Take crime off the front page, chairman of the National Sports Council Mac Fingall has urged, declaring that media houses are doing much harm to the country by putting crime in the spotlight.
“I personally have a problem with crime on the front page,” he told journalists at a news conference hosted by the council.
He claimed that some “newspapers in the world do not put crime on the front page as a policy,” suggesting that local media should follow suit.
He did not provide evidence to support his contention but argued that the media’s coverage of crime was helping to drive national fear of the problem.
He further suggested the practice had the potential to deter tourists from visiting the island and this would have a negative ripple effect in the country.
Fingall said: “When tourism falls down, the taxi driver can’t get a job, the maid got to get layoff and as a result then you can’t buy the paper, the paper got to lay off [people] too.
“But some people feel that is the way to sell a paper, putting fear in people.
Fingall, the comedian, entertainer and retired physical education teacher who was once a Bermudian police officer, made a case for more of the nation’s positive young to be highlighted.
He said: “There are not 500 bad young people in Barbados but the way they are presented it looks like all bad.
“And that is what the press is doing when they continue to put crime on the front page. The press can change it.”
Read our ePaper. Fast. Factual. Free.
Sign up and stay up to date with Barbados' FREE latest news.
Foolishness Fingall it’s Gangs, Guns, and Drugs that’s driving crime up, deal harshly with it and that will solve the problem.
Lets visit Singspore and find out wjat they are doing right.
Why were you not saying these things 10 years ago..makes me laugh..
the papers are so fixed on crime that if there was none in BIM they went overseas to find something. They follow the pattern of CBC. Such headlines sells papers.
Got to make that BUCK, it pay the bills.
Because what we’re not confused about is the world needing more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period. Emancipate yourself to be—in the Castle of your skin.. Nobody reads anymore, nobody goes out and look and explore the society and culture they were brought up in.
suncreed.com
With the same voice, if you are that concerned about crime being on the front page of the news, with your experience as a police officer, be it in another country, why don’t you give voice to the concerns of the crime in and of itself? No crime, nothing to report about it, all reports will then be focused on other issues.
You know that good news does not sell as well as bad news.
Many Bajans living overseas do keep in touch by reading the online paper.
Most have reached the age of retirement and collecting a good pension. Some do own Homes in Bim and would love to retire in Barbados but the Crime wave causing most of them to think twice. Their Houses are rented out and most Money stay in Barbados , but soon those funds will be taken out of the Country because we just ain’t coming to live bringing with us all the funds collecting from our retirement.
The powers that be must take a long hard look at the situation and get the rid of the Drugs & Guns .
Dont put the truth on the front page, let innocent people think they coming to a paradise and then get victimize. Let the police or government deal with the crime first. You cant sweep crime under the rug just because you want lots of tourists on the island.
Dont blame the papers, blame the high crime in Barbados. People should know the truth about where they going to visit.
It’s very easy to criticize “Mac”… not only do i agree with him but I believe that this is a starting point for meaningful discussion. I have always welcomed criticism but when you do so, you should also follow up with your solution.
Difference of opinion could only strengthen an organization, country or discussion, now is the time.
The writer I believe induced inflammatory thoughtts when he introduced that “Mac” never He didn’t ” provide evidence to support his contention”….the other side of that is the reporter never provided facts to discount “Mac’s” statement. The truth is that “Mac”is correct and I won’t provide facts to support my statement either…
What’s more important here is that it is our truth….Barbados truth…and only Barbados and those who are affected by the negative fallout will lose!
Hiding crime is not the Answer. Even if you hide the news of crime in the back pages, what do with social media ? It is time to increase the penalties for the type of violent crimes that are becoming a plague in Barbados. Putting your head in the sand will only encourage and empower the the hand full of criminals to continue their their fee rain of terror on society.
What about social media, are going to hide or stop people from posting on social media. How about increasing the penalties for the types of crimes and reckless behavior of the criminals. Putting your head in the sand will only encourage and empower the criminals to continue their free rein of terror on the Barbados society.
With the birth of mass media, it’s virtually impossible to keep crime off the front pages. People want to be informed, so it’s unrealistic to expect this to change. Only idealists would theorize such a utopian scenario.
I understand what Mac is saying. Crime and the fear of Crime is kept onstantly in our thoughts when seen on the forefront of every newspaper in Barbados. I know negativity sells, makes the almighty dollar but can’t we dare to be different and start focusing on more positive trends in Bim?
I always thought this guy was a joker but now I know for sure and he is a chairman of something or the other!
Shame on you !
I give Mac that one about tourism BIM can’t afford to lose it .that’s all we have bad news if it ever happen .it’s be on me why people would take a picture of someone shot dead in the street and post them . as soon it’s post it take off like a BAT OUT OF HELL everyone can see it SAD . but BIM IS still a safe place to visit . will recommend