Broadcaster pressured to remove talk-show hosts
Posted on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 16:18 in Politics
(CNS): The management at Hurleys entertainment has confirmed that it has been pressured by the government to remove Austin Harris and Gilbert McLean from its morning radio talk-show on Rooster before the firm can get a duty waiver for a planned Cable TV project. Speaking on the programme on Wednesday, Harris said that the Hurleys group had been “held hostage” because of the show. Cayman Crosstalk has been accused by the premier of running down the government, and despite once being a regular guest on the programme McKeeva Bush now refuses to go on the show and criticises it on a regular basis.
During Wednesday morning’s show when members of the opposition appeared as guests, Harris raised the issue of the pressure the owners of Rooster were under to remove the controversial hosts.
“The deal is fire Gilbert and Austin and you’ll get what you want,” Harris revealed on air on Wednesday when he said Infinity Broadband Ltd, which is a sister company of Hurleys, had been told by government that it could not get a duty waiver for the project, even though all other businesses in the same field have received waivers.
Every other firm that has successfully chosen to take advantage of the liberalisation of television provision and acquired a licence has been offered a waiver in order to encourage development of this sector. However, Hurleys management confirmed that the waiver for Infinity was being withheld.
Despite the ultimatum, Hurleys told CNS that they would not be firing either of the two popular hosts and would seek to find another way to continue with the project. A spokesperson for the entertainment groups said that the project would generate as many as fifty jobs and represented millions of dollars of investment but they were not prepared to be pressured or threatened in such a way.
Hurleys Entertainment and its owner, Randy Merren, is like CNS still facing legal action brought by the premier over comments made on the show about Bush’s leadership, which it is continuing to fight. The management noted that this latest issue over the duty waiver was just another attempt by government to silence its critics.
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The easy fix here would be to
The easy fix here would be to hire another host who would present opposing views to those of Austin and Gilbert. The show is not fair and balanced but if it was neither side could claim partisianship. As it stands right now the show is 100% against the government and really doesn't give them a fair chance other than on Friday morning to defend their position.
Wouldn't the ratings soar if they could find another strong voice that would represent the other side? Right now all we listen to is the same government bashing over and over every morning until Friday and then we hear the bashing of the opposition on Friday.
"As it stands right now the
"As it stands right now the show is 100% against the government" I say: "As it stands now the government is 100% non interested in the input of the people."
We need an outlet to be heard. If the current government does not care care to hear the other side, I applaud Crosstalk for giving us that voice.
We need to encourage, not just free speech, but two way dialogue.
The UDP Government should be
The UDP Government should be able to silence anyone who is doing harm to it and the Cayman Islands with their words and deeds! Sorry but freedom of speech has limits! We support you McKeeva!
Numbskull, how do you think
Numbskull, how do you think Elio got elected? He was on the radio everyday bashing PPM and Cayman. However, in his bashing of PPM there were no reports of investigations into PPM members as we now have with McKeeva. Furthermore, who created the problems that are on the radio talk show?, it surely wasnt the talk show or its host that created the problems. All they are doing is shining the light on incompetent UDP government, and because what the world is seeing is not a pretty sight the talk show host are being blamed for the mess. Easy solution to this is the UDP just do the right things that the country needs and then the talk shows have nothing bad to talk about.
Ten stars for trying, my
Ten stars for trying, my friend, but I think you're talking to a concrete block.
This is how a lot of business
This is how a lot of business has been done in Cayman for many years, with an unhealthy undertone of corruption. It is just that right now people are starting to talk about it.
They're good hosts, but
They're good hosts, but people complain that they cherry pick the emails they read from their supprters on the Cayman Cross talk show on Rooster 101! that's not quite fair. Every email is not libelous nor slanderous. One contributor was even a family or relative of Randy Merren and Austin and Gilbert have not read the person's emails while this person in question is fighting for the same cause as Austin and Gilbert on many fronts.. They need to explain a reason for this unanswered behavior towards the public. Austin sometimes appear to be impatient or moody, he needs to watch that as a host.
Is this bigotry or just ignorance?
Radio stations are perfectly
Radio stations are perfectly entitled to control content. Public bodies are not entitle to control that control thorugh improper means like these allegations indicate has happened.
