Sunday 16 October 2011

State Media, Democracy and Sir Phillip

The interview below with Dr. Mark Forskitt, a Candidate in Jersey's current Senatorial Election, is pretty much self explanatory.

All Candidates agreed before the Hustings began that All media were permitted to film them (the Hustings). After a Greek television station put in a request to film this Monday's St Helier Hustings, Sir Philip Bailhache, Former Bailiff and current Candidate in the election OBJECTED and the TV Company "Mega TV" were informed of this objection and thus a one man veto appears to have been carried.

Here we ask Dr. Forskitt how this can happen, how will it look to the outside world if "accredited" media are prevented from filming a supposed open and Democratic Election Hustings, what is Sir Philip so worried about? And more.

We have e-mailed Sir Phillip asking, in the interest of fairness and balance, for an interview, or a statement regarding his objection to the TV Company filming the Hustings and we have not had a reply.

53 comments:

  1. A very good interview by both you and Dr Forskitt. Despite the measured almost understated tone, the doctor doesn't roll over when he disagrees with the establishment. We need that sort of calm resolve in the States.

    I very much look forward to Sir Bailhache's response, either here or at the St Helier hustings.

    Do you know who are the other 4 or 5 dissenting candidates?

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  2. what is to stop the Greek tv company from attending the meeting as long as they do not film the media shy candidates.

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  3. "Do you know who are the other 4 or 5 dissenting candidates?"

    No, sorry and in answer to "what is to stop the Greek tv company from attending the meeting as long as they do not film the media shy candidates."

    In a word NOTHING and if any of them are "Media shy" then they're in for a rough ride!

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  4. voiceforchildren said...
    "Do you know who are the other 4 or 5 dissenting candidates?"

    No, sorry and in answer to "what is to stop the Greek tv company from attending the meeting as long as they do not film the media shy candidates."

    In a word NOTHING and if any of them are "Media shy" then they're in for a rough ride!

    -----------------------------------
    posted on my wall.
    I proposed at the initial candidates meeting to have no reporting restrictions at hustings, Mark Forskitt seconded my proposal and it was then passed unanimously and without the need for any debate.
    Nowit has blown up when Greek TV asked permission to attend St Helier hustings.
    http://voiceforchildren.blogspot.com/2011/10/state-media-democracy-and-sir-phillip.html
    Everyone knows my stance on freedom of information anyone who does not can read what I have to say on it here http://www.articlesfreespeech.com/jersey%E2%80%99s-lack-freedom-information

    Let's just say out of her own mouth one woman has said that she was a Conservative Councillor in London, this is the woman who agrees to Sir Philips request not to have the Greek TV there, until of course she possibly does a u turn?

    Plus of course also out of her own mouth at one of the hustings she said she did not like men and quickly said quote' oh I did not quite mean that I mean men are different to woman? @ End quote.
    I do not know what she thinks us other women Sylvia and I are, men or aliens maybe?

    Both Sylvia and I are standing on our manifesto's on what we stand for and do not think sex comes into it,in fact we find her comments somewhat offensive to both sexes.
    Sylvia if you are wondering backs me on the freedom of information stance.

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  5. The sad thing is that Bailhache will get in on Wednesday, because the majority of people over the age of 40 simply don't have a clue what's going on.

    The scandles of the past involving this man (who seem unaccoutable to anybody) simple don't register.

    Probaly thanks to state run media.

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  6. We should all turn up with video cameras

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  7. Anonymous said...
    We should all turn up with video cameras
    ----------------------------------
    I have no problem with that!

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  8. Forget left vs right. This election is libertarians vs authoritarians. Who are the cowherds who dare not stick their neck out one way or the other?

    It is time to make your choice - freedom or slavery.

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  9. My Response (Darius Pearce)

    I do not see that there can be any legal reason to preclude the recording of the hustings, although any candidate should be free not to have their comments broadcast as they desire.

    It is not for any single candidate to dictate to other candidates whether they should be allowed to be recorded or not.

    Should any candidate make any supposedly defamatory statement then the option is open for the subject of the supposedly defamatory statements to seek a court order to prevent the broadcast of those statements and seek recompense as I believe defamation is a cause of action.

