of the current government.
I can understand and appreciate this view; however, I can't agree with the decision to black list the publication and prevent them from being involved. This is a democracy and we have a free press. Bottom line, CNS should have been allowed to participate.
Finally, it is not unreasonable to suggest that perhaps the Premier should consider the way he carries himself and the words that come out of his mouth if he wishes to be represented in a more flattering light. The phrase "He brought this on himself" comes to mind.
Re:
I was unfortunate enough to read the original post and it claimed to be from a "born and bred Caymanian" suggesting that most of the posts on CNS were from expats and some other drivel. I dont usually pull that card because it shouldnt be necessary but as a citizen with the same status I think that the premier should be unseated from his position, stripped of all of the honours that he has bestowed upon himself and his henchmen and XXXX. In my opinion it is people like you that have allowed this "child king" to wreak havoc on the good name of Cayman and its people. As for his party members, they should be at the least banned from political office for life. How's that for "born and bred"?
If you were unable to understand that my reference to being a Caymanian had nothing to do with my opinion of the current administration then I refuse to waste much time on you.
However, thank you for proving the primary and general gist of my post – that most of the posters to CNS are generally full of emotional crap.
I would like to thank the posters below and their supporters for essentially proving many of the points in my original (since redacted) post.
It is absolutely impossible that the number of voters on the replies to my post actually read my original post as I removed it within minutes of it being posted to the website.
Therefore, it is clear to see that many readers simply jump aboard bandwagons or have a predetermined concept of who is 'Enemy No. 1' and act accordingly – despite having no clue as to what they are objecting or crticising. However, this is typical human behavior – no great surprises here.
So, congrats to each and every one of you.
Thank you for making my point far better and much clearer than I ever could.
Whodatis with a low IQ – stop embarrassing yourself with your nonsensical posts and fake UK/Caymanian identity.
Whodatis:
I'm sorry to have to inform you that I know many people that contribute on this website and they are Caymanians. I am a Caymanian and it really offends me when you say that it is mostly expats contributing to this website.
These people are disgusting! What the hell kind of behaviour is this?
The most rude and disrespectful bunch of politicians I have ever come across in my life have taken their absurdity to a new level I never thought possible.
Just yesterday, I listened to Solomon and Anglin on Rooster and thought how appallingly arrogant they were. Their tone when responding to callers who were even slightly critical (and even those who didn't call) was a chilling combination of smugness and dismissive.
Solomon in particular was dead set on barking about his personal notion that the opposition and independent members were ignorant of the issues and had no place making recommendations.
The disingenous compliments and not so thinly veiled critiscism of the CrossTalk hosts was sickening and I have a genuine desire to ask them, partcularly Austin, if they bought any of it.
After listening to them both, I felt as if someone had dumped !@#$ on me and I needed a thorough shower.
Now they behave like rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth and gettng agressive with the media. It's just too much.
Mac and his cronies: You lot are the one's making this country look bad, not the press. Do your damn jobs with honor, dignity and within the remit of the law and do it well. That's all you should be concerned about.
I listen to Rooster every morning. If Elio or Anglin come on I turn the radio off.I don't need that kind of aggravation.
I also want to say that I am extremely impressed with the knowledge that Austin anad Gilbert have and how quickly and intellegently they reply to their guests and callers..
I do the same thing. It's a waste of my time listening to these motor-mouths who sound so phony, well all said and done. And for crying out loud, Rolston, quit with the "at the end of the day" thing. Clearly you don't have anyone to act as your PR advisor. Oh, and unless you want to commit political suicide don't back the closing of the WB road any longer. Remember, Bush is a spent force. Do you intend going down with him?
PLEASE tell me you were being sarcastic about Austin and Gilbert…Austin in particular…he’s just mastered the words game he doesn’t actually have much to say except to repeat what his guests have said in a slightly different way! Austin is trying to emulate Elio’s changeover from broadcast to politics.
I was definitely serious!
Is Gilbert a real person? As he never has anything to say, I have always thought that he is Austin's imaginary friend.
I feel genuine sympathy for Ms. Ledger as she is being prevented from doing the job for which she was trained. However, I have to say that a media house should always try to be as objective as possible. I can understand why the Premier's office has taken to barring CNS (a childish and unprofessional move in the extreme) from attending media briefings. The content of the articles that are published on CNS are disrespect in the extreme and are more often than not written in a biased manner.
When you read the 2 major newspapers in Jamaica, you cannot tell whether they are pro- or anti-Government of the day. The editorial is usually very measured and while critical in some instances it never goes as far as I see no CNS. When you choose to refer to the Premier, the duly elected and constituted head of state in the following manner: Bush, McKeeva, without at least giving him the title of his office, then you lay yourself open to not being taken seriously as a news outlet.
You only need to look at Fox News to see the disrespect with which they show President Obama to know why many people in the United States and elsewhere do not take them seriously when it comes to presenting the news.
I was always taught that in every situation someone has to be the adult. It is clear from CNS' point of view that the Premier is not an adult. In those circumstances, I expect that CNS would take the moral high road and continue to do its job with a level of professional integrity which will make the Premier eat its dust.
examples please of "disrespect in the extreme". Thank you
I don’t think we should come down hard on Charles Glidden. He has to feed his family and he is carrying out the Premier’s wishes.
The Premier, however, is quite wrong in excluding CNS. I really don’t think he has any leg to stand on here.
If the press was organized to protect freedom of the press, not one of them would have attended that meeting. That is how it would work elsewhere.
The rest of the press should beware! When they came at CNS you did nothing. Be careful — who will stand for you when they come at you?
This is yet another example of the need for the local media to get organized.
Ah ha, the “I was only following orders” defence…… What about – Evil happens when good men stand and watch….
Mac wouldn’t have hired Challo as a spin master unless he knew he would be a “team player”. Don’t be fooled, Challo is just as bad as the rest of them. Watch for Mac to put him in the GT race for a UDP seat. Another simpleton to be controlled by the Macnipulator.
Evil is only possible when the good stand by and permit it.
All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing
Edmund Burke
You to have listened to the Deputy Premier on Rooster Friday morning. She was speaking and kept referring to Bellimgham this and Bellimgham that. None of them, not one of them, who is on the government bench, can earn respect from the public. They have to first respect themselves and that is hard to do.
They are arrogant and always dismisses the callers view points, especially ' Mr.Helium'.
He wouldn’t eat their dust until he had made YELLIO taste it first to check for poison – or perhaps Challo…..
I just doubled my previous contribution to the CNS defence fund. I hope you will consider the same. Thank you CNS.
As far as I know, Press Conferences are "by invitation". The person hosting the briefing or conference, send invites to whomever they wish to have in attendance. Sorry but it is not the same as a Public Meeting.
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Private parties are by invitation only. Press conferences on public matters by public officials cannot be by invitation. Obama does not exclude Fox News from covering his press briefings. That is the premise of freedom, both freedom of the press and freedom of speech. When these freedoms are lost then we are in grave danger of being ruled in unfair and undemocratic ways. If you accept that a sitting government in any country has the right to pick and chose who is allowed to report the news then you accept that the rights of government come before the rights of the public and we all know how that turns out. Look at Venezuela or Cuba as prime examples you idiot!
My God, why are so many posters’ only point of reference the USA? This is not America. It is a British territory.
Brits and yankees is good friends
Of course. BUT, 85% of our tourists come from the USA/Canada and probably 65% of our forign investment comes from there. Stiop the USA bashing or you will irritate me!
I guess it's because we look exactly like the USA. Most of our cars come from the USA. Our traffic signals are made in the USA. The clothes we buy, the TV we watch, the food we eat and the music we listen to mostly comes from the USA and our CI dollar is based on the US dollar, not the British Pound. Therefore it only makes sense to refer to the USA for examples like the one shown above.
Ah – but our roads have roundabouts………
Ok. Since you want another example, does the Government in England exclude the Daily Mirror or the Sun from its press briefings?
Does the Jamaica Government deliberately exclude the STAR from its press briefings or does it only invite the Gleaner?
Not sure what point you were making pointing out that posters used only a USA reference, the point is can you give an example anywhere where the Government deliberately barred a particular media house from their press conferences.
Good try Civil service. As usual you need better info.
Thank you for showing us all how far you know.
The truth offends. CNS offends him, must be good for business though Wendy, plenty readers, you have him just here you want him.
STOP!!!!! Calling him PREMIER it's pronounced PRE – MATURE…
Since CNS cannot appear Rooster you run him hot lmao
Bracer
Excuse me!
Who says Rooster and CNS eat from the same pot ???????????
Sue him CNS & let him pay not the CI govt because this personal lol! There is a saying to hurt a man is to hit him in his pocket lmao! That should shut the uneducated fool up lmao!
Caymanian
Mac has already proven to the country what's on CNS is reality no need to lie, Mac smoking mirrors ran out of smoke long time ago.
