Barbadian Media chose Froonzie touring the Barbados Olympic Association’s mini-Museum upstairs of their Wildey headquarters as their top story for either last night’s or this morning’s headlines – what they won’t admit, is how they have Yours Truly to thank for the chance at interviewing F. Jerome Stuart, 7th Prime Minister of Barbados… Between BGIS & PRMR Inc. there’d be no Q&A!

After his extremely expansive soliloquy on flash in the pan’s and Integrity, it seemed they expected the reporters to just pack and go… But I’m afraid I got on really stink, shouting and threatening to stalk out of the room in a rage, I was asking back for money wasted on petrol, saying this is no more than a dictatorship – very quickly, acquiesced to interrogation and he did a double take with me when I answered him back…

“Oh, you all would like some questions? You can go ahead and take advantage of me,” he quipped.

My response – “We vote and pay taxes, of course we’ll take advantage… It is our right!”

He looked as though I had cuffed him, LOL! However, even though he agreed to be interviewed, he made no effort to provide genuine responses for concerns expressed both by myself and the rest of the media… With legislation still up in the air as well as what will happen to refurbishing the National Stadium in Waterford. Take a look at the video;-

The person who asked about the National Stadium was rather bold, unlike most other journalists here, I will continue to acknowledge when another colleague poses an interesting query… CBC up’s and uses mine without a mention who made it, but that’s par for the course with them – when I was there we’d have a similar argument, but here I am lord of my own domain and will do what is right!

The coordinator, Pamala Proverbs, looked at me afterwards and asked if I must have questions every time, I said to her as we both are voters and pay taxes for the country to be run, then we are part of the Board of Directors for the company Barbados, and therefore is its CEO and he damn well better answer questions, and further, I will have questions every time! She also did a double-take as if I physically assaulted her…

If you’re a regular reader you’ll recall this is not the first time she’s tried to muzzle the Press, there was the gaffe she made over during a Citizen Security workshop at UN House late in 2012, what Proverbs (who should know better as a member of Barbados chapter of media communicators) fails to realise is that one day she’ll want the Media to come to her rescue, but when its nuts are cut off, she cannot get a bite nor bark when she needs it most! You do your job and we do ours, okay dearie?

What also occurred to me, however, is this is the second occasion where a Barbadian Government department hosts a media event and seeks to prevent Q&A on conclusion of the situation where they wish coverage. If that’s the case, don’t invite Press, just send a Statement and photos! This was at the Central Bank when signed an MOU, but I still asked questions, and got some answers to be used in another item in the near future…

It’s not even Barbados who’s guilty alone, the Bridgetown US Embassy here has done worse this year when they got new security detail (similar to case of new dog marking their turf) – when reporters cover an event at dinner time, expect a few snacks, if they make the mistake of saying they finished interviewing who they want to speak with then they’re kicked out of either Las Cibeles or the Wildey and told to forage for your own meal.

You are searched to the point where you hike your pants legs for them to see if there are any concealed weapons, you have A Keeper “An Escort,” who makes sure if you take photos, you first alert the people you’re snapping –  I am serious! Why is media present? Just send us a release and pictures, MAYBE we’ll carry the item (remember hands washing or backs needing scratching, it requires mutuality, folks)!

There was a recent function in Wildey from that same Embassy, and when the speeches were over, this other colleague was asked to leave – as for Yours Truly, I had to walk back to Automotive Art’s parking lot from their complex, just to place my camera and audio recorder in my car… Or else, face the prospect of an early departure like my colleague! If I was truly out to cause mischief, my cellphone with camera was still on me when I walked back in, this is a Bold 9900, so it has a very nice camera! Land of the WHAT? Please!

What remains to be seen now is if I still will be included in the mailing lists of either the US Embassy, PRMR Inc. and BGIS, the latter most especially, since BGIS has a case history of ignoring me if I dare to comment, make fun, or otherwise question Government policy…