{Ed’s. Note – A slightly different version of this appeared here five months ago for similar reasons, for sticklers to details who want to know when or what differences there are, then you can check HERE}

There are unfortunately way too many examples of people looking to invent a story rather than find one…

“USA TODAY: ...a team of journalists has found strong evidence that Kelley fabricated substantial portions of at least eight major stories, lifted nearly two dozen quotes or other material from competing publications…“

“PBS: … From Stephen Glass’s concocted stories in The New Republic to the controversial inaugural issue of Brill’s Content, the ethical lapses of the media have made headlines recently…“

But what about stories that are told the wrong way and have a value, but not the way they’re spun? Like when the case in the USA broke out about the 27 year old mother who used her own infant as a club against her ex… Would you believe this first came out in the Oddball section of their print or online schedules!

I am not saying the story should not run, but rather, this should be a Human Interest article as to how low a purported human being can sink?

While I cannot locate it, there was a similar treatment in the USA for an old lady who accidentally ran over husband when he was behind the car trying to guide her up their driveway and she hit the gas instead of brakes… While it does have a dark humour of its own, nevertheless, to list it immediately as an Oddball? Why was this not given an approach where here it is that a woman who vowed to be with her man ’til Death does them part had no idea she’d be the instrument? How does she cope? Does she need counselling, and who can tackle such a delicate matter even if it is to try and assuage what is now a universe of One and not Two?

I was known for finding funny but weird stories off the ‘Net – hell, it was my trademark while there – much to the chagrin of Leacock & Cox…. So it was no surprise if if you were to make the mistake of asking some of my former colleagues in the Pine about items like these? Then they would be sure to say something like – “Oh he’d love to run that – and he’d be sure to make a comment on it too!” For those that would be idiotic enough to blurt anything like that comment or worse, let me categorically state that there is only one occupant in my head and it ain’t you – Thank God!

I have done stories and they were not run at CBC, but not due to outlandishness – at least in my view? Here is a story which Richard Cox refused to run despite the then GM, Allyson Leacock, having attended this conference and wanted a story from the event; this item was going to provide a too liberal view on gays and a harsh outlook on the “Dub” crowd who are known homo-bashers…

<2buju10pmsot> 11.23.2004

[TAKE: ON CAM TAG]

{***ON CAM TAG***}

IF JAMAICAN ENTERTAINERS DO NOT STOP ADVOCATING THE VIOLENT DEATH OF THOSE WHO EMBRACE HOMOSEXUALITY THEN THEY FACE SEVERE REPRISALS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY.

AT THE RECENT CARIBBEAN MEDIA EXCHANGE IN MONTEGO BAY, ONE OF THE SPEAKERS OBSERVED THAT THE CURRENT WAR AGAINST PEOPLE LIKE BEENIE MAN OR BOUNTY KILLA FOR ANTI-GAY LYRICS IS MERELY PART OF A CYCLE THAT BEGAN OVER A DECADE AGO WITH OTHER NOTED JAMAICAN DANCEHALL STARS LIKE SHABBA RANKS AND BUJU BANTON.

GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE WHO LIKE REGGAE AND DUB HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH JAMAICANS DISLIKING THEM, THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT IS SEEN AS A PERCEIVED DEATH THREAT AGAINST THEM FOR THEIR LIFESTYLE…

[TAKE SOT]

{***SOT***}

[CG :2 LINE TEST\VINNETTE PRICE\NY COLUMNIST]

<>

[TAKE SOT

NUMBER: 03/22/55/23

INCUE: I MUST SAY THAT SOME

OUTCUE: TO TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES

DURATION:0:42]

What is wrong with that item? Did I not follow the directive? Or was this story too open-minded? It was a problem stated and a solution offered if the tape still exists… Perhaps if the story was about the latest murder or who politicians are cussing each other or if there’s a fire – do you realise that CBC only runs good news items at the bottom of the first two segments or as the last story?

In the nine years I was there, two days and two days alone were there headlines with nothing but good news! One in May 1999 and the other in March 2005 (yes, about six years apart), please understand – CBC’s top stories are three items; a Local with a Sports or Business along with a Caribbean or International… Back in ’99 that night there was some thumbs-up story on the economy from Sir John Stanley Goddard and the 2005 issue had a West Indies cricket item where they actually won, plus two other pleasant headlines…

That’s why I have my own view on local events – I try to run a positive outlook as the main ingredient, thus entertainment or sports and even business items that don’t see much promotion or awareness.

Now maybe they’re not positive all of the time, but is it any wonder those folks at Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground or Notes From The Margin decided to use an alias? If they spoke the way they did and their true identities were known? They would end up as grist for either Harrison’s Point or Internal Revenue or worse – and make no mistake this applies to either currently established political entity or even the NDP or PEP! It is the old adage of why most comic book adventurers use a mask – so as to protect their friends and family!

(Now I am being threatened for not hiding, despite possessing photographic and logged evidence supporting claims once made here… Hell, even Blogger advises adults and kids to use an alias to avoid reprisal, I chose to not use a sobriquet since I was only going to deal with true facts, but it seems the truth hurts too.)

This is not mere conjecture, if you correlate what happens in Cuba and learn what France is proposing to stop any French versions of Rodney King, then you would understand that while Free Press may be radical it is that anonymity that gives them the room to maneuver through the shadows to pick and choose what story to highlight!

So far, the BFP may not always say things I agree with – eg: like all Islam is evil; foreign management at hotels is wrong… yet the same trade unionist must be non-racial? OR – Police being searched… This shows impartiality and accountability to my mind, maybe that search should not be run by an amateur and a certified guard instead – but the search was a good thing since cops are to uphold the law, they’re not above it – if they must set an example, then so be it!

Please do note, that even though there is dissension between us on such matters, we continue to host an avid respect and an admiration for each other’s service to this island-state in our separate yet important ways!

The point is, when BFP says something, it is the truth with their opinion of it, so do I – as far as I know… In fact, like all the other Bloggers and Forums I list on the left column of this journal – because we all should strive for truth always and we should decry injustice whenever, but let’s not be so overzealous that we become the Enemy, eh? Plus, there’s nothing wrong if a blog does simple things like recipes or animals or other mundane or inane items, it’s their choice and this is ours…

I look forward to the day when this country can be as open-minded as Rick Mercer or the Canadian MP’s that dare to appear on his show and allow sport to be made of themselves yet are still good natured enough to laugh and join in on the fun! If not in my lifetime then hopefully if I am blessed with a child or children, then in their lifetime(s)?