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REVIEW
MASS MEDIA ESSAYS
CAPE 2003
4. Describe how political interference has affected the mass media`s ability to contribute
positively to the development of the Caribbean region
Political interference is Government trying to influence the outcome of things
The mass media to a significant extent control what we see and know by deciding what programs to
air and what news to feature and which issues to present. In order to contribute positively to the
development of Caribbean people the mass media ought to bring our attention to all necessary
information to inform, educate and entertain us. It is evident however, that the mass media has been
comprised on numerous occasions by political inference.
 One of the major aims of the mass is to disseminate accurate information. Political inference
can go against this role. At times the shortcomings and inefficiencies of government or the
political system may not be given prominence.
 Bird ownership of most of the media houses in Antigua and Barbuda. In 2001 virtually all the
media were in the control of the Bird family. In 2002 the Observer recorded an interview with
a 14 year old girl alleging that she had sexual relations with the Prime Minister, Lester Bird
and was a drug courier to him. Bird sued the Observer for libel and threatened them with
closure for not paying millions of dollars in back taxes.
 In 1996 the Prime Minister of TnT Basdeo Panday called for the removal of Jones Madeira
editor of the Guardian newspaper. Madeira was asked by his bosses, a business cartel, to resign.
 There is often selective public and censorship of letters to the editor. A balanced picture of
the views of the population may not be presented because of political inference
 Victimization of employees of the media who refuse to `tow the line` of government thus the
evolution of a creeping dictatorship.
 1998 work permit for Barbadian journalist Julian Rogers who ran a TV programme Morming
Edition was not renewed. Rogers aired content which opposed the government
 2002 Barbadian journalist Julius Gittens host of a news programme The Big Issue in Antigua
and Barbuda was expelled from the country as he called for inquiries into government conduct
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CAPE 2005
7. Examine how freedom of the press impacts on development in the Caribbean
CAPE 2008
7. “Freedom of the press is a necessity in all Caribbean countries.” Do you agree? Provide
arguments and examples to support your answer.
Negatively/Disagree
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When censorship occurs, this is a clear indication that the press is not free to report events of
the day and the varied opinion of these events. Legal stances such as accusing journalists of
libel or slander can be seen as an effort to stifle a free press. In 2002, the Observer recorded
an interview with a 14 year old girl alleging that she had sexual relations with the Prime
Minister, Lester Bird and was a drug courier to him. Bird sued the Observer for libel and
threatened them with closure for not paying millions of dollars in back taxes.
Some of the media houses are owned by the government and big business and as a result it
becomes difficult to maintain a free press which is unable to present fair and accurate
reporting of the day. Bird ownership of most of the media houses in Antigua and Barbuda. In
2001, virtually all the media were in the control of the Bird family. In 1996, the Prime
Minister of TnT Basdeo Panday called for the removal of Jones Madeira editor of the
Guardian newspaper. Madeira was asked by his bosses, a business cartel, to resign.
A lot of the information in the form of syndicated news programmes comes pre-packaged
news from abroad replete with cultural norms and perspectives that are ethnocentric. News
from CNN, BBC, American and British news agencies may have their own political agenda
and can be accused of presenting a biased point of view such as the IMF and the WB,
international funding agencies.
Moreover, the pre-packaged news and films comes replete with foreign cultural norms and
values which promote the foreign culture as superior and represents a kind of cultural
imperialism and leads to an erosion of local cultural values.
With regard to sports such as West Indies Cricket, the broadcasting rights are now owned by
Sky Sports, an international broadcasting company. The press is therefore limited in their
access to reporting and gaining access to broadcasting the game
The press does not seem to engage in rigorous, investigative reporting which would confer
on it something of an objective and non-partisan role. Much of their news coverage actually
represents a response to something that is happening. When the press presents an issue one
wonders `whose issue` is it, who will benefit from this analysis and whose voices are
habitually silenced? The skepticism with which the press may be viewed has important
implications for development
Positively / Agree
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The press is a form of public education that informs, empowers, enlightens, persuades and
helps shape public opinion as well as change attitudes. The press was instrumental in making
the case known of the conflict between a US oil company who had gotten a legal permit to
explore oil in the ancestral lands of the Maya people. In 2013 a court in Belize sided with the
Mayas. By keeping the dialogue alive and by highlighting the perspectives of other groups,
the press can defend the rights of citizens and play a role in the resolution of issues.
It alerts us to the misuse of power and help preserve democracy e.g. Cuba the government
control what the public hears as compared to TnT
Talk shows, call in programmes, letters to the editor in which members can give their
opinions freely can influence how government treats society
The press can play a pivotal role in setting the agenda for government action. By bringing an
issue to the attention of the public, policy may evolve to address an issue of concern.