There once was a Premier named Bush,
The limits of law did he push.
Although not so funny,
He hijacked our money,
And proceded to turn it to slush.
The Caymanian strongman named keeva
was a political dodger and weaver
With Ryan and Dart
His moves were quite smart
For a self serving, bully, school leaver
Ha, Ha, Ha, Don't worry Wendy, you are doing a good job. He's just afraid that you will be the first ones that get to print the headline "Premier of the Cayman Islands PLACED UNDER ARREST".
When? How soon? LMAO!!!!
Has anyone ever considered that it could be a small but hard core number of bloggers/commentators who are posting all the comments on this site? Many taking some extreme or aggressive stances (on both sides (-of what?)), which are assumed to represent the majority….when in fact it may be wildy presumptuous?
has anyone considered it could be a small but hardcore number ofpolititians and their cronies that use their power to their own advantage without really putting the good of the country first. I have.
Hmmmm, dictator/leader/dictator/leader. My spin stops on "Dictator".
Challo’s new title should be ” UDP SYCOPHANT ” , the brief definition of which is – ” SERVILE FLATTERER “.
Guess you’ve never watched CNN???
” CHALLO ” – what sort of nickname is that for a Press Secretary of the PREMIER of what is rapidly becoming a Third World country. Alistair Campbell in the same position with Tony Blair ( then Prime Minister of Britain ) , wasnever known as ” CAMPBO “. I cannot imagine why Glidden would have chosen to take on the role that he did ( apart from the presumably HUGE salary + perks ) knowing that in consequence of the content of the ” Press Releases ” he would regularly have to produce, he would ultimately become the laughing stock of the public media. If you looked up ” SYCOPHANT ” in the Concise Oxford Dictionary – there would likely be a picture of Challo. A brief definition is Servile Flatterer. I suppose that he has at least gone home tonight happy in the knowledge that, as the UDP ” Bouncer “, he was able to keep a WOMAN out of the Press Conference – what a sad person he is.
Horseshit !
What part of ” Freedom of the Press ” don’t you understand ??
He's a 'reporter'. He's from Cayman. Just like the Premier, in the closed, facist and dictatorial society we have become, he doesn't understand freedom of the press like real reporters and people in the real world do.
I just gave you a thumbs down.
And I just gave you a thumbs down too.
And yet most of you missed the point. The post was intentially put out there to attack a person who is known to be a good person in the community as the opening sentence and then the true point couched between that rhetoric which is stop writing about it, stop talking about it, get out there and find out for yourself first then have what discussions you want and join those of us who are forming action committees and the like to make a difference, talk is cheap action takes great effort but is what is needed, so the exercise just proved to me that very few really want to act if this site is anything to go by they just want to vent. Venting is fine but worthless if no action no plan is put forward. Peaceful demonstrations, peaceful townhall meetings held by non-politicians, grassroots efforts to make the will of the majority known is what democracy in action is about. My apologies to Len for using him without permission in this exercise to make my point he truly is a good democratic man from what I have seen and like Mr. Peter and others people of action. Also the point was to prove how easy it is to push buttons and that is what you learn in how to be a politician 101 and the person who allows that is the person who loses in the long run. I dare say Mr. bush is a shining example of this.
Charlo is such a kiss a$$
This would make a good headline in the international news:
Premier of the Caynan Islands sued for preventing freedom of the press and for intimidating the press…
I am sure that somebody will make sure that it is – and rightly so.
Who cares about the international press? they all have their own problems. The Premier is always bringing lawsuits against the press so surely the press including CNS is entitled to bring lawsuits against him.
Please CNS publish Bodden v Bush 1984 (I think), how ironic that would be….
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They say history always repeats itself, which in essence means the website will be shut down and Nicky will be elected on a UDP slate and made some kind of fake Junior Minister with responsibility for creating a welfare states twenty years down the road when Caymanians have no pension funds with which to retire.
How childish,man I feel proud to bea Caymanian today
"Uncle Chalo" from "Kids Roundabout" on Radio Cayman? Now turned bouncer at LA? Really?
Priceless. Did anyone get a photo? I can't wait to see Rundown next year!! HA HA!
Why did the other reporters not walk out until CNS was alowed in.
THAT is a very good Point?
There needs to be a Show of Strength and unity among all of the Press in these islands.
After-all, is "Freedom of Speach and Freedom of the Press" not enshrined in the Constitution of theses islands?
More-so, are those freedoms not Guaranteed under BOTH the British Consitution and the EU of which WE ARE SUBJECT?
