Desmond AllenI don't know if it is kinship with the missing American travel journalist, Claudia Kirschhoch, but the Jamaican media have been displaying a level of patriotism I have not seen since the death of former Prime Minister Michael Manley in 1997. Not only has the coverage of this missing writer been extensive, but much of the negative claims floating around about her have not found itself into the media.
I believe the media understand the gravity of the situation and are putting country before competition. In fact, I was able to share the obvious pain being felt by Leo Lambert, the former KLAS-FM news editor who is now group manager of public relations for Sandals Hotels, as he was forced to disclose unsavoury claims against the missing American, at last week's press conference.
The Jamaican media get serious bashing, much of it deserved, for over-peddling negativism and showing little concern for its effect on the island. So this display of nationalism should indicate to the critics that we are not all bad.
In fact, there are not a few journalists who moan over the consistent pall of gloom constructed by some of the colleagues, mainly among the talk-show hosts who put ratings above responsibility.
The human genome
Yes, there are ethical issues to be thought through, and yes, there are fears to be overcome, but the mapping of the human genome is what is going to light up the world in the next millennium.
Jamaica should not take its place among the doubting Thomases, but should throw itself in and start positioning for a share of the technology. And I believe that the Jamaican media are perfectly suited to lead the way.
The Gleaner, as it is won't to do, led with the story as announced by US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, showing that its editors truly understand the awesome significance of the development. The Observer missed the point altogether, relegating the story to page 13 in its foreign section, even though it promo'ed the story on page one.
As Information Minister, Maxine Henry-Wilson told a function Wednesday for retiring Jamaica Information Service workers, the mapping of the human genome is another dramatic indication that the world is not waiting on Jamaica while we are busy tearing ourselves down. I couldn't agree more. Colleagues, let's claim this one.
Spike readers' comments
Dear Desmond, I just had to drop you a quick note regarding the issue of people writing for a newsletter, for example, being classified as journalist (Spike June 25/26). The first thing that came to mind was: It serves us right! We have continually allowed people to enter the profession without the proper qualifications and then let them loose without training them. Because we fail to set a certain standard, the public has come to believe that we have none. Last week, a young man who called the newsroom, was shocked that he needed to have certain qualifications (beyond being told that he's not a bad writer) to be a reporter.
Grace Cameron,journalist
gcameron@gleanerjm.com.
Dear Spike, I am surprised that you only saw an apology in Mark Wignall's second article and not the arrogance with which he added insult to injury (Spike June 25/26). His inflated ego got the better of his attempt at an apology and out came the tale of his sex-filled week and the intimate details of his menage a trois and you are asking us to accept that farce of an apology? Come now, Desmond, what's wrong with "I'm sorry"?
- Joan James
mommslove@hotmail.com.
Hi Spike, did you see a recent article in the newspaper (Gleaner, I think) where the headline said 'Walsh in the top five'?. On reading, it mentioned that Ambrose was number 4 and Walsh number 5. Why wasn't Ambrose mentioned (in the headline)? I am a serious fan of Walsh, though not a cricket fan.
- Dawn Williams
dawill_2@hotmail.com.
Seen and Heard
RJR 6 p.m. news, June 26: "The businessman reportedly pulled his firearm and fled, hitting the gunman..." I have a feeling that the sequence went like this: The businessman pulled his firearm, opened fire, hitting the gunman, then fled. I don't think he pulled his firearm, fled, then hit the gunman!
Sunday Herald front page promo, June 25-July 1: "NO NDM/JLP MEGER IN SIGHT..." Of course, they meant 'merger'. Editorials are sacrosanct. No errors allowed, please. See The Gleaner June 24 "Violence in schools", page A4: "The concerns expressed by principals of high and comprehensive high schools about escalating violence...is frightening." Make that 'are frightening'. Observer headline "C'bean Postal Union to be based in St. Lucia", June 19, page 10.
That abbreviation of Caribbean is the third form I have seen used by that newspaper, after Carib and C'bbean! Be consistent, nuh guys.
Sunday Gleaner headline "Thousands go missing", June 25, page one. When I saw 'thousands' in a lead headline, I really expected some serious thousands, not merely 2,000! The proof-reader took the night off from The Observer, June 29, page two. In one line of caption we got: "Relatives of elian Gonzalez wae to him from the tarmac..." Make that 'Elian' and 'wave'. In the headline below that story, we are offered: "Cuba opts not to have street celebations on Elian's return". 'Celebrations', perhaps?
Send your spikeables to
spike@jol.com.jm;
desal@cwjamaica.com
or fax to 926-0295.
Desmond Allen is in his 27th year of journalism.
