Newspaper to supply gov’t TV with content
(CNS): The Cayman Compass has entered into a deal with the Unity Government to publish its local news content on the Cayman Islands Government TV station. Officials from both the newspaper and government said no money is changing hands but the local publisher will allow government to broadcast the video programmes it makes free of charge. The news follows recent comments by the premier that he was looking to fill the void in the wake of Cayman 27 News’ demise.
“I’m very happy that an agreement has been reached with the Cayman Compass,” Premier Alden McLaughlin said in a release from his office. “The agreement enables CIGTV and Compass Media to create and promote a sense of community, providing access for more people to community news through print, broadcast and digital platforms.”
CNS reached out to the Cayman Compass to ask where this left the long standing local news outlet’s editorial independence. Publisher Kathleen Capetta said the partnership simply allowed government to utilise the content they already produce.
“There is no financial component,” she said. “It is simply an attempt to help fill the void for local television news in the wake of Cayman 27’s closing. This partnership has no impact on our independent coverage of the government,” she stated.
In a press release from the premier’s office, Capetta said the paper was “thrilled” to be working collaboratively with the government “to bring important independent community news to a wider audience”.
She added, “This partnership comes as we relaunch the Compass and its multi-media platforms at the heart of the community.” The publisher has previously announced that it will launch a ‘new look’ publication on Monday.
Donna Bush, the news director at CIGTV, said partnerships with others helped the government channel to supply the best content available to viewers.
“We have recently added national weather updates to our CIGTV news segments by partnering with the National Weather Service. This collaboration with the Compass is another exciting venture enabling us to bring even more community based content to our viewers,” she added.
In the release, the premier’s office said encouraging content sharing like this went some way towards filling the gap left by the recent closure of the local television station.
Government said it is not subsidising the content in any way and the arrangement is not exclusive, and “CIGTV continues to welcome video content from the local media and community partners”.
See related CNS Viewpoint here: The state of local media
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Business, Local News, Media
If you could please direct this comment in the form of a number of questions to the Honourable Premier and His Excellency the Governor at the next update.
I commend your swift and needed action to take the care of all the people of our islands.
There are many people living and working on these islands, both Caymanians and expats alike, that are not able to work from home or do not use a computer for their line of work, and therefore are facing a much greater financial hardship than the fortune ones can still have some income.
We are now going into another curfew, that is absolutely necessary and there is a very good chance this will not be the last.
There are many things that I would love to get off of my wife’s “ Honey Do “ list at our home but I am not able to do these things because the “ Essential “ stores do not sell paint or brushes, they do not sell plants, topsoil or fertilizer for planting season, they do not not sell chlorine and pool supplies for proper cleanliness and maintenance of a valuable asset to many families homes, I could go on but I think I have made the point.
I have spoken to a very nice lady @DEH and she informed me that the 24 hour drop off at the is open on limited hours.I now have a rather large pile of yard waste from my home beside the house which is now home to some rats,Clearly a very unsanitary situation which we have never had before. I have access to a trailer and would love to take it away, but when I asked a RCIP officer at one of the roadblocks if taking this away would be deemed unnecessary travel and would I be fined? He said yes I would be.The pile is still there, getting bigger by the day.
I am suggesting that possibly the hardware stores,the pool supply stores, the nurseries (retail not maintenance) be allowed to open on a limited basis as to allow the many people that have the skills and motivation to use this forced time of not being able to provide an income for their families, to add what will be much needed value to their homes going into a very uncertain future. I am sure that the businesses mentioned above would use to same safeguards that are in use now at the Essential businesses, that seem to be working better everyday, to ensure public safety.
So CNS is finally admitting that Legge was right then.
CNS: At no time did we comment on the content of that or any other editorial. We took Legge and premier to task for the silly spat that followed and its implications for the reputation of the Cayman Islands.
So CNS why don’t you or why won’t you find ways to use the CIG channel under the same arrangement or you too left wing to beg just kidding, but really why is this a good idea let’s hear you.
CNS: It’s fairly amazing how utterly you have missed the point. This is not a question of left wing or right wing politics. The point is the news media cannot maintain its independence and at the same time collaborate with the government. If we believe it is a mistake for the Compass to do this, why would we want to do the same thing? I don’t know how else to explain it.
