Caption: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, third from right with media photographers, from left Jermaine Cruickshank, of Express, Angelo Marcelle, of Newsday, Ishmael Salandy, of Express, Azlan Mohammed, of AZP News and Roger Jacob of Guardian at the PNM’s Mix and Mingle for the Media last Wednesday
AZP News Commentary
By Dr Neil Gosine
Dr Keith Rowley’s farewell to the media at Balisier House contrasts the thunderous relationship he often shared with journalists during his tenure as prime minister.
While his address at this mixer recently may mark one of his final addresses to the media, it was marked by a tone of togetherness and nostalgia, it is impossible to overlook the glaring hypocrisy of the moment.
For years, Rowley gained a reputation for chastising and belittling media personnel during press conferences, often dismissing their questions as irrelevant or unworthy of his time.
The sudden shift in tone now requesting not to be forgotten and paying tribute to media stalwarts feels a bit disingenuous, considering the disdain he frequently displayed toward the very profession he now addresses with camaraderie.
This manner of conduct raises questions about whether his parting words were motivated by genuine appreciation or merely a calculated attempt to reshape his narrative as his retirement approaches.
The media play an essential role in holding leaders accountable, yet Rowley’s history of treating journalists with contempt undermined that vital role they play in our democracy. His reluctance to engage constructively with challenging questions not only stifled dialogue but also projected an image of a leader more concerned with control and power rather than transparency.
As he bids farewell, one must question whether this appeal for remembrance comes from an acknowledgment of his past missteps or simply an attempt to soften his legacy with the hope that the journalists will paint him in a better light.
Regardless, Rowley’s tumultuous record with the press serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a respectful and cooperative relationship with media professionals which is an essential pillar of any functioning democracy.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited
Rowley’s Media Farewell is Hypocrisy
Caption: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, third from right with media photographers, from left Jermaine Cruickshank, of Express, Angelo Marcelle, of Newsday, Ishmael Salandy, of Express, Azlan Mohammed, of AZP News and Roger Jacob of Guardian at the PNM’s Mix and Mingle for the Media last Wednesday
AZP News Commentary
Dr Keith Rowley’s farewell to the media at Balisier House contrasts the thunderous relationship he often shared with journalists during his tenure as prime minister.
While his address at this mixer recently may mark one of his final addresses to the media, it was marked by a tone of togetherness and nostalgia, it is impossible to overlook the glaring hypocrisy of the moment.
For years, Rowley gained a reputation for chastising and belittling media personnel during press conferences, often dismissing their questions as irrelevant or unworthy of his time.
The sudden shift in tone now requesting not to be forgotten and paying tribute to media stalwarts feels a bit disingenuous, considering the disdain he frequently displayed toward the very profession he now addresses with camaraderie.
This manner of conduct raises questions about whether his parting words were motivated by genuine appreciation or merely a calculated attempt to reshape his narrative as his retirement approaches.
The media play an essential role in holding leaders accountable, yet Rowley’s history of treating journalists with contempt undermined that vital role they play in our democracy. His reluctance to engage constructively with challenging questions not only stifled dialogue but also projected an image of a leader more concerned with control and power rather than transparency.
As he bids farewell, one must question whether this appeal for remembrance comes from an acknowledgment of his past missteps or simply an attempt to soften his legacy with the hope that the journalists will paint him in a better light.
Regardless, Rowley’s tumultuous record with the press serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a respectful and cooperative relationship with media professionals which is an essential pillar of any functioning democracy.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited