The Human Condition – replete with human behaviours – attracts responses appropriate to the extent and relevant situation. And from varied perspectives. Naturally. After all, the players are indeed human – subject to frailties, ambitions, agendas, needs, etc. etc.
Tomorrow marks one month since protesters in Linden were shot dead. Demonstrations against one specific imposition, thus evolved into widespread outrage, then sustained crises, nurtured into tragedy by organized unrest and resistance against authority – the latter now perceived as outright government oppression.
What fertile ground for that community’s suffering and chaos to be exploited for the long-term advantage of some! Especially Opposition causes. (Mind you, if the consequences result in the long-term, but rapid improvement for that portion of Guyana, who can fault the protagonists, even though their methods might be outright questionable?)
But read and journey on a short journalistic trip with me, as I offer you this layman’s guide on the handling of crisis by diverse stake-holders. Even as people suffer and a community’s future is endangered. See how they use the media and their political acumen. Each stating it’s in the interest of “the people”. Various players claim community and national interests as they utilize friendly media to report and to propagandise.
Let players mean the Regional Chairman Sharma, who loves to say “Pee-ple”; the Opposition, the Government, the Private Sector, even the victims of Linden themselves.
And let media mean cell-phones, video-cameras, internet, television, radio, newspapers, other message-carriers, like even mini-bus drivers, postal workers and pastors!
“Using” a Crisis…
After the worst of the Linden Crisis is over, Students of Communication, Practitioners of Propaganda, Public Relations Operatives and perhaps, Social Activists, may want to use this unfortunate tragedy as a case-study in the use and mis-use of a community in genuine all-round difficulties, with respect to daily bread-and-butter existence.
(I suppose, in these temporary circumstances, the other extremely depressed communities such as Bare Root, Blenheim or Baramita cannot claim any urgent, priority attention at this time? After all no one has died – from (allegedly) Police bullets in these places. Is that fair, though?)
Students can it be denied that after the fatal shootings, the political opposition’s activists and leaders used friendly media to report, to influence and to advocate? In one sense that is their right. Reportage is necessary. But distortion propaganda and inciteful “announcements’” to attract selfish support can never be useful.
Great use though of the political programmes and the two friendly opposition television stations and newscasts. See, hear, students how they dwell on victims – real or fake; on specific opposition leaders and on the imagery of bullets, tear-gas canisters, fire and smoke.
Students, weigh the time given to what the particular piece wanted to emphasise and project, as against no or little time for political response.
Consider now students, the government’s responses and attempted defence. What means and operatives have they utilized?
Man, I’ve, part-time, seen NCN/GINA programmes on their “friendly stations”, such as President’s Diary, various, usual GINA features, NCN newscasts (of course, TVG News, The Factor, CIA; Under The Microscope, Close-Up (?), OP Press Secretary Daily Briefs and Doctor Luncheon.
Now Students, study what’s right, what’s barely effective and what’s wrong about these informative, defensive, sometimes propagandistic presentations.
Frankly Speaking, to me, just as many of the Linden-friendly defenders lack credibility, as their rabid political intent is obvious, so too many of the government spokesmen and women do. The pity is that often their case is just – despite the real Linden woes – but prolonged neglect of basics for that community, now render their government messages and genuine exposure of opposition mischief, unfortunately weak and rejected.
The NCN and its affiliates are not even using or broadcasting from the lone Linden NCN facility! The comfy Georgetown studios hardly lend authenticity to their oftimes true statements. Incidentally, I like the candid nature of Robeson Benn, Manickchand, Hamilton and Teixeira when they explain and defend. Pity that their messages suffer the same fate which credibility issues also attend people like Hammie Green and Lumumba. Often sincere analyses and interpretations. (They both know mischief-making well.) But poor discarded messengers the latter two now tend to be.
And quickly now Students, who represent the Opposition claiming Linden’s interest! Yes, HBTV, Capitol News, Kaieteur News, Spotlight, Demerara Waves, Nation Watch, et al. Study how the newscasts linger on the victims, feature the issues wrapped in the emotive imagery of suffering – over the years. Quite effective, from the Opposition’s angle! But this I caution: in succeeding in your objective to indict the government and set the environment for the next phase of struggle be mindful not to create the kind of chaos that becomes national. More later. Until then, Discuss…
“Development”
be damned
This will take further debate. I mean the development of-and in- the hinterland communities with Amerindian Guyanese in the majority.
Check Sunday Stabroek feature “The World Beyond Georgetown”. I contend that despite the rustic charm and occasional optimism existing in these faraway Guyanese places, the rabid reality transmits pure under-development. Under-development in the sense that those Guyanese’ quality-of-life leaves mighty much to be desired.
Minister Norman Whittaker is an enigma in this regard. Like Harripersaud Nokta, here is a gentleman, from the ruling Party, who knows the woes of Regions One, Seven and Eight first-hand. But who now speaks of government development efforts in these places. But cannot admit to the realities of need there.
Would the Minister’s wife choose the Pakera hospital right now? Does he know the cost of soft drinks and sanitary napkins at Baramita? I beg that Minister to influence the acquisition of additional boats and improved airstrips, until I return to this challenge soon.
Don’t make sport!
Consider this: as soon as the victorious Jamaicans returned to Kingston, their Minister of Sport reportedly announced intentions to explore the other numerous disciplines Jamaica should prepare for, in time for Rio 2016!
No comment nor comparison necessary. But I’ve been noticing the critical commentaries consequent upon Guyana’s participation in the just-concluded London Olympics. All this space could accommodate now is my belief that, even though our sordid performance can be traced to systemic failures in planning all of the blame should not be heaped upon the Minister of Sport.
I give my solemn promise to develop this point as I join the debate about Guyana’s woeful stagnation in sport. For now just think about the Sports Associations’ attitudes to fund-raising and choose six “non-conventional” sporting disciplines we should turn national attention to. Until…
Consider…
*1) In the Red corner – Brumell, Best, Erskine, Primo. In the Green Corner – Granger, Harmon, Felix, etc, etc.
What am I getting at? Intelligence-Sharing?
*2) So Queen’s College, Bishops’ and other leading schools take the credit for the CAPE/CSEC Successes? One parent asked me to ask: What about the costly extra lessons that those students took daily? Out of school!
`Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
