Dear Editor,
Since I cannot express my views on the state-owned entity without being penalised, please permit me a small space in your privately-owned entity to bring a matter to light.
Two weeks ago, I joined the broadcast of ABS’ coverage of the post-cabinet briefing. During the course of the broadcast, I made two comments in the chat section that I wanted the Minister of Information to respond to.
Here are the questions: 1) On the cusp of 70-years-old, will Erna-Mae Braithwaite be replaced as General Manager of ABS?
2) Mr. Minister why are you never “Privy” to information coming out of Cabinet?
I found the comments/questions to be respectful and relevant and did not violate any of ABS’ Community Guidelines.
Strangely, but not surprisingly, after the live broadcast, I went back to see if anyone had responded, it was then that I noticed that I was blocked from commenting on ABS.
I know some of your readers may find this trivial, but this is scary for several reasons and should not be taken lightly.
Is ABS immune to criticism by the tax payers who fund it? No they are not because ABS does not belong to Erna-Mae or Melford Nicholas.
ABS’ decision to block me from airing my views in the form of a question is a blow to democracy in Antigua & Barbuda and a breach of my constitutional rights.
Again, I am not surprised because I am told that is how ABS is managed, to shutdown all dissenting views within the organisation.
I am told management personally goes through every comment on every post and blocks individuals that they don’t agree with. The blocking as in my case, was not based on any breach but rather on pure malice.
Private entities here in Antigua who are not funded by the government allow readers to criticise them so why must our own ABS muzzle us?
Every Rope Has An End
P.S
This letter was sent to Editor of Antigua News Room and was not copied to anyone else.
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This reminds me of when they had to take narcissist Trump to court to tell him that he cannot block people. Petty dunceness.
But that is just how staff are treated too.
Today it’s the staff, tomorrow nationals viewing who can’t ask questions or comment.
What and who next?
Her old rude self MUST go. They love to talk about empowering younger persons but look how even Sharon Tazwell couldnt manage to stay there.
Alas, the oldies and those square pegs in round holes, are allowed to cling on seemingly forever.
God is NOT sleeping in this 2020 though. One may delay but not escape one’s karma.
@Truth be told:This is a matter that involves ABS TV, Erna-Mae Braithwaite and Melford Nicholas.The blocking of a person from a Government owned entity Social Media page.Donald Trump did not try to block anyone from any Government owned Social Media accounts.He was trying to block certain persons from his owned Social Media account.So do not try and distort one with the other.I am supporter of the truths only.Speaking the truth is like writing fair.It only comes with practice.
You are right. It is far more egregious than what Donald Trump did.
But they are similar in that nationals and residents are being blocked from a page that provides governmental info to the public.
Given that abs is a state owned entity they cannot block you unless you have violated certain guidelines. You should first write a letter to the minister and abs about your situation and you may subsecuently pursue legal action.
There has to be another picture of the lady available.
Not sure why that pic was chosen. Poor taste.
She may be pas retirment age if 65 but she is doing a goid job. If you want ti replace her apply and swalliw your envy. Poir back people we are cursed by envy and greed
Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Good to see someone take up the question! In an era where we no longer tolerate racism, sexism or prejudice in any way, why is it still acceptable to be ageist! Clearly the Good Lady does not see how sad is the pathology of her question in this the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015 – 2024!
“Ageism is the stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age; ageism can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. Overlooked for employment, restricted from social services and stereotyped in the media, ageism marginalises and excludes older people in their communities.” World Health Organization!
Why is Ageism so pervasive and systematic in Antigua and Barbuda! Could this be a result of enslavement economy and culture, where only the young and sturdy were valued in the back-breaking work on the plantation! “In other words, what natural responses would occur in the relationships, attitudes toward the environment, kinship patterns, preferences for colors, type of religion, and historical referent points for African people if there had not been any intervention of colonialism or enslavement?” – Dr. Molefi Asante, Afrocentricity, The Theory Of Social Change!
Elizabeth II is 94 years old! US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately called the “Notorious RBG” by Admiring Young People, for her diligence, intelligence, hard work ethic, integrity, civil rights and feminist jurisprudence, served with distinction on the Bench until she died at 87 years old! Nelson Mandela left Office at 81 years old! VC Bird left office at what age! Do You think the Good Lady Knows! The ugly truth about ageism: it’s a prejudice targeting our future selves:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/sep/14/the-ugly-truth-about-ageism-its-a-prejudice-targeting-our-future-selves
Like racism and sexism, ageism serves a social and economic purpose: to legitimize and sustain inequalities between groups. It’s not about how we look. It’s about how people that have influence, assign meaning to how we look.
