“THIS interview must, of earnest duty, begin with a solemn warning. Those who don’t wish, or can’t afford to be completely mesmerised, would do well to avoid being in the prolonged presence of Portia Simpson Miller. Like all those tapped by fate for greatness in this life, she is possessed of endless charisma, an enchanting personality and a bewitching aura that have been enriched by 40 years of tramping back and forth across Jamaica’s gruelling political campaign trail.”
I alert you again today to another example of Jamaica’s journalism. This is the lead from a story that graced the front page of the Jamaica Observer yesterday. I was on my way to work and caught a quick glimpse of the cover and was struck by disbelief. But the day got busy and I did not have a chance to read it until today. And my disbelief is now just confusion.
The Observer is apparently beginning a series on PM PSM on the 40th anniversary of her entry into public service. Fair enough, Mrs. Simpson Miller has indeed had some remarkable achievements in an environment that is not welcoming to female politicians. But there is no way that this article is balanced or fair or critical. Check out their editorial here.
Another factor at play is the fact that the Observer is typically supportive of PM PSM’s party, the People’s National Party. While the Gleaner tends towards the opposition, which is the Jamaica Labour Party. This is nothing new- across the world, most national newspapers have a political leaning, but this Observer story goes too far.
I can’t even imagine this type of writing in an autobiography. Take another read: “The Portia Simpson Miller story is compelling and awe-inspiring. It is not for the fast-food reader. It is for the hungry soul grasping at every last detail of the heroism gifted to the Jamaican woman, and with which this daughter of destiny is so richly endowed. But they know it can’t all be told in the finite pages of a 21-year-old newspaper, happy though it is to be just the chosen vessel. Once again, the interviewer is sorely challenged to rise to magnum opus status, but feels… infuriatingly… deficient.”
That is just embarrassing.
For some independent context, I will leave you now with the Pew Center’s Principles of Journalism:
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover
Independence is an underlying requirement of journalism, a cornerstone of its reliability. Independence of spirit and mind, rather than neutrality, is the principle journalists must keep in focus. While editorialists and commentators are not neutral, the source of their credibility is still their accuracy, intellectual fairness and ability to inform–not their devotion to a certain group or outcome. In our independence, however, we must avoid any tendency to stray into arrogance, elitism, isolation or nihilism.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power
Journalism has an unusual capacity to serve as watchdog over those whose power and position most affect citizens. The Founders recognized this to be a rampart against despotism when they ensured an independent press; courts have affirmed it; citizens rely on it. As journalists, we have an obligation to protect this watchdog freedom by not demeaning it in frivolous use or exploiting it for commercial gain.
Jamaican Journal 
The two newspapers have swung from earlier positions over the years. The Observer, while being led by a pro business mogul, tended to be more critical of the JLP ( seen as the pro private sector party) in its earlier years. At the time, its owner had close leanings with the PNP. The Gleaner was decidedly anti PNP in the 1970s, tried to move to the middle in the late 80s and 90s but has now gone to the other side of being mostly critical of the JLP at present – sometimes unfairly in my view . This is not to say it does not criticise the governing PNP….but cumulatively, in its present form, it is most sympathetic to the PNP and especially in its editorials. Since the Observer owner’s falling out with the PNP, the paper became more critical. Mr Allen’s piece may just have been an attempt to suggest even-handedness. It was rather clumsy.
Yes, I think that was the Observer’s attempt to redress the balance a little! Clumsy, indeed!
Oh dear! What journalism school did this guy go to? And who edited the piece?
I meant to comment also on the political leaning of the two main papers. Like, Emma, I’d say Observer is more pro-JLP (or more anti-PNP). It’s leadership has been under Danville Walker, who ran as JLP candidate in Manchester. Not definitive, but suggestive. But, it’s maybe more nuanced anyway. The PM’s piece is pure sugar-coated PNP propaganda, masquerading as journalism. ATL’s owner, Butch Stewart, who own Observer, has supported JLP in the recent past, but also tried to distance himself in the recent leadership race, http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Absolutely-not-true_15046608
The Gleaner’s current leaning is also not clear cut, to me, though it tends try to be ‘sensible’ and to take issue with the government, currently PNP-led.
I’m catching up on Jamaican politics, so my views are not rock-solid. 🙂
Thanks Dennis, this is helpful. I am still trying to understand all the nuances. I guess I assumed that such a flattering piece meant that the Observer favoured the PNP. Oops!
I was cringing so much while reading it I could hardly bear to finish! How about her “enchanting aura,” etc!! It was quite nauseating, of course totally NOT “independent” from the person he was covering. This is a highly experienced journalist who worked with the government info service JIS for a number of years, was head of the Press Association of Jamaica for quite a while and has been working with the Jamaica Observer since its inception. But I don’t entirely agree with you on the Observer’s leaning towards the PNP; in fact at least until recently it was always regarded as pro-JLP and the Gleaner as pro-PNP. I’m not sure it’s that clear-cut.
Thanks for clarifying that Emma. this is my “foreign” showing- I’m never quite clear on which newspaper leans which way. I guess, judging by this article, that the Observer is a fan of the PNP lol.
Ha ha! Yes, that’s true! One would definitely think so… But it’s a bit hard to tell, sometimes… 🙂