By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 2, 2021 — Anthon Thompson posted an excellent collage of photos on his Facebook page today of the swearing-in ceremony for a number of Justices of the Peace by Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt that I felt obligated to share as a veteran journalist.
Clearly, the impressive ceremony held to formalize the selection of persons to such an important position in The Bahamas’ judicial system should have been the basis for a major press release by The Bahamas Information Services (BIS). So, my first inclination was to see whether a story had been released by BIS on the Government’s News and Press Releases website, but I did not find one.
Nonetheless, based on my review of the montage of photos, I am assuming that five persons were sworn-in as Justices of the Peace: JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Clay Sweeting, Picewell Forbes, Charles McCartney and Michael Foulkes. The other persons included in Mr. Thompson’s impressive collage of photos apparently are family and friends.
If I am wrong, I hope that BIS would start living up to what it was mandated to do when it was established by an act of Parliament in 1974 and issue a proper press release.
According to information gleaned from the Internet, BIS was formed “to ensure effective communications between the government and the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas by providing a central channel through which may flow information to and inquiries from local, regional and international media and the public.”
“In general, BIS is mandated to advise the Government in relation to the dissemination of information on the policies and activities of the government, and to promote the policies, programmes, goals and role of the government,” the “mission statement” notes, adding: “BIS assists the government with public relations, and its officers sit on many governmental committees, offering advice on developing and publicizing various programmes.”
Continuing, the “mission statement” says: “BIS is of service to the government of the day, government ministries, departments and affiliated services, regardless of the political party controlling the country. The department is not for the promotion of party politics nor the promotion of party or politicians.
“BIS employs seasoned journalists and photojournalists. The department is also a link to many national news agencies, especially those in the Family Islands, and offers its services digitally for more immediate access.”
Under current Executive Director Kevin Harris, however, BIS has not been functioning as an effective news agency, primarily because Executive Director Harris has very little journalistic experience, other than being host of a controversial radio talk show, during which he made no effort to disguise his outright bias in favour of the Free National Movement (FNM) leading up to the May 10, 2017 general election.
Given his lack of experience as a journalist, it could very well be concluded that when the FNM became the government, Mr. Harris was made Executive Director of BIS as a “reward” for supporting the FNM.
However, his lack of professional journalistic experience is not the only reason why BIS is malfunctioning as a news agency. To be sure, with the exception Matt Maura and Lindsay Thompson, it would be a misnomer to describe some of the other members of BIS current journalistic staff as “seasoned journalists.”
Nonetheless, even though he lacks journalistic expertise, BIS Executive Director Harris should have recognized the news value of the Justices of the Peace swearing-in ceremony, considering the importance of the functions of Justices of the Peace.
According to the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs:
“Section 5 – 12 of the Magistrates Act, Ch. 54, provides for the appointment of Justices of the Peace. Providing persons with the responsibilities of a justice of the peace within the 31 family islands alleviates the burden on the judicial system in that travel to New Providence for certain legal services is not necessary. He/she is appointed to have the same powers as a magistrate to sign warrants for the apprehension and commitment for safe custody of persons charged with offences and to issue search warrants.
Additionally, as a justice of the peace, power is provided by section 8 of the Act, to preserve the peace, to suppress riots and affrays, and to disperse all disorderly and tumultuous assemblies, and for any of these purposes to call in the assistance of the police and Her Majesty’s liege subjects who shall be bound to obey all such lawful commands.
Further, by section 9 of the Act, whenever any magistrate is unable from sickness, absence or any other cause, to be present in court, any two justices of the peace may, on the request in writing of such magistrate, sit in court in his/her place and shall while so sitting, have all the powers and jurisdiction exercisable by him/her. In this regard, the Chief Magistrate may, at any time, whenever he/she shall deem it expedient, authorize any justice of the peace so to act and assist in the place of a magistrate and he/she shall be entitled to the same immunities and protection that a magistrate is entitled.
Additionally such persons are empowered to take affidavits and administer oaths.”