Who needs the Compost when there are hundreds of international news channels available to anyone with internet, a smart device and a bit of savvy.
Easy to see what’s been going on here, all media outlets have been manipulated to force public opinion, even CNS has it’s biases sometimes.
I’d rather seek out positive news than be spoon fed agenda based rhetoric from any media mill.
A substantial proportion of the population has always thought of the Compass as being an official Government publication anyway. Obviously many commentators to this blog can’t or don’t want to read: The Compass has been producing its own short news videos for a while; you can’t see them by buying the printed version of the paper, but check online.
As for CNS, when the ladies start writing completely unbiased articles about the port and homosexuals then we may be able to consider it a proper independent news source.
who really owns the compass?
James Bergstrom
Please stay up to date before commenting. James and family sold Compass media to Dart media and entertainment last year. Which includes the Cayman compass newspaper as part of the compass media portfolio. Compass media also acquired Hurley’s media before its sale to the dart organization.
I had a feeling this was coming up from seeing articles in the Compass written by Kevin Morales. I look forward to seeing his, Donna’s, Tammi’s and Barrie’s shows. I like to watch a spot of TV in the evenings now there is something other than Boris Johnson and the Great Orange Nightmare on offer.
Compass editorials are a history since the ownership changed hangs. Comments are heavily monitored , so there’s none.
At least Mr.Legge had guts to call a spade a spade.
In case you missed it:
The Global Implications Of Corruption In The Caymans https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2015/06/24/the-global-implications-of-corruption-in-the-caymans/#7a9df47e5f80
Yes, Legge called a spade a spade (albeit with a hard right wing slant) but look where it got him – Alden’s edict for a government boycott that turned a good portion of the Caymanian public away from him until he had to “sell.” The Compass is now faced with trying to stay alive anyway it can. I don’t agree with their approach and it is truly sad to see the newspaper now sucking up to CIG, but its demise was brought about by Alden more than anyone else.
Legge said YOU were corrupt. Was he right?
I am an expat.
Why don’t you winging complainers just catch a flight out of here since it is so terrible. This is are duly elected government so either leave or shut the hell up. They are doing the best they can and we have lots of good accomplishments that our honorable premier and the unity team have accomplished with lots more to come. Praise to our wonderful leaders and supporters.
Name just ONE accomplishment.
5:06, A lot of people are packing it in here. This place and the quality of life is deteriorating by the day. Sorry to say that you are delusional though suspect you are feeding at the trough so you are OK Bobo.
Did you enjoy the trip to Monaco?
Chris? David? is that you?
“Praise to our wonderful leaders”
The kind of language one would expect in North Korea or China
Nothing to see here folks
Just the clueless idiots that sadly make up good portions of the electorate
1:23 Probably a civil servant?
Nobody in Cayman elected a Unity Team gov’t. Each of PPM and CDP parties LOST seats at ballot box and neither could return to power without the alliance. Cayman should have objected harder when Helen approved it – to the exclusion of those who won the popular vote.
So the Cayman Compass is now the Governments conduit to its voters. It won’t be much good for anyone else.
The fourth estate is now reduced to one member: CNS; (not as if the Compass has been doing much of their responsibility as independent news in the past couple of years)
and long may you continue providing reliable and independent coverage
I shudder to think of a day where we lose your much needed perspectives ladies
Always a breath of fresh air
any comment mr roper???
Seriously?
Just a propaganda outlet. Neither parties have any credibility so they’ll get along just fine.
I hope Donna reads the news again xxx
You cant make this shit up!!!
yes you can…. in the cayman islands wonderland.
uk needs to step in asap.
Relationship between the CIG and the Compass has always made me uneasy
This is the final nail in that coffin
The CIG isn’t interested in fair media coverage and scrutiny they want fawning praise and unquestioning submission
Not interested in reading or watching that
So thanks but no thanks Compass
the compass…the island’s only paper that won’t do editorials…are now officially in bed with cig.
banana republic time!
What do you mean? Haven’t they always done editorials?
Not since new ownership took place
7:30 Interesting comment about this on another local online news website –
Bluntly, a daily newspaper (particularly when it’s the only one in the country) without editorials is a bit like a bull without testicles. It looks impressive but when it comes down to any real action hasn’t got the right equipment to deliver the goods.