Perspective 3: Were Sandra Falconer and Huntley Medley Unworthy Gatekeepers Of Information At Jamaica House … Portia Deserve Better … Was She Betrayed …?

The analysis continues even as the PNP’s Review Committee does its work. This shock loss to the JLP is still causing a lot of talk in chat rooms, on verandas, pubs and anywhere people meet to socialize and even do business. It is a shocker of monumental proportions. Like an earthquake that has shaken the foundations of political complacency especially among comrades, as the PNP are so called. They have formed the misguided notion that they are ordained by the gods to rule Jamaica in perpetuity. Jamaica is to PNP as leaves are to trees, appears to be their thinking.

Maxine Henry-Wilson, former PNP GENERAL Secretary breaks her silence: “There seems to be a trend away from two terms for governments in JAMAICA … it is critical that the PNP stops morning the loss to the JLP … the rebuilding needs to begin … a party loses its personality in government. The PNP spent too much time concentrating on passing the IMF tests and ignoring the plight of the people” Henry-Wilson asserted. She was speaking at a Public Forum hosted at the University of the West Indies, Mona Ja. W.I.

Audley Shaw, then Opposition Spokesman on Finance had repeatedly warned that “The PNP government was passing IMF tests but failing the peoples’ test”

Dr. Peter Phillips had points to prove that he could outdo Dr. Omar (clueless) Davis as a better finance Minister. Also Audley Shaw as the greatest finance minister

When Portia stood at that podium in Half-Way-Tree not so long ago, she was so confident of a solid win she likely thought graciousness was for nuns and diplomats. So when asked by a sharp female journalist what if she lost the election her immediate retort was “You think I am a loser? Those brash words have come to haunt her, big time. The media keeps replaying the tape. Losing was never part of her strategy. The mother of all squares was packed to capacity … yet the (PNP) lost the election.

Jamaicans are more astute than we are prepared to give them credit for. Pundits considered veterans were fooled. Some of us are so enamoured with ourselves and at times possess an inflated or bloated perception of how important we think we are and God forbid, even indispensable. It is possibly this overconfidence that may have tripped the PNP.

Debates

Jamaicans must never again be taken for granted and or disrespected by any leader. The average Jamaican known to me is well informed on current affairs even if not formally educated. They are aware of and participate in the many forms of media for news and current affairs. They watch television and know of, if not watch overseas debates.

Stinking Thinking

They listen to talk shows and are kept quite abreast on topical issues. So, for anyone to refuse to take part in debates … thinking that refusal will be no big thing is asinine to say the least. Such thinking is “stinking thinking” … no disrespect is meant. We should never take our people for granted. They may be more sophisticated than we can ever imagine. This is 2016, should any of us happen to forget. They all meet in bars/pubs and over dominoes and partake or hear “village lawyers” argue/debate informally on national issues. The phone companies will tell you that they make billions from just talk … alas! Not all talk is cheap.

So for Sister P and her handlers to decide not to debate they insulted Jamaicans, in a real sense. Took them for granted and dished out a type of treatment … tantamount to contempt. Was Portia Simpson Miller so advised by Falconer and or Medley, they were supposed to be her media advisors. They related to Portia at the political level. In a manner Lincoln Robinson either was not “asked to do or trusted to do.”

In perspective, it appeared that

Did Robinson feel his role was not to be a political hack, but to help craft a media image that trusted him in the thick of things but not a political activist.

Contempt of court can land you in jail. Contempt of public trust lands you in oblivion.

 

Robinson was treated as if an outsider … like a referee in a game, a part of the game but not a player. By sidelining Robinson the team was short an experienced and valuable seasoned veteran with an excellent track record and an enviable professional and ethical ethos. Robinson was too dignified to fight. He went along with the flow … as if little he did know …. why rock the boat? he may have reasoned … it would have been a difficult fight/battle to win. Was he right?

In assessing whether Falconer and Medley were unworthy gatekeepers of information at Jamaica House we must first examine the role of a gatekeeper. Consider for a moment the job of security guards … at the most basic level we expect such a person or persons to have sound vision, be alert, anticipate well, do good forward planning and be flexible. Be able to make decisions almost on their feet. Should be success oriented and be able to relate well with stakeholders, visitors et al.

Above all other activities of the Information & Communications Division must be, in my perspective an appreciation and willingness to “court” and establish positive and cordial relations with the media. I am not suggesting a kissy kissy unprofessional type relationship, but one of mutual respect, cordiality, maintaining a professional distance at all times. In my humble opinion this never happened … it was a caustic relationship which required referees to put some semblance of order to same. The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) played a role but it had no yellow or red cards to issue … and Falconer Medley et al knew that very well.

Lincoln Robinson at times played a mediatory role as the duo of Falconer and Medley exhibited a propensity to be hawkish, abusive, divisive, rude if not also crude, brutish, and even unnecessarily confrontational. Visiting Jamaica House for say Post Cabinet Press briefings chaired by the then defacto Information Minister, Sandrea Falconer was often more than not an unpleasant experience. We complained, got lovely promises.
Then she suggested “accrediting journalists” attending Jamaica House. When the plan/plot was leaked the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ). met with Falconer, the plan was scrapped. Then an email sent to me by Medley in about JULY 2015 asking me to send my credentials or my courtesies would be withdrawn. Shortly after I was “blacklisted”… no further emails inviting me to press briefs were sent/received.

I was devastated but held my head high.

Police

It was a rather embarrassed PM Portia Simpson Miller who apologized to me for my arrest and brief detention by police.

Police was used to remove me from Jamaica House … it was during the visit of the IMF head Lagarde. The media (CVM) TV interviewed me, and after they saw the story Portia apologized to me in person. Falconer said I was not “accredited” hence my being detained by police. I was never charged for illegally entering Jamaica House or for trespassing or for any other offence.

I have served at least five Prime Ministers from Manley to Holness, and been going to Jamaica House for over thirty years.

In conclusion … as usual you my valued readers be the judge.

Were Sandrea Falconer and Huntley Medley unworthy gatekeepers of information at the Office of the Prime Minister?

The verdict is yours … do give us at Vision your feedback.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.