Editorial

Perspective 2: Journalists Felt Betrayed By Falconer and Medley

Huntley Medley, Jamaican Director of Communications in the Office Of The Prime Minister
Huntley Medley, Jamaican Director of Communications in the Office Of The Prime Minister

Colleague journalists react to Vision’s Story re “Betrayal et al”.

They felt in a nutshell that my perspective was long overdue but no one dared to “bell the cat”. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. We have won many friends and influenced many others. We went where cowards failed to go.

Reaction

“We were elated to have seen Falconer and Medley selected, then elevated to high offices in the government.” a 20 year media worker who asked no to be identified.

These were colleagues from among us who were being rewarded for their many years of low salaries. We could easily identify with Falconer and Medley. They were like the neighbours next door who have made it big.

For us to have our own people who could relate to us, our deadlines and need to supply information in a timely manner was a dream come through. It was like a gift sent, if not ordained or designed in heaven.
We were ecstatic and felt rewarded.

When Falconer in particular started, early on the job, to show her true colours and plumage, many of us were prepared to be patient and to adopt a wait and see approach/attitude.

Information Flow

Information never flowed freely … it was like pulling tooth at times. There were heated exchanges … press briefs were like a war zone at times. We felt belittled and in a state of unease. This was not a pleasant atmosphere to be in. Information flowed in a tricked if at all at intervals. We were frustrated and felt further betrayed.

Dream Betrayed

Sandra Falconer

We felt our dream was betrayed by the conduct and treatment meted out to us by previous members of the media … Falconer and Medley whom had long careers in the media, were considered seasoned practitioners. We expected better … Portia Simpson Miller for example, was closely guarded … if you dared to try to interview her, you risked being physically assaulted. Medley was the main culprit of this strong arm tactic.(see account in Vision “Who funded PNP 2011 …”)

JBC

Falconer worked at the then Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). This was our national station with enviable achievements, although far from perfect. Detractors said JBC was a cesspool of political infiltration if not corruption. In retrospect JBC had terminal cancer and its mortality was like a ticking time bomb … just waiting to explode. When the explosion would occur was the only thing in doubt … not if it will. Did a strain of this cancer spread to certain staff members?

Medley left the Jamaica Information Service in a senior position. Both seasoned campaigners in media.

In part 3 … we will examine if they were worthy gatekeepers of information at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Have a Holy and blessed Eastertide.

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

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