“Imperialism leaves behind germs of rot which we must clinically detect and remove from our land but from our minds as well.” ― Frantz Fanon, The Wretched Of The Earth!
@Elizabeth: Is English your second language. Because I tried to follow your discourse and got lost along the way.So please come again.
Writer you really passed your place. What you did sounds like age discrimination. You know ABS to have a retirement policy? Aren’t most persons there on contract? . Your second alleged question was actually a statement where you insulted the minister. Honestly though if what you wrote was correctly described, you should not have been blocked but sternly answered (not rudely). As far as for the private entities you laud. I have had my experiences of asking top management what I thought were proper questions and being blocked. Recall Mr Derrick, the one that ran Digicel one time, not only ordering that my comment be removed, stating anytime I mentionn him or his family, the comment was banned and also cussing me online. Speaking of Derricks’s I am sure you recall WD refrain “cut him off”. Then there was Caribarena in its latter days that started to block my comments. Honestly though provide your name and I will beg Erna Mae on your behalf, especially if you promise to behave.
@The Truth:How did the writer insulted the Minister.The Minister cannot be insulted.He is the holder of a Ministerial Portfolio and a Public Figure.If you are thin skinned.Then politics is not for you. If you are not prepared to be ridiculed.Then get your backsides out of Public Office.Go back and become a Private Citizen like the rest of us.Until then that do nothing Minister has to take his licks. Stop whining for him.
Black Man because he in public office he not Human? Blood stop flowing? Recall some years ago when a reporter also passed his place with Pres Obama, and he got a stern reply after he accused Obama of being complicit in the killing of US soldiers. Seems, when the elected person is not in your party for you he is a rag doll. Boss civility goes a long way
@ ANAL the 1 st.
I used the word “insulted” instead of “insult”.I am so happy,no one got fired for that.
Wait, she is pushing 70…wow. I remember her from scotiabank days. She interviewed me for an award as a state college student goung on to university and she blocked me then too. Lol…Life
Editor@Antigua News Room: That lady pictured above is my Cousin.I saw her in Antigua last year.She looked nothing as in that picture above.Please use a better looking picture of her going forward.You are painting a negative picture of her,in my opinion.Why?
What a time to be alive when people have the energy to be bothered about being blocked on Facebook.
Indeed. No energy into constructive activities that uplift oneself and others.
Erna-Mae will be at ABS as long as the labour government is in office. She is s staunch labour supporter and her ex husband is Hurst. The Labour Party looks out for their people and only them must eat. They like to talk about other people collecting how many salaries but it doesn’t apply to them. They don’t care whether you old or not up to job or how many young people are out of work, once you are Labour you have a job.
@BLACK-MAN
Remember the biblical admonition of picki g the beam from one’s eye first…..? Well, you gave me quite a laugh when you asked ‘Elizabeth’ if English was her second language! You then went on to ask ‘TheTruth’ the following: ” How DID the writer INSULTED the Minister?” BLACK-MAN, is English your second language???
Forgive him, he has been weaned on ALP hate. He does seem intelligent enough that in time he will figure out much of it, is not based on truth. Focus has to be on A&B. Time to start treating persons No matter their political ties) the same way you wish to be treated. Other nations have done it even though there has been been killings , but we allow petty grievances to keep us divided.
I see a lot of comments about ageism and the bullshit! But lets not forget that when the GM was appointed to ABS all employees over 60 and approaching 60 was SKIDD straight out the door. No mercy shown!!!
And writer I understand your point… if you don’t fall into the narrative you will get dismissed!! Imagine Staff who spoke up about the overcrowding of the studio during an episode shoot for Carnival Countdown this July on their own personal social media accounts and the ones who commented underneath the post got transferred. Imagine that!!! Because they voiced concerns about a breach in COVID-19 PROTOCOLS that made them uncomfortable in their work space. But God doesn’t sleep! I PRAY THE WICKEDNESS MANAGEMENT HAS DONE AND CONTINUE TO EXECUTE AND GET WAY WITH!!!! …. doesn’t visit THEIR third and fourth generations. Have faith guys!!!! People don’t stay anywhere they not suppose to be for longer than they’re suppose to be!!!!! Y’all remember the story of Jezebel in the Bible….QUEEN JEZEBEL was one of the most intriguing women in the Scriptures… strong-willed, politically astute, and courageous….Sounds familiar???? Although she was all of these things her demise was nasty because of the evil she had done to others.
Erna-Mae employment is not based on merit. She is true red labour and ex husband is Max Hurst. Only sickness, death, or labour out of office will move her.
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