    The person who makes those statements would have the option of proving them to be true, in which case they would not be defamatory.

    I am afraid it is as yet unproven whether any candidate has made any defamatory statements - it could just be the case that statements have been made which are true but which other candidates would rather were not common knowledge.

    I have tried not to make any statement about anyone personally but others may conduct their campaigns as they see fit and it is not for me to judge them but the electorate.

    To be quite honest I have wondered long and hard why a certain candidate would wish to tarnish his place in history by coming down from his ivory tower and mixing with us mere mortals. But once you leave the ivory tower, the normal rules apply. The normal rules include dishing the dirt on your opposition - which I would suggest is why judges and priests almost always remain above such things.

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  10. Rose Colley was actually a Liberal Democrat Councillor Linda

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  11. "The sad thing is that Bailhache will get in on Wednesday, because the majority of people over the age of 40 simply don't have a clue what's going on."

    If Bailhache is unable as a political candidate to handle a little public scrutiny by a TV crew at a public hustings he's probably going to be in for a very rude awakening as a politician.

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  12. “The Hustings are technically organised by the candidates” – during the Senatorial Hustings in 2010 at St Peter the meeting degenerated into a Church Service. The Constable, John Refault, called on the Rector of St Peter to lead prayers in respect of a serious shooting incident in the UK. The event was hijacked into a religious event. Elections are secular events. We must maintain the separation of state and religion.

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  13. Anon at 21.20.I totally disagree with you.If Bailhache gets in it has nothing to do with people over 40 not having a clue(and I find this offensive).I think that it will be largely because of the ageing population,maybe 65 or over(sorry for the offence)who have no access or desire to have a computer.These are the people who will vote for Bailhache and others because they are totally reliant on what the jep feeds them.

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  14. At the time of the release of the Clothier Report in 2000, Sir Philip Bailhache sought to make an intervention in the debate and organised a press conference. This was a very special type of press conference at which the media were informed they could not ask questions after he gave his prepared speech. The speech was made and when a journalist from CTV sought to ask a question he was curtly rebuked.

    This is the authoritarian. This is our Next Chief Minister. Beware.

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  15. My query is why is Philip Bailhache objecting to a Greek company filming. As a lawyer he is asking deeper questions like what do they want and why. I notice that you have comment moderation under this comment box. Is that not the same thing? Who else are we going to vote into Jersey to save the mess we are in now throught the incumbents - David Richardson, Darius Pearce, Stuart Syvret and Nick Le Cornu?

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  16. If Philip Bailhache is complaining about the “mess” into which the States has fallen, he should look first to himself having overseen its affairs for twenty years.

    Yes, there are those that would wish to fight for the interests of working people and the poor who live in this island and regard it as theirs. The Elite has no monopoly over the Jersey brand. Who are the true Patriots?

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  17. Nick.

    As we know one man's Patriot is another man's Terrorist.

    It will be interesting to learn how Mr. Bailhache is seen by the world of Journalism after objecting to them (Mega TV) from filming the Hustings.

    He has possibly done more damage to Jersey's reputation and created more interest by the outside media than Stuart Syvret, or any other could have dreamed of.

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  18. Mark is a proper democrat. Organised the youth hustings and made no political capitle of it. Sticks his head over the parapit but doesnt get personal about it. A good guy, so wont do well in the election.

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  19. The very bright 16 years old female that I interviewed at the St Saviour hustings was a Bailhache supporter - so age related prejudices should not be relied upon.
    His message that the States is a bickering mess and that he is the voice of stability and moderation will appeal to all ages and political leanings.

    The dispute over filming the final hustings will find equal numbers of pros and cons unless there is a very late and dramatic intervention by the other candidates. The silence of such bodies as Trades Unions on this just about sums up the dilemma of the disorganised "progressives" in this and every elction campaign since 1945. No doubt there will be the usual post- mortem after the results are announced and Bailhache is among the elected but we can hardly blame him for our own failings.

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  20. maybe 65 or over(sorry for the offence)who have no access or desire to have a computer.These are the people who will vote for Bailhache and others because they are totally reliant on what the jep feeds them.


    My 88 year old father has todays blog printouts & is passing around contacts also without computers they ALL find this very interesting reading & wonder why the "normal" media are not covering all of this,so it is not all lost in the "wash"

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  21. Darius said...
    Rose Colley was actually a Liberal Democrat Councillor Linda

    ------------------------------------
    I stand corrected.
    I took it that Rose was a conservative and if one looks at who proposed Rose you will find that they are as establishment as you can get, which is why I came to this conclusion, sorry Rose if you are reading this, nothing personal meant by my comments.

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  22. plesae note people !!
    hustings for Senators St Helier 17th mon are not at the town hall !!

    look

    St Helier
    Senator (recorded by BBC)
    Monday, 17 October
    Radisson Blu Hotel

    from here

    http://www.digitalhen.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-14862478

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  23. Does anybody know if Jersey's State Media have found anything newsworthy or of public interest with Mr. Bailhache objecting to outside "accredited" journalists from filming the Hustings here in Jersey?

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  24. Linda, I'm afraid that you should not confuse 'establishment' with the Conservative party.

    I am Conservative but I am one of the most vocal opponents of the establishment on the platform.

    Only Stuart and I have even murmured about the unsuitability of having a judge as a candidate.

    It is simply not a matter of left/right politics.

    The establishment is authoritarian (which may be left e.g. Stalin or right e.g. Hitler) and the opposition is libertarian (which again may be left or right).

    Simply put it is the question of whether you believe others should have the right to tell you what you can and cannot do or whether you believe that you should be free to make your own choices (and yes mistakes) so long as it harms no one else.

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  25. I very much believe that you should be free to make your own choices (and yes mistakes) so long as it harms no one else.

    I stand for Freedom of information choice and transparency.

    I believe in democracy and not in dictatorships!

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  26. VFC.

    Hope that you are taking your camcorder to tonights hustings.

    If only to compare your uncensored version, to the local BBCs censored?!

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  27. I was disappointed about Bailhache in the pre HDLG days. Unfortunatly I can't recall the specific policy but the jist goes something like this.

    PB is speaking (probably on the radio) and the topic is a change in policy about to be / or soon to be approved by the States. In his usual polite and aloof way, he discusses how he supports this policy change.(I didn't so its possible many progressives wouldn't either). He says something like.... how 'in life one finds some people who nobly and robustly fight for holding up traditions and then on the other hand, there are those who are seeking change and to disperse of tradition,... but in the end, mankind only makes progress by embracing change, so there it is.

    Typical- an authoritarian elitist adopting the image of a progressive. You can't get more arogant, conflicted, pro-tradition and false than Phil. YOu may say "someone seeking independence can not be a traditionaist". No Phil will play 'tradition' when it suits him. Ultimately he makes up the rules as he goes along and he would be very keen of all sorts of unspoken reasons, to have Jersey independent.

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  28. Has anyone thought to contact the Greek TV station to explain they don't actually need Bailhache's permission and can film whatever they want?

    If they turn up to film and Bailhache doesn't like it, Bailhache has the option of leaving.

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  29. Here are some links(hope they work)and info from outside our little Island - it's not just Jersey's accredited media that behaves in the way it does!

    **| truthaholics
    ‎| "The dominant media are no longer the mouthpiece of the moral majority and the gatekeeper of the status quo - they are now firmly on the side of the ultra wealthy and the mega corporations. How else to explain the media's contempt for reason and critical inquiry as they turn news into entertainment and the call for balance into a form of anti-intellectual drivel?

    At best, the dominant media attempt to neutralize the issue of class inequality, making it largely invisible. At worst, they serve as active accomplices in promoting class warfare through their embrace of neoliberal values and refusal to engage any serious issues that might reveal the terrible human and social costs of the class warfare now being waged by the rich."

    ~ Henry A. Giroux, Truthout board member and author of "Zombie Politics in the Age of Casino Capitalism" http://www.truth-out.org/got-class-warfare-occupy-wall-street-now/1317760461See more
    Got Class Warfare? Occupy Wall Street Now! | Truthout
    www.truth-out.org
    Protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement, the United Federation of Teachers and members of other unions at Foley Square in New York, on October 5, 2011. (Photo: Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times)**

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  30. I believe Dr Forskitt was in contact with Mega TV yesterday and they did turn up and did film at the hustings.

