Is the Government Gutting the Media?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The government isn’t gutting the media, according to Press Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister Clint Watson, who insists industry professionals are taking advantage of better opportunities to further their careers.

Watson has also attracted scrutiny after he took up a political appointment following the Progressive Liberal Party’s election to office.

Jared Higgs takes a closer look.

A Nassau Guardian editorial published this week by Candia Dames pointed out that questions have arisen since Watson, who was a regular critic of the Minnis administration, left media to take the job as Press Secretary at OPM. For his part, Watson says he was offended by the suggestion that the government is trying to gut the media.

Watson leads a list of prominent journalists and talk show hosts who have gone on to roles in government. Wendell Jones, publisher and popular radio host, was appointed Bahamas Ambassador to the United States.

Kyle Walkine, a former News Anchor at Our News is heading up the Communications Office in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nahaja Black, the former host of The Hit Back on Guardian Radio, is taking up a diplomatic post in Canada.

Former Our News reporters Jillian Gray and Giorgio Bain also taking up government jobs in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Agriculture respectively. There are other reporters who have left the field, and there are reports that more resignations may be coming.

Referring to his own decision to leave media, Watson says he wanted a chance to play a more active role in solving people’s problems.