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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

The Progressive Liberal Party has officially selected the famed gaming businessman and ambassador Sebas Bastian to run on its Fort Charlotte ticket in the upcoming general election— a move that could be seen as a strategic play by the governing party.

Here are 5 things Sebas Bastian brings to the PLP ticket—some of which could strengthen the party and stir backlash:

1. Money

Bastian is one of the country’s wealthiest businessmen, making most of his wealth from gaming.

As the owner of Island Luck, one of the country’s largest gaming companies, and other business ventures, he brings deep financial resources that could supercharge the PLP’s campaign operations, making Fort Charlotte one of the most competitive constituencies in the next election.

2. Media Influence

Bastian controls a popular private media outlet– Eyewitness News.

That gives him an audience, visibility, narrative control, and influence that few to no candidates possess.

3. Youth

At 40, Bastian represents a perceived new generation of leadership within the PLP, one that could resemble what Bahamians have been calling for, rather than the party’s old guard.

He can be perceived as a fresh face with new ideas, possibly expanding the party’s base beyond traditional supporters.

4. A brand as an innovator

Bastian has branded himself as a modern, innovative entrepreneur with investments in various ventures and constantly holds motivational conferences under the banner OWN Talks.

His inclusion on the PLP ticket could help the party appeal to younger, business-minded voters, which is a persuasion that the party is shifting toward innovation within its political circle.

5. A controversial gaming connection

While his gaming business empire brings him success, it also carries baggage.

The gaming industry remains controversial among religious and conservative communities in the Bahamas, which have long opposed its legalization and increase.

Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears, a veteran politician and Cabinet minister, has publicly endorsed businessman and Ambassador Sebas Bastian as his favored successor in the next general election.

His name has long floated around the Progressive Liberal Party’s circles.

Though the PLP has not yet nominated Bastian, the endorsement has sparked discussion about which direction the party appears to be heading and the blurred line between the acquisition of wealth, media influence, and political power in the Bahamas.

Who is Sebas Bastian?

Bastian is the owner of Island Luck, one of the country’s largest gaming businesses, and is also the owner of Eyewitness News.

He also serves as a Non-resident Ambassador to South America and has built a reputation as a technology-minded entrepreneur.

If he officially enters frontline politics, he would bring significant resources, media reach, and youth appeal. However, it would raise questions about the crossing of the controversial gaming industry and power.

What this could mean for the PLP

Inside the party, his nomination could energize young people and attract the youth and other like-minded technology-based entrepreneurs.

But it will also draw criticism from the religious sector of society, which is wary of the gambling ties with politics.

What happens next

Bastian would still need to be formally nominated by the PLP’s Candidates Committee, and it is not known when the party will announce its list of candidates for the upcoming general election.

The Free National Movement has already nominated Travis Robinson as its official candidate for the area and has been working in the community for some time.

Sears served consecutively for two terms in Fort Charlotte. The Free National Movement’s Mark Humes won the seat in 2017 before Sears came back to win it for the PLP, serving a third term.

Featured pictures: ZNS and Facebook

In the middle of the 2022-2023 Budget Debate, House Speaker Patricia Deveaux scolded the Member of Parliament for Montague, Adrian White for wearing the “wrong color necktie” in the House of Assembly.

White was making contributions to the debate when Deveaux argued an earlier comment made by White in his speech.

“He’s getting out of hand today. And I ain’t even pick on him cause he ain’t even wearing the right color tie today,” she said to FNM Leader Michael Pintard who stood up to request more time for White.

She then turns to White, “Don’t come back here in that–[It’s either] black, grey [or] blue.”

White responded, “My tie is in accordance with the rules, Madam Speaker.”

Deveaux retorts, “It ain’t. Oh no.”

White then emphasizes that the House rules speak to the wearing of “dark color suits” only.

Deveaux seeks clarification from the House clark and then reiterates, “Dark colors, okay.”

Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears then stands to his feet to support Deveaux while reading from the rule book:

“Rule 93 says the dress of the members of the House including the Speaker at sittings shall be dark suits with ties for men and dark business suits or dress for women provided on state or formal occasions.”

He added, “The tie must be consistent,” before sitting down.

Defending himself, White said other ministers were seen wearing yellow ties in the past to which Deveaux said, “Not in here. Not under my watch. Now you cut it out.”

She then impressed upon White to button his jacket.

At the conclusion of his speech, he showed Deveaux an image of a PLP member wearing a yellow necktie.

Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes said he still does not know why he was not renominated by the Free National Movement to run in the 2022 General Election.

In what could be his last contribution in the House of Assembly on Monday, Humes said he continues to smile because “these things are just a part of life.”

“So what if I didn’t get a nomination for the next general election, that doesn’t mean life is over.”

The big picture

The Free National Movement ratified Drumeco Archer to run in the 2022 General Election, surprising Humes who said he was expecting to run again.

When Prime Minister Hubert Minnis alluded to Archer as the next MP for the area, in the House of Assembly last week Wednesday, Humes stood to his feet demanding that Minnis respect his position as the sitting MP.

What Humes says

Humes said he is grateful that Minnis called to inform him that he will not be ratified.

“The Prime Minister did call me following the exchange. It was the right gesture.

“But if he didn’t call or reach out to me, it would not mean my life is over,” he said.

Humes said contrary to speculations, he has not accepted any offers from his party nor any other political group.

Photo Courtesy: The Nassau Guardian 

Ft Charlotte MP Mark Humes broke his silence in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, requesting that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis respect his position as the sitting MP, after Minnis in a speech, alluded to the party’s newly ratified candidate Dremeco Archer as the next MP for the area.

Humes said, “I think it’s quite disrespectful that, as I am the current member of parliament, sit here in the HOA, the duly elected, and unceremoniously deselected member of parliament. It’s quite disrespectful that my party would speak to or refer to him (Archer) as the next member of parliament.”

His response came after Minnis said, “I call Dremeco Archer, the next Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte,” before being interrupted by Humes.

“There’s no guarantee. The people still have a say in that matter. I would ask for more respect for the current sitting member of parliament until such time as I graciously decide to move aside, if that is what I’m going to do.

“But until such time, I would just ask my dear Prime Minister to give me a little more respect,” Humes said.

Archer was ratified by the Free National Movement in April to run in the 2022 General Election.

Archer is a lawyer by trade and presently serves as president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA).

Back in March, speculation stirred that Humes may not have been renominated for the area. He told Eye Witness News at the time that he would respect his party’s process, stating that he will “let the party do what it has to do,” then he will “see what happens after that.”

But today in the House, he said, “Typically, I’m very quiet here in the House. I listen quite intently to what is taking place. And most of the last few months, I sort of graciously kept silent on most matters, actually for the last four years, [on] most matters that have taken place in Fort Charlotte.”

Minnis said he intended no disrespect or ill intent toward Humes.