IS the CONSTITUTION not the Highest Law of these islands? …and is it not the DUTY of the Governor's Office to ensure that the Rights of the Caymanian people outlined within the Constitution are protected?
Do you really have to ask that question!
Maybe….just maybe they were not even aware that she had not been allowed in.
If I have already entered, unless someone makes a spectacle I am not aware of what is going on at the door.
Shame on him and the other media houses for not reporting this story. It could easily be any of them next.
UNDER WHICH LAW can the Premier or any of his associates bar anyone from a PUBLIC place (with the exceptions of such reasoning forthreatening voilence or criminal acts, or terrorist acts, a Court Order, etc) ?????????????
This is the SAME typical behavior Hugo Chavez took on the on-set of his reign in Venezuela. I see the same similarities here.
CNS, I strongly recommend you take legal action against these people for your rights to public information!!
Thank the Lord Jesus Christ our Human Rights will be ENFORCED in the very near future AND that the upcoming General Election is right behind it!!
I CANNOT wait to see and hear the last about this man and with his dishonorable behavior.
Life has taught me that when one has nothing wrong, they don't have nothing to fear.
What is the Premier and his such, has to fear?????
Bush is not a Real Premier.
I second that
I'll third that
4th!
Well, you know you're making a difference when the Premier's minions focus upon you.
It's not right to exclude CNS, nor do I believe that they have the right to do so.
CNS reports the news, and we comment on it. CNS has created a forum-based site that is our primary voice, and without it, the people would perhaps not have a clear indication of their solidarity. I believe this is the real threat that the Premier would like quashed — the written solidarity of the good people of the Cayman Islands.
''You don't agree with everything I say'' ''you can't come to my party''
What a childish move by the UDP!!
What is going on……..
Congratulations Nicky and Wendy! Someone once said that the job of the press is to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Obviously you're doing that or this wouldn't have happened. Wear your banishment with honor!
It sounds like vindictive is his new word of the year.
I believe that an official reason should be given as to why Cns was barred. I am also unaware that government has powers which enable control over the medias attendance at such important briefings. Looks like Communism lives on. The press secretary should also be ashamed, I doubt he sleeps well at night.
It's not communisim, it's fascism. It's also incredibly childish. "You can't come to my briefing 'cos I don't like you. Nyah nyah nyah!!"
Human rights? Cayman islands? Not on my watch bobo.
Which is the price Cayman pays for the hysteria about gay marriage which threatened to destroy Cayman by increasing the likelihood of some decent interior design and clothing stores opening.
In a related matter the Government has just announced that the book burning due to take place on Saturday has been delayed since the Premier hasn't finished colouring in the last one.
Books currently excluded are
"Psycho"
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
"Analyze This"
"Anger Management"
"The Shining"
and the new football training manual "Mein Boot Kamp"
The problem is that CNS loves to enlighten us with their opinion of events, and this coupled with the publishers stance on every issues leads to very great bias on these stories relating to the present day government. Stop inciting the people and the government with your bias stories and report the news as farrly as possible, then you will be a respected news organization.
If the local and international press had not used “online” communication facilities, Gadaffi would still be President of Libya. Reboot whatever brain you have and get a life.
"submitted anonymous" translates to: "payrolled McKeeva stooge". Ignoring the fact that CNS actally provides a pretty objective view on proceedings in most democratic countries with genuine freedom of speech and the press there is an ability for all news publications to be able to report news and other items of genuine public interest. It is inevitable, normal and healthy for some of those publications to be weighted politically in one direction and some publications to hold the middle ground. You can't just exclude publications you don't like – unless you're one of the more infamous types of leaders that really don't bare thinking about.
Where exactly does this stop?
It is completely and utterly wrong. What is worrying is that the party that gets elected in the next election will not necessarily be the party which is the best party for the country. It is the party that the voters elect. How capable is the electorate to go ahead and objectively vote in the party that will be best for the country? Or how much will the electorate be forced to give consideration to issues they are force fed and based on prejudice and lies…. What's really sad is that the next election will be fought on issues which are currently of relatively insignificant concern but which will be blown up into real issues by the efforts of political parties?
There's a very good reason that McKeeva carries that beautiful smile of his – it's because he knows this. Those people within the community who have influence and are respected by others will fail to stand up and do anything about it. The XXXX characters of this world who should do more but do not have the balls to stand up and do the right thing.
And I suppose "Voice of Reason (not verified)" identifies you fully? In case you didn't know, you're also "anonymous".
Remember this anyday "The Pen is mightier than the Sword".