US Law in relation to
So? Anyone got the Mongolian
Can you please guote Cayman
Can you please guote Cayman Law? I hope there is one and it is brought to bear.
here you go. Our very own
here you go. Our very own Anti Corruption Law:
11(1) A person commits an offence where -
(ii) being a public officer or a member of the legislative assembly, he demands, accepts or offers or agrees to accept from any other person for himself or another person a loan, reward advantage or other benefit as consideration for cooperation, assistance, exercise of influence or an act of ommission in connection with:
(iii) the transaction of business with or any other matter or business relating to the government; or
(iv) a claim against the government or any other benefit that the government is authorised or entitled to bestow.
So basically Mac:
1- as a public officer/member of the LA, demands a benefit from Hurley's
2 - in consideration for cooperation/assistance with
3 - a duty waiver, which is a business or matter relating to goverment or a benefit the gov is entitiled to bestow
Fits like a glove!
Thank you! Austin and Gilbert
Thank you!
Austin and Gilbert I think you need to take this complaint to the Anti Corruption Commission...
What kind of B.S, is this
What kind of B.S, is this
It's the kind that comes out
It's the kind that comes out of a cow's backside.
Some one call anderson cooper
Some one call anderson cooper and his buddied at CNN. let them know a protest is happening in light of the situation and maybe a little international media might help Mac shift in his lap of luxury seat.......
I can only guess that you
Well I don't think you have
Well I don't think you have to travel much for anyone to think bad about you and since Anderson Cooper, those @CNN and the American gov't already bash us for being a "Tax Haven", maybe, just maybe, they won't mind hopping on this bandwagon and bash our Political leader and do some more damage to our already battered reputation. Anyways, since what's going on in Cayman is not that import to CNN and Anderson, it should very much be all that to us, we should be strong, righteous and willing to stand up, support those opposing and speak out against this alleged political corruption and coercion going on. Mr. McKeeva is only the Premier (voted in by us) and not Almighty God...and he answers to laws just as any of us civilians do and is suseptible to investigations and charges just like any of us. I pray for his innocence and wish him no hurt or harm, but if he's guilty then he should pay for it, as anyone of us would have to do.
So now the (government is)
So now the (government is) involved in coercion. How many more stories like this do we need to see this party is a detriment to our islands?
Don't think for a minute that
Don't think for a minute that this has just started happening. There are many, many businesses and employees that this has happened to.
Yes, many many over more than
Well, not "now", ask around,
Mr. Bush, why do you blame
Mr. Bush, why do you blame the FCo, the Radio Talk show hosts, the other media for your wrong doings. You called yourself a servant of God, but which God are you talking about? sure as hell not the God I love, know and serve. Do the right thing for once in your life Mr. Bush and step down now, before you tarnish the image of the Cayman Islands any further. You and your followers are blaming the opposition, the media and the FCO, you are wrong to blame them. The blame should be and is being directed at you, XXXX Your party is standing by you, they will be guilty by association too. They know what you have done, they see you in action and they know that it is not becoming of a true Statesman, yet they stand by you...like Tammy Wynett! Do the right thing Mr. Bush and step down, and then go to Mr. Baines and lay it all out, like Arden and clear your name...if you are innocent, as you claim. Just Do It!!!!!
Sad times here in Cayman,
Sad times here in Cayman, very sad.
Our Premier has lost his
Our Premier has lost his mind. Any perceived threat to his power makes him lash out in uncontrollable rages. It is time for the powers to be to come forward and sack him. Mac is dangerous to our well being.
They cannot sack him under
They cannot sack him under this wonderful constitution that we now have!! That is the problem. Alden can say little as it was he, Kurt and other PPM "brains" who crafted it giving the ruling party ultimate power in this matter! I didn't vote for the constitutional change because of loopholes like this that I detected. If you take the time to read it you will see that there are more; it is akin to swiss cheese! Those with the skills had better study this document and see how many other opportunities are there for this country to be held hostage against its will. This is a fine example of what happens when power is relinquished to politicians. I am disgusted with what is happening to the international image of these beloved islands today and as a Caymanian I can say that I would have been much happier keeping the Governor in charge than to to have given control to these people. It is a crying shame!
XXXXX The UDP had as much
XXXXX The UDP had as much input to the Constitution as the PPM did.
The love of money(=power) is
The love of money(=power) is the root of all evil!!! Heavenly Father we ask for divine intervention on behalf of our Island. Please give us Peaceful & Godily Leaders.
All in! This is getting
All in! This is getting nasty.
Who does he think he is?!!
