Guardian Radio Fires Back As OPM Doubles Down On URCA Complaint

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Days after filing an official complaint with the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority, Communications Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming, is refuting claims that his decision was fueled by politics.

Rahming wrote to URCA CEO Carlton Smith asking for a review into whether Guardian Radio breached URCA’s code of practice, highlighting that Earl Thompson, who also serves as Public Relations for the Free National Movement, appeared as a substitute host on Off The Record with host Zhivargo Laing.

Here’s what Rahming says prompted his decision:

“When I made the decision to file a complaint with URCA, it was on the basis that I don’t believe that someone who has the sole responsibility of managing the Free National Movement’s Communication should be a host on a radio show,” he said.

Dwight Strachan – Station Manager, Guardian Radio

“Mr. Rahming knows my personal mobile phone number, in fact, just this week, he directly contacted me with a request.”

“He frequently calls into our live programs, unsolicited…to make the case for the government’s decisions or to clarify positions,” he said.

Strachan fired back while speaking on his Guardian Radio show Morning Blend Friday morning.

He referenced URCA’s Consumer Protection Regulation for the Electronic Communications Sector, which says all complaints by consumers against service providers must be lodged and dealt with by the relevant service provider by part 6.4.

The regulation states the consumer can escalate a complaint to URCA if a service provider has not resolved a complaint within 20 business days.

Both Rahming and Strachan said that didn’t happen.

“Listeners of Mr. Thompson for even a few minutes can tell he has maintained a fair and balanced approach as a guest host. We are left to wonder if this is just another attempt to stifle freedom of speech and dissenting opinions, and to continue the disturbing pattern of gutting and silencing the media in The Bahamas,” Strachan said.

After Rahming’s letter was made public, many questioned the motive and suggested Rahming look at other stations instead.

He left this bit of advice for the public:

“I encourage the public, if they feel that any broadcasting station, whether it be ZNS, Eyewitness, The Guardian or The Tribune, if they think that those stations are in breach of URCA’s policy, they should file a complaint,” he said.

Meantime, critics have pointed out that when the Davis administration took office in 2021, they hired several journalists who are now employed at government agencies, including Clint Watson, who served as press secretary and is now the General Manager at the Broadcasting Corporation.