Try using a pen in a swordfight.
True, you can't win with a pen in a sword fight but the saying that "sticks and stones may break my bones but words cannot hurt me" is wrong. Words do a lot more damage than sticks and stones. For instance, how many people are tried in the press of the court, Presidents elected, etc? Many if you check the news, you will see that most are one sided in favor of one person over the other. Even when someone is found innocent by the jury, people believe they are guilty because of what is written in the press.
“he loved Big Brother”
Yes CNS, that’s the price you will have to pay to be respected. DON’T DO IT
Bush if your not going to let CNS in then you can't post any more anonymous replys on CNS. But we all know your not into following any rules.
Well that's not unlike your method of, um, 'leadership' then is it Mr Bush?
You 'enlighten' (poison) us with your opinion of events, and this coupled with your personal stance on every issue leads to very great bias on how you spend our money, and how your view us, the people you are supposedly paid to represent, but would rather disrespect by calling us donkey faces and devil worshippers because we don't happen to agree with what you say and do, and finally have a forum via CNS to make our voices and opinions heard, which you don't like do you? But you better get used to it. Stop inciting the people and the government with your bias and spend the public purse as farrly as possible, then you will be the respected leader that you so long to be.
well if you write just to attack the government or insinuate stuff about the government and the premier all the time, what do expect cns? i understand the premier has made threats against cns before, and there is animosity. however, there is not enough distinction between opinion, fact, and conjecture, and cns is the bedrock of false information to the international world. the most biased reporting i have ever seen in my life time is from cns!
Noooooo Waaaaaay……..
What ‘false information’ may I ask? Please enlighten us.
I think CNS do a great job, sure they inject their opinion by deciding what they report on but I would challenge you to show me where the informatiion is false. In my opinion they've been very restrained, all the media get access to an awful lot more information than could ever be published, what you see in the media is just the tip of the iceberg.
I'd be very interested to find out exactly who at the FCO is supposed to have given the 'nod' to the latest budget.
Apart from duty staff covering conflict areas like Syria the FCO would have effectively shut down for the Bank Holiday weekend from mid-afternoon this Friday. In addition Henry Bellingham is enjoying a well-earned break during the Parliamentary recess and I understand Duncan Taylor is not due back on-island until next week. I can tell you for a fact that the Governor's staff are not answering any emails right now.
Wendy, they probably didn't want you there because they knew you'd make exactly this point.
If anyone remotely believes the budget is about to be agreed they need to wake up and smell the coffee, or in this case the BS.
Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are the foundations of democracy. Mr. Bush may not like CNS but I consider it misuse of his office for him to exclude a media outlet based on his personal likes and dislikes. Like it or not CNS is a legitimate and relied upon source of news, not just in the Cayman Islands but also around the world for people interested in what is happen here in Cayman.
The fact that there is a law suit in the courts is a moot point. That suit will be decided in due course through our legal system. Until that time it is just accusations it has no bearing on CNS right to access to a CIG press briefing.
I ask the Cayman people to stand up against this attempt by our Premier control the press. This attempt to stifle the press should worry each of us. If we do not have a free press how can we expect to hang onto our democratic foundation? What other basic rights will be next to go? Will it be our right to freedom of speech? And then what is next?
Len your rhetoric grows old. It is an unwise person who believes a true democracy exists anywhere including the US where you came from. Whilst I appreciate having as much access to as much media as I choose to view or listen too I too am one of those who grows weary of the spin CNS puts on EVERYTHING however it is their site and I can choose to not visit it. Instead of spouting off about how a democracy SHOULD function why not take action. I personally prefer to go and hear in person as much as possible to what is being said and presented so that I may form my own opinion, that is the basis for true democracy finding out the facts for yourself even then it will be biased towards your own belief system but at least one is taking action instead of having it spoon fed to one. It is so simple for all of us to be armchair critics and make no mistake this whole process is and continues to be a fiasco in my opinion but a call to arms is useless when made from an armchair why not get off of behind the computer screen and help with those of us organizing events to express an attempt at democracy in action. Bring on the thumbs down!
Well said Len and at least you are not afraid to put your name out there like the person who jumped on your comments.Pity so many people are afraid of retaliation by certain people in our present Govt.Thats half the problems we face today.Maybe a little more working together and less bsing and we might get back to where we were some years back.Yes I am not afraid to put my name to what I have to say.
I was going to but I re read. I think the poster has a poit about getting out and doing something. I do not think CNS puts any more spin on their reporting than anyone does on anything they say.
does saying 'bringing on the thumbs down' make you feel good?
