PM claims opposition has full access to the media
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts- St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has stated that there was “no difficulty whatsoever in members of the opposition accessing the media” in the Federation, a claim likely to be disputed at tomorrow’s (Oct. 23) People’s Action Movement (PAM) press conference.
Douglas’ comment came during the inaugural airing of his weekly ZIZ radio program ‘Ask the Prime Minister’ following a called-in question referring to the people of St. Kitts-Nevis as “political prisoners for our beliefs” that are increasingly becoming polarized.
The caller then went on to say that the current government of made efforts to prevent the opposition parties from accessing the nation via ZIZ radio and television, an accusation the PM strongly opposed.
“I want to emphasize that this country belongs to all of us. And when I say all of us, I mean all of us with different political persuasions and with different backgrounds in life. I have never, ever tried to prevent the opposition from using the facilities that are owned by the government in reaching to people, that is radio or television.”
PAM Party Leader Lindsay Grant’s address to the nation for Independence was cited by Douglas as being an example of the opposition’s access to public media. He also went on to say that the Labour Party has created a wider access to the public by granting media licenses.
“In my day [in opposition] there were only two radio stations,” Douglas said. “Now, I have given ten licenses to all shades of opinion, so that there are now ten different media houses through which the voice of the opposition can be heard. I don’t think there is really a difficulty in the opposition expressing its views to the people.” ~~Adz:Right~~
In a subsequent question the same caller asked if Douglas would be engaging in political debates in the near future with Grant, which the PM declined to confirm or deny.
“I believe that the appropriate time will come when a decision of that kind will be taken. It is still very early. I have not called any elections. You can be assured that at the right time, these decisions will be taken,” he said.
The PM gave no indication as to when he would be ‘ringing the bell’ and setting a date for the next general election, constitutionally due in 2009.
‘Ask the Prime Minister’ is radio program scheduled to air every Tuesday at 10 a.m. on ZIZ Radio during which members of the public are allowed to call in or email their questions, concerns and suggestions and have them personally addressed by the Federation’s leader.