Who does he think he is?!! News flash to McKeeva: YOU ARE NOT GOD. A true leader does not need to use intimidation.
Wisely Said.
Wisely Said.
The problem is the Police
The problem is the Police Commissioner and also his capacity as head of the corruption committee. Years for prosecutions and something like this he should take up immediately. Intimidation is now the rule of the day, by every office, even those we think should protect us.
I think you mean "head of the
I think you mean "head of the Anti-Corruption Commission".
Yes but WHO does the
Yes but WHO does the Commissioner answer to? Why isn't he being better managed on these matters then. As far as I know he used to answer to Donnie Ebanks and so I would assume he now answers to Franz Manderson so maybe Franz can tell us what is going on.
All bullies, power thirsty &
All bullies, power thirsty & money lovers!!!
McKeeva, it's over. Go home
McKeeva, it's over. Go home and lie down.
any comment mr
any comment mr governor????
time for marches and demonstrations!.....
Not the Governor, call on
Not the Governor, call on Alden and the "opposition". See if they do anything! You all forget that these were the same players when Caymanian Status was given away like candy by the same UDP and what did the PPM do? NOTHING!!! This is the same, "trus mi".
"for clarity" if I was a
"for clarity" if I was a certain George Town MLA, I would see to it that Randy got his waiver "insofar as" I may be looking for my old job back in about a year. Just saying
Good suggestion. He should
Not only is this a
Not only is this a disappointing move by our current government - but it is also potentially dangerous for them as a political party.
What if it is discovered that someone within their group has personal or even business connections to individuals involved with one of the other competing entities in this particular sector?
Honestly - it is as if some people don't think before they act.
I truly hope there is something more to this story than has been reported. I usually wait to hear both sides before forming an opinion.
Isn't today Government Friday on the show?
This oughta be good ...
The Premier calls those who
The Premier calls those who oppose him devil worshippers. What he is trying to do to Austin & Gilbert is devil's work indeed.
Anybody remember the old joke
Or, Glasgow Rangers.
Or, Glasgow Rangers.
I believe that many years ago
I believe that many years ago the company got a duty waiver for 2 years when it was granted its licence. How can it be the fault of any Government that the company is still not in business and has nothing to apply the waiver against?
The point is, "Intimidation
The point is, "Intimidation tactics should not be used by any government against an entity or individual". That sure appears to be what is happening here. If Randy Merren was previously granted 100 waivers it is not relevant to the one he has now applied for. Stop trying to make excuses for these distasteful actions.
Freedom of Speech? Over a
Freedom of Speech?
Over a year a go I started a blog to vent some of my opinions, of which I have a lot. My second post was concerning freedon of speech in the Cayman Islands and this situation, as reported, makes me want to share it. It is sad that a year later I still feel the same way. So here it is.
"Freedom Of Speech?
Plus you may put others who wish to post on your blog in jeopardy as well. The Evil Doers could identify the posters as your associates.”
If those who do speak out against the “doings” of our current leader perceive he will respond by belittling them, laughing at them, accusing them of “foolishness”, or insinuating they are being part of a sinister conspiracy to hinder his plans, instead of debating, openly and honestly, the differences of opinion on the issues at hand, they may feel that they are not truly free to speak out.
That raises the question. “Am I being foolish in starting this blog?” Hell… I don’t know, Maybe I am. I guess time will tell. I hope not. (I really hope not). But freedom of speech has to start by speaking. So here I am. If I should disappear from the face of the earth with no explication then I guess I choose wrong. But I think I will do just fine. If anyone thinks I am a threat maybe they are just perceiving that I am.
Really I am just a harmless grumpy old man."
Agreed Len, so many people
Agreed Len, so many people are afraid to publicly state their opinion because they may be discriminated against. It is very apparent when you ask people to sign petitions. They are so afraid of having their name on a list that they often will not sign. It is the same with demonstrations where people tell you they would come but are afraid for their livelihood. A case in point is the heavy equipement operators who backed out of the demonstration against the government.
This man and those who allow him to continue as premier have to go. All of them.
Please keep posting Len! :)
Please keep posting Len! :)
Pot call kettle black? Mac
Pot call kettle black?
Mac does not like what Rooster says so he shuts them out......
Rooster does not like what a caller says so they shut him out............
Both parties need to wake up to the real world.........
Freedom of speech is here to stay.
Get over it and get on with it in an honest way!
If you come into the public domain you are going to take some licks.........
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