I want to congratulate Senator Phillip Alexander and Senator Anil Roberts for their effective use of social media to defend the government of Kamla Persad Bissessar. I sincerely wish that there were others with similar conviction and skills to fight for truth and justice.
The 1% has been doing a good job protecting their welfare through the established media houses. More so, they have been able to buy the loyalty of several, if not most journalists, who put their daily bread and roti before the constitution and the nation. It was not surprising that the newly elected Prime Minister has charged the journalists for being bias, accusing them of having one standard for the PNM and another of the UNC.
I listened to the Prime Minister using the words ‘deadly force’ in her speech, in a diplomatic tone. Nevertheless, the PNM, led by former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, has accused the Prime Minister of stirring trouble with Venezuela. Dr. Rowley must be reminded that the Muduro regime in Caracas is illegal, having failed to hold free and fair elections. Also, its human rights abuses have resulted in more than 8 million Venezuelans fleeing the country. What is there for T&T to talk with Muduro?
The UNC remains fortunate to have these two stalwarts- Roberts and Alexander- using social media effectively to neutralize the PNM’s poisonous propaganda. I must also add to the list individuals like Lennox Smith and Mighty K among others. Nevertheless, there is the need for more supporters of the UNC to step forward to defend the policies of the government.
The way forward for the UNC is to sponsor workshops to train young party members to push the party agenda unapologetically. If this opportunity is provided, scores of youths are going to step forward to meet the challenge.
Currently, a few who portray themselves as party loyalists and faithful are busy spreading their faces across social media. It appears they are doing so to get the attention of the leader instead of doing something substantial to defend the party policies. Such individuals have no purpose and should be cut loose.
In the past the UNC did not return to power after running successful governments because of its failure to tell its side of the story. The Sun Zu has advised that wars are won by propaganda. One of the hallmarks of great powers is its ability to tell its story successfully. The USA continues to be a dominant power not only because of its military and economic strengths but also because of its media power.
The growing influence of India is also buttressed by its media power. Today, Palki Sharma of First Post, an Indian media house, is arguably one of the finest journalists today. Her ability to tell India’s side of the story is beyond comparison. Diplomacy also must not be discounted. Again, India’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Subramanian Jaishankar, has played a significant role in shaping India’s foreign policies on the global stage.
The UNC must step up to this challenge. The party needs to recruit and train young people to protect the government from the virulent attacks and propaganda from the one percent media houses and ‘eat ah food’ opportunists parading as journalists.