PEI Premier Robert Ghiz extends his control to media

Guest opinion How will Islanders now learn the truth of what their elected officials are doing with the press being controlled by the ruling dictatorship?

The Ghiz regime appears to be regime that lacks accountability and transparency as demonstrated by the lack of truth and fair play connected with the PNP fiasco as one example.

But this is the way P.E.I. is run and all my fellow Islanders sit back and allow this behavior to happen. Sad day for democracy when the government controls the media.

How will Islanders now learn the truth of what their elected officials are doing with the press being controlled by the ruling dictatorship?

I was there last night at the Press Gallery meeting. 13 members out of a possible membership of 60 members of the press corp participated. Two members voted to support Pate based on the trumped up charges put forward by the Guardian led posse.

It was a true demonstration of a kangaroo court in action. It was obvious to see the outcome from the self appointed czar, judging by Thibodeau opening remarks and the rhetoric forthcoming.

It became more apparent that this event was staged when Mr. Thibodeau announced Tim Banks was allowed to address this meeting while no one else in the public seats were extended the same courtesy. Mr. Banks stammered a few comments before sitting down while Pate was still in the room.

After the verdict was announced Mr. Pate excused himself from the room.

Mr Banks again asked for the floor and was again granted another opportunity to speak and made his case for bloggers to be allowed to participate in the press gallery.

He also commented on his agreement of the press corp to remove Mr.Pate and the direction in which the press corp was heading.

Mr. Banks has made false accusations regarding me in his own blog on a couple of occasions which resulted in me doing a You Tube video ( Rin Tin Tin the movie star) to demonstrate to Islanders the type of persons associated with the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island.

Now, Mr. Banks desires to be accredited as a blogger to cover the legislative assembly. This would seriously have to be considered a conflict of interest situation due to the fact Mr. Banks was a past president of the P.E.I. Liberal Party.

The Conservative Party here would want to have one of their own in the Press Galley as well to put their own spin on the topics of the day, resulting in more confusion for our voters to decipher.

Where do Islanders turn now for the truth with the lack of ethical journalism that is rampant here on our beloved Island; save for few journalists at CBC and the Eastern Graphic?

Maybe the answer to this question rests with the establishment of another source of media via the Internet to disseminate the truth for conscious Islanders who truly want and can handle the truth.

I have come to the conclusion, based on my experience in the way this One Party system operates, for the benefit of the 13 Families and their associates,that most Islanders cannot handle the truth or they would not allow the pork barrel politics to continue.

Let me be clear here, this model is not sustainable, the Island economy is going to experience a severe hit resulting in a major shrinkage in the level of services Islanders have become accustomed to in the next 24 months.

This hit I am alluding to would occur sooner, but due to the timing of the next election the Ghiz regime will attempt to cover it up until after the next election.

Time will tell if my predictions are accurate, but this comment will surely receive a response both negatively or positively depending on what side your bread is buttered.

It reminds me of the time in the late seventies when Jamaica was under the threat of communism and my wife’s cousin went door to door in Jamaica collecting money to buy the National newspaper there and keep it out of the control of the parties who were attempting to take control of that beautiful Island.

There are some eerie similarities here relating to what I experienced last night at the George Coles Building and all Islanders need to do a gut check in an attempt to determine how they feel about the manner in which our province is being managed.

My intentions is not to condemn or judge my fellow Islanders here with my views of what has occurred last night with the Press Corp; but for Islanders to come to some sort of self analysis on how they feel about the way their life will be impacted by this decision and many other decisions being made by the Ghiz posse.

With best regards,

Wayne MacKinnon