Mass media can promote development by regional and international publicity by highlighting
events which occur in the region inclusive of policies emanating out of CARICOM, which
can encourage foreign investment by MNCs
CAPE 2010
8. “The mass media in the Caribbean is pre-occupied with sensational news reporting such
as crime and violence – rape and burglaries- with little focus on the region`s economic,
educational and other developmental issues.”
Give arguments for AND against this statement.
Mass media channels which communicate messages to large audiences simultaneously. These are
divided into two basic categories – print and electronic.
Sensational news reporting refers to any information that borders on extremes and captures the
public’s attention readily such as gruesome murders, rapes, robberies, fraud, lifestyles of
politicians, celebrities, sportsmen/women and business persons.
Points FOR the statement
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The media is a business entity and for its continued operation it needs to generate funds
– more ads, more sensational reporting. A lot of the content coming from media houses
focus on negative sensational news such as homicides, murders, rapes, robberies and social
events of the ‘rich and famous’. News/information of this nature provides ‘fodder’ for the
pessimists in society. This may be understandable as news of this nature is easy to acquire and
captivates large audiences. Sensational news sells so it guarantees a wider readership and
listenership – more papers are purchased and radio listened to and TV watched. It sells more
advertising space on radio and TV. One may argue that the media gives the audience what it
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wants; it caters to the demand and so if the public wants a diet of sensational reporting then it
is fed to them.
Sensationalism may include reporting about generally insignificant matters and events
that don't influence overall society and biased presentations of newsworthy topics in a
trivial or tabloid manner. Sensationalism is a type of editorial bias in mass media in which
events and topics in news stories and pieces are over-hyped to increase viewership or
readership numbers. Some tactics include being deliberately obtuse, appealing to emotions,
being controversial, intentionally omitting facts and information, being loud and selfcentered and acting to obtain attention. Trivial information and events are sometimes
misrepresented and exaggerated as important or significant, and often includes stories about
the actions of individuals and small groups of people, the content of which is often
insignificant and irrelevant. Furthermore, the content and subject matter typically doesn't
affect the lives of the masses and doesn't affect society, and instead is broadcast and printed
to attract viewers and readers.
Sensational reporting places a lesser focus on objective journalism in favor of a profit
motive, in which editorial choices are based upon sensational stories and presentations
to increase advertising revenue . One presumed goal of sensational reporting is to increase
or sustain viewership or readership, from which media outlets can price their advertising
higher to increase their profits based on higher numbers of viewers and/or readers.
Additionally, advertisers tend to have a preference for their products or services to be
reported positively in mass media, which can contribute to bias in news reporting in favor of
media outlets protecting their profits and revenues, rather than reporting objectively about
stated products and services.
The mass media often uses `prime time ‘for radio and television, or the front and back pages
in newspapers to increase viewership or readership as they determined what is deemed as
necessary for the day-to-day reporting of the news, as against what was required for the longterm goals of development.
Government agencies often do little to ensure that the mass media keep the public informed
about education and developmental issues. The underuse of the Internet by government
officials to engage the public in discussions regarding developmental concerns increases the
mass media ability to present quality news. It is the government`s duty and responsibility to
inform the citizens of educational and developmental issues. The state can acquire free air time
on radio and television and can create their own websites to disseminate information on
important issues.
The fact that crime and disaster are favorite topics of the media has the effect that people
overestimate the dangers in their environment. They come to perceive the world as more
dangerous and evil than it.
Points AGAINST the statement
The Mass Media Has Provided Information on developmental issues
✓ Information about institutions locally, regionally or internationally, journalists investigate
local institutions such as the church, school, health care, justice system in order to provide
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information to the public on their operations. At the regional level, many journalists have
written extensively on CARICOM and its various institutions such as CSME and CCJ in order
to educate the public on its importance to regional integration etc. At the international level,
much has been written about WTO, IMF, United Nations and its affiliations in relation to their
impact on third world countries and especially the Caribbean. In addition, much has been done
to educate the region on the operations of WTO, IMF, IADB, and WHO etc. through articles,
feature films and documentaries.
✓ Media has also covered local, regional and international events, even if they do employ
some degree of sensationalism to attract readership and listenership. Events such as crime,
general elections, Prime Ministers’ speeches, budget debates and pollution are brought to the
public’s attention. On a regional level, events such as Heads of Government conferences,
sporting events, natural disasters (hurricane, flooding, volcanic eruption) and at international
level events such as Iraq War, Israeli/Palestine conflict, 9/11 attack, SARs outbreak, Olympics,
earthquakes, tsunamis etc.