He has a third-world mentality. An embarassment to everyone who lives in or cares about these islands.
That is an insult to Developing Nations.
Dictatorship or Democracy & Freedom of the Press, poor little McKeeva, we should pity him because that is all he deserves
Ladies, keep up the good work
Charles Glidden? LOL!!! If he tried to prevent me from entering somewhere all I would be able to do is laugh and walk on. Bunch of clowns
Now you know your doing your job… keep it up CNS ! This is where I come to hear the whole story, not censored news.
Hats off to you CNS!
If Government players had any sense, which most do not, they'd realize that it is better to be the friend of the media rather than the enemy. Little has the ability to sway public opinion and bring to light what is done in the dark like the media can.
This country is slowly (or quickly depending on how you look at it) marching towards a dictatorship. After all, that is what it is called when the media are barred or silenced in ways such as this.
The Premier is such an idiot, that he is unable to grasp the very common sense notions of public relations and how to address his rather embarassing image issues. The foreign masses are seriously scratching their heads when analyzing this man.
Dirt off your shoulders CNS! He is only gonna ramble and spew garbage as usual with his uneducated trimmed down self.
Did u say “TRIMMED DOWN!???
Dont worry CNS, your readers are who the Premier needs to worry about. and we will find ways to get the news to you. Only an idiot Politician will try to go up against the press, he should be kissing your butts IMHO.
Once again the first thing a dictator does it to control the media. This is perfect example of why Mr. Bush should step down. He will not include a legitimate Media outlet; this is a travesty and the peole should not put up with it.
Sue his A$$!!
I'm gettig hateful towards this administration
I wonder if the premier ever considers how useful all his choice comments and actions will be should there ever be a trial of his libel claim. I think he will hav e difficulty avoiding making his own state of mind and motivation a relevant issue.
Can anyone say Dictator?
Democratic? Freedom of Speech?
What a joke.
i hope keke loses his case & have to pay the court fees and the lawyer fees! maybe that will slow him down lmao.
caymanian
Maybe it’s time to sue him….
Hmmmm…
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090104093048AAwdG1e
http://cowles.econ.yale.edu/lec-lun/2009/guriev-090325b.pdf
Not sure if anyone else notices a theme, but it seems a favorite tactic of dictators the world over to muzzle the press…
Mini MacDicktator seems to have learned his first real lesson – now, if he paid attention about 50 years ago, lessons might have even gotten him into grade 6!!!
Sigh…
This comes as no real surprise. The premier can’t handle real media. That’s why he stopped the bimonthly media briefing that the ppm usedto do as soon as he took the government. All this shows me that he is not the leader for this country. Any “real” leader would not be afraid of the media.
what about rooster why you never invited them keke lmao?
Rooster doesn't report the news – they just read verbatim whatever CNS has on their site.
Act of a worried dictator?
I wonder how many good people McKeeva is going to drag down before he is finally brought down.Challo please quit now while you still have your good name.Please don't let Mckeeva destroy your good name and make enemies for yourself while acting on his behalf.
I think Challo has long since been painted with the same brush as McKeeva, remember when he took microphones away people at public meetings and wouldn't let others speak, when McKeeva was calling ladies "sweetheart", he should not expect anyone to treat him with respect as he doesn't deserve it, he is as done as McKeeva is
What "Good Name"? Anyone who has aligned themselves with this UDP bunch of thugs has already sold their soul and given up any hope of ever having a "Good Name"in these islands. Anyone sticking with Mac at this point is an integral part of the problem and XXXX. Mac understands leverage and you can bet he has it over all who surround and support him.
“nasty and vindictive”
This describes the "very and eternally honourable" Mr. McKeeva Bush to a tee.
Keep up the good work, Wendy. Go get 'im.
Mr Bush is making a real fool of himself and taking Charles Glidden with him. I hope Messrs Glidden, Parchment and Dilbert are looking for employment from now as they wont have any after the next election.
Disgraceful!
Shame on Government!!! Only tin pot dictators dont allow freedom of the press. Now the government is really in the league of Syria, Gaddafi, etc. Even Burma has started allowing more freedom!!! Shame on Mac, it brings shame on Cayman
It'snot you CNS, it's just that you report the truth and he has a long standing feud with the truth.
Keep up the good work!
WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN A SIGN OF SOLIDARITY IF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PRESS BOYCOTTED THE EVENT AS WELL…..?
Remember Chalo..the higher monkey climb, the more him batty expose.