Dear Editor,
The claim by Regional Chairman, Mr Clement Corlette that the NCN cameraman he barred from covering the last statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 4 did not identify himself (‘A disinformation campaign’ SN 20.1.09) highlights his unfamiliarity with being accurate.
Mr Corlette did ask the cameraman which media house he represented, and the cameraman did respond he was from NCN. After his response, Mr Corlette said “I did not invite any media house here. Clerk do you know who invited the media?” The Clerk then explained that the media were familiar with the statutory dates for meetings and would usually attend such meetings. Mr Corlette then said, “I don’t want any media here, I did not invite the media.”
My intervention sought to advise the Chairman that it was customary for media houses to cover statutory meetings of RDCs, regardless of a specific invitation or not. The Chairman then repeated he did want the media because he did not invite any media to the meeting.
Several councillors tried to have the matter discussed and decided on, and the Chairman insisted he was not inclined to entertain discussion on the matter. He was absolutely firm on not wanting the NCN cameraman there.
The media and the public can attend meetings of the RDCs, and city and town councils once they do not obstruct or interfere with the business of the council. Parliament makes provisions for media practitioners and the public at its sittings.
Mr Corlette’s behaviour confirms a dictatorial style that will not go unchallenged. The Chairman has not been elected by councillors to exclude their views, ideas and opinions. In any democratic society, the media are part of the checks and balances of transparency, accountability and good governance.
His action confirmed that on all those previous occasions where media practitioners attended statutory meetings of the RDC, it was purely on Mr Corlette’s invitation. Mr Corlette needs to tell us whether the media are invited to these meetings based on his selectivity and partisan interest.
On at least two occasions, the PNCR cameraman attended statutory RDC meetings and it may be coincidental it happened on the occasion when Mr Corlette suspended me from speaking at a particular meeting of the council when I challenged him on his illegal attempt to open a bank account for the region.
This matter takes us back to the fundamental issue, which is Mr Corlette’s dictatorial behaviour and poor leadership. His tenure as Regional Chairman thus far has been unproductive, full of rancour, witch-hunting, constant hatred and challenges for the system of regional governance.
Statutory meetings of the RDC which should deal with serious policy and welfare issues to deliver in a more efficient way the goods and services for residents, are often turned into a grievance forum for Mr Corlette who is not yet in sync with the realities of governance systems, structures and practices.
Yours faithfully,
Kwame McCoy