✓ The mass media also take an interest in reporting on trends as they see fit; rising crime
rate in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados. Kidnapping in Trinidad and Guyana, trade liberalization
trends on the international scene, AIDS, etc. Local entertainment takes center stage in media
within the region; sporting events, concerts and festivals (carnival and crop over and Caribbean
song festival) are given priority. Due to satellite technology, international entertainment is
beamed into most homes in the region: Olympics, World Games, World Cup Football and
World Cricket, NBA, Miss World, Miss Universe, Grammys, Oscars etc. It therefore gives
considerable air time and space to the history and culture of the people of the region, showcase
cultural events & festivals
2013-8.
2014-8.
2015-4.
2018-4.
Development is directly related to the ability of citizens to exercise their fundamental democratic
rights.” Do you agree? Using examples from the Caribbean, assess the validity of the statement
above. (30marks)
“In the 1960s, the Dependency theory attempted to explain underdevelopment in the Caribbean.”
Discuss the extent to which the dependency theory is still useful in explaining Caribbean
development in the 21st century
Discuss FOUR ways in which popular movements in the Caribbean have shaped the region’s
political identity. (20 marks)
Discuss the extent to which the ideology `indigenous perspective` has contributed to the
reshaping of thought on Caribbean development. (30 marks)
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Intellectual Traditions Essay
2013- 8. Development is directly related to the ability of citizens to exercise their fundamental democratic
rights.” Do you agree? Using examples from the Caribbean, assess the validity of the statement above.
(30marks)
Thought the rights are considered political they extend to other areas – the economic and social
realm
Fundamental rights:
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Right to participate in national decision-making- this ensures that citizens have a voice in matters that
concern them. By having this right guaranteed under whatever institutional mechanism, there is the
likelihood that policymakers will address matters of concern to the population. These are usually
linked to development issues
Right to life, liberty and security of person – these inalienable human rights which are oftentimes
guaranteed by a country`s constitution. These rights allow people as human beings to pursue their
`natural` activities without state interference. This leads to the unleashing of the creative mind, which
benefits society as a whole and further enhances development of the society.
Freedom of association/assembly- this ensures that citizens can assemble for whatever lawful reason
they may so desire. For example, if citizens feel the need to show their support /disapproval of
particular actions of the government or a cause they have the right to do so. This ensures their
participation in the political life of the society, which redounds (overflow) to benefit in other areas of
national life
Freedom of speech and expression- citizens must be able to express their views on almost all issues
without fear of being arrested, such freedom will allow for the generation of new ideas/thinking that
could unleash their potential which would benefit the society as a whole
Right to form political parties or choose their own representatives- this is a critical right to be enjoyed
by citizens who must have a say in who they choose to be their representatives. This ensures that they
take an interest in the candidates selected by the majority to govern, which ensures legitimacy, which
will more likely result in stability and development in the society
Right to vote- universal adult suffrage means that all qualified citizens have an equal and effective
opportunity to vote in elections, where all votes should be counted as equal. This is very important
since irrespective of issues such as wealth, status and race, all the votes are equal. This opportunity to
vote ensures that citizens are involved in the decisions that affect their lives, which leads to citizens
being more favorably disposed to accepting decisions.
Right of access to information – this is particularly critical since citizens must be aware of issues that
concern their livelihoods. There is the need of unbiased, updated information of the plans and
programmes of the government. This enables citizens to review these and make
comments/recommendations as they see fit. In many instances there would more familiar with the
pertinent issues affecting them in a more personal way and make meaningful contributions to the
society and to development
Freedom of worship/religion – this right helps to ensure the stability in society since citizens are able
to freely decide their religion. It shows tolerance and respect for fellow citizens who, once they are
comfortable can pursue their legal activities without fear of discrimination to the benefit of the
country. This takes on added significance in a plural society.
Right to a fair trial – this is extremely important for a number of reasons since it ensures that all
citizens are equal before the law irrespective of status, age, race, gender. Additionally, citizens can
seek legal redress for supposed wrongs, even from the government. Furthermore, business dealings
are approached with confidence in the knowledge that there is always legal redress especially with
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respect to areas such as contracts and claims this has the effect of attracting investment to a country
and so contributing to its development.
▪ UN rights of a child to education, family, to play, equal chance to development
▪ Police power/brutality
If student Disagree
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Totalitarian states such as Cuba has higher HDI than most Anglophone Caribbean countries
Policies can be implemented without electoral mandate
Ease of administrative implementation/eliminate redtape, and enables development faster
Lack of checks and balance to review process of policy making.
dependency theorists often draw a connection between the role of the capitalist
system and the underdevelopment of the periphery