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  31. Yes, Mega TV was there last night, thanks to Dr. Forskitt, who gave them a special mention at the beginning of his speech.

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  32. It was good to see Mega t.v.at the husting,and filming with two cameras!

    Questions that need answering.

    Why were they not welcome?

    Who overturned the alleged attempt to have them barred?

    Does anyone know why they are showing interest in this tiny jurisdiction?

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  33. Are any of our blogsites going to collate the election promises of all the successful election candidates and keep track of their performance.

    Now i don't know how many have said that they intend to introduce work permits,but assuming that the majority have, there should be no reason why it shouldn't happen. But whats the bet that nothing will be done.

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  34. It makes little difference as to what the elected "representatives" deliver or not, what promises they break etc. Nothing changes, and it will all be said and done again at the next election, the one after that, the one after that and so on......

    People should be looking to who holds the power in Jersey and it's not the Politicians. It's the Law Offices, the State Media and Civil Servants. Until people start holding that lot to account nothing on this island will change.

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  35. "Anonymous said...

    Are any of our blogsites going to collate the election promises of all the successful election candidates and keep track of their performance."


    The quick answer, yes. There will be a new blog opening for exactly that purpose after the election.

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  36. are you telling me that a majority vote in the States chamber can somehow be overridden by law offices etc.

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  37. What I'm telling you is the Law Offices and State Media make sure the establishment have the majority vote in the house.

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  38. Channel Television has issued a stark warning to its viewers after it has been sold to ITV PLC.

    CTV has said that viewers will not notice any difference in their out-put.

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  39. Sold hey

    Is that the Rank-ines fearful of prosecution for their malfeasances over the decades?

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  40. Channel Television has issued a stark warning to its viewers after it has been sold to ITV PLC.

    CTV has said that viewers will not notice any difference in their out-put.


    HAHAHA....love it.

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  41. quite right VFC the law officers write the legislation which only
    lawyers understand, once enacted legislation tends to be expanded
    as a catch all, with the original idea being forgotten about.

    take the minimum wage, enacted to protect students and immigrant workers, now the standard for all unskilled manual jobs.

    suits you big business sir

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  42. What a joke, memo going around the Dandara site
    Clancy's recommendations .

    Bailhache , Choen, Farnham, and Gorst.
    Just a suggestion ofcourse .

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  43. I've had a comment submitted that is potentially libellous or defamatory calling somebody an "abuser."

    If the commenter wants to re-submit the comment by omitting the "abuser" bit then it should get published.

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  44. Jon Gripton, tonight on twitter:

    @griptonfactor Jon Gripton
    We have an interesting development on the Haut de la Garenne abuse story in the BBC Radio Jersey breakfast show from 7am Friday. @bbcjersey

    What, has he been reading some evidence or something?

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  45. Probably making his own up!!!

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  46. The BBC and the rest of the island's State Media have had more than enough evidence to blow this Child Abuse cover-up clean out the water a dozen times over.

    They've chosen to carry on the cover-up and question NOTHING. Don't expect any great revelations from the BBC tomorrow, like I've said they've had every opportunity to expose the truth in the past but have been quite happy to leave it to Bloggers.

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  47. Here's but one example of the State Media's COVER-UP There's possibly hundreds more.

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  48. Finnish government to ban our organization? Helsinki district court was ready to ban our organization! An official had told this threat to our chairman in a meeting in the Ministry for Internal Affairs.

    A government's threat to ban a peaceful organization (because of its opinions) violates the principles of democracy.

    Ethnic cleansing in Western Uusimaa in May 1918 and Forssa region. Some 200 Finnish civilians, men and women, were executed by the Swedish battalion in Western Uusimaa. The Swedes executed at least 460 Finns in the spring 1918.

    TV and newspapers broadcast disinformation about history and all political issues. Censorship in the mainstream media: Sweden, Finland and Norway are ruled by the political and economic elite.

    In the Scandinavian countries the political and economic elite controls the media.

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