Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