CEO of Verizon Media Group, the parent company of Eyewitness News Gershan Major rushed to defend the media house amidst public trust and credibility concerns after its owner Sebas Bastian was nominated to pursue his political ambitions.
Major said Bastian does not have “any direct operational oversight or involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company,” adding that the organisation’s tenets remain based on “facts, accuracy, and balance.”
Why it matters
Even without direct involvement, his ownership still shapes perception, coverage, and credibility.
Journalistic ethics dictate that journalists are expected to be objective and impartial in reporting the news.
Though Major argues that Bastian is not involved in the media house’s decision-making, as an owner of the media house, the question of Bastian’s influence arises.
The big story
Bastian has been ratified as the Progressive Liberal Party’s pick for Fort Charlotte, after rumours that he was entering frontline politics. In the wake of his entrance into politics, another owner of a competing media Wendall Jones spoke out, warning that a media executive mixing in politics should resign.
Bastian is not the only one blurring the lines between journalism and politics this election cycle. Robert Dupuch, president of The Tribune, and Clint Watson, former journalist turned press secretary and now general manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, are joining Bastian on the PLP ticket.
State of play
Can journalists at Eye Witness News, The Tribune and ZNS stay impartial when their bosses enter the political arena? And, can Bastian, Dupuch and Watson, if elected, also be trusted as policy makers?
Experts say key ethical safeguards should be followed if a journalist wants to pursue politics: Senior journalists and media executives should step down from their media roles to avoid any appearance of any conflict of interest. And, publicly declare any perceived conflicts of interest related to their political ambition.
Featured pictures: Eye Witness News