Premier sets the record straight about NTV – on radio program, Tell Me
He was enlightening the debate on the popular radio call-in program “Tell Me”, aired each Thursday evening (8:00-10:00pm) on Choice FM105.3 to Order 3 of a Judgment handed down by Judge Lionel Jones in the Election Petition case on Wednesday morning in the Charlestown High Court.
During Judge Lionel Jones summary in court on Wednesday (March 21) he read out five statements , one of them being the following: “I declare that the petitioner’s right to freedom of expression and his right not to be treated in a discriminatory manner by reason of his political opinions guaranteed under sections 12 and 15 of the Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis have been contravened by the failure of the Nevis Island Administration on its Nightly News Cast to cover any of the political events organized by the petitioner’s political party during the campaign leading up to the election of July 11, 2011.”
According to the Premier, the Petitioner, (Hon. Mark Brantley), and meetings of his party the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) were never aired on Nevis Television, as also, none of the NRP political meetings were ever broadcasted with the exception of a clip of the Premier from a political meeting in (Brick-kiln, June 23), “ringing the bell”. He noted that it is the policy of the Government Information Department not to air any political meetings of any party.
“The only time a political meeting was remotely seen on television was when a short clip of a political meeting where I, in my capacity as Premier, dissolved the House and announced the Election date, which is an important event that affects the entire island,” said Premier Parry.
Following the Premier’s statement, numerous callers noted that during CCM’s tenure of 14 years (1992-2006), the CCM never allowed the Hon. Joseph Parry, who was then a member of the House of Assembly, or the NRP, to be aired on NTV.
The show’s host, Hon. Carlisle Powell, also noted that the CCM not only blocked NRP politicians from being seen on NTV, but also went as far as to not have supporters of the NRP on the Nevis television channel.
“I remember the best graduation speech I have ever heard was given by Mr. Oral Martin (at the Gingerland Secondary School) and because of Mr. Martin’s affiliations, that part of the graduation was removed from the ceremony replay on NTV,” said Powell.
One caller claimed, that Harry Willett, father of past cricketer Elquemedo Willett begged the ‘powers that be’ to air segments of the opening ceremony of the Sports Museum featuring his son, because he was unable to attend due to ill-health, and died at age 92 without having his wish fulfilled.
Another caller said firmly, “For 14 years the NRP could not go on NTV, so why does CCM believe they should go on now?”