BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Sam T. Condor verbally accosted the local media houses, labelling them as “irresponsible”, “immature” and accusing them of “second guessing” the government.
The verbal jabs were thrown yesterday morning (Apr. 29) at Condor’s first press conference since he assumed the position of Minister of National Security sometime in February this year.
According to the Minister, the press conference was to update the media on the developments in the Ministry and the departments which fall under its umbrella. The conference took traditional format featuring a speech by the Minister after which questions were fielded from the media.
A representative of one of the local media houses, at the opening of the question and answer segment inquired of the obvious absence of the Head of the Police Force, Commissioner of Police (COP) Austin Williams, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for Crime, Joseph Liburd, especially in light of the fact that all other members of the High Command as well as the top echelon of the other disciplined forces were present.
The question was initially answered by Deputy Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd. However, Condor, obviously piqued, used the posing of that question as his main bone of contention. He argued – although admittedly generalising - that the press has neglected its responsibility of educating the public.
“The education is the responsibility of the press…the press is not educating the public, not educating the public. I generalise it, I can’t single out…The media is suppose to publish information. The media is always second guessing. Look at the first question that we had this morning…second guessing…Why is the Police Commissioner not here? We come to a press conference, this is who we bring. We decide who we want at the press conference. Why is the Police Commissioner not here? That is not a question! You all second-guessing us…But if he isn’t here, it is for a specific. That is not of news value…this is my first press conference as Minister of National Security and you (are) second guessing me…”
Condor further accused the media of “assuming ulterior motives” and of giving the Federation “bad press” and suggested that the nation’s advancement hinges on the media’s role.
“You all second guess the government and you all always assuming ulterior motives. And I am saying that if we are to grow as a country and mature as a country and progress, the media has to play a more responsible role. The media is irresponsible, immature and give us a bad press. You all give the country a bad press and you all have to take some responsibility for this. Somebody has to tell all you that.
“How is that a sensible question to start with? You calling me for a press conference and the first thing you ask me is why my team (is not present). You second guessing me, and the media does that all the time. You all have to grow up in the media and be mature and sensible. That’s what (is) happening with the country. There are people who are making a correlation between the media and what’s happening in the country…there are people who are making a correlation.”
The affronted media representatives expressed their dissatisfaction and outrage with what they described as the “unfair” and “inaccurate” statements made by the Minister. He however was adamant that the local media houses and their immature and irresponsible reporting are the cause of the current state of affairs in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
“That can’t be your first question at a press conference because that sends a signal. That sends something…How that could be your first question at a press conference? That is the problem with the press, and that is what happens to the country. I am saying that that is the problem. That’s a problem.”
