BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER the Hon. Sam Condor has refused to retract negative statements he made concerning local radio station WINN FM, and instead said it was “the worst media house [he] has ever heard”.
In a continuation of his barrage of criticism, Condor called WINN FM’s credibility into question and claimed that its level of reporting and broadcast was “sub-standard”.
“WINN FM is not performing with a high level of professionalism. It leaves a lot to be desired. It’s the worst media house in the country and the worst I have ever heard,” he declared.
Condor’s remarks stemmed from a September 25 interview between WINN FM’s Senior Broadcast Journalist Bert David and BBC News reporter Ken Richards, in which David made reference to the then 21 homicides that had occurred in the Federation for 2009.
At a public meeting on Sunday (Oct. 11), Condor lambasted David and WINN FM, claiming they were an “embarrassment to the country”. He urged party supporters to boycott the station’s programmes and activities.
“All [David] find to tell the reporter is that we had 22 people murdered for the year. That’s all Bert could see in the country, with everything that’s happening in this country.”
Added Condor, “[WINN FM] is the worst thing that has happened to the airwaves of this country; they really should be broadcasting from the landfill over Conaree...they should be working with Solid Waste.”
When asked if he would retract his statement or apologise to WINN FM, the Deputy Prime Minister vehemently stated he would do neither. He said that his passion came from his desire to uphold the image of the Federation.
“I believe in [WINN FM’s] freedom of expression, but I must have that right as well. My dedication and my mission in life are to promote our country and its people. Whenever I hear someone tarnishing the name of our country I will respond and say what I have to say,” he stressed.
SKNVibes contacted WINN FM Managing Director Clive Bacchus, who briefly commented on the issue.
“I have the highest regard for Minister Condor. He is certainly entitled to his opinion. WINN FM is not above criticism. We consider it useful in our aim to continually improve the quality of service that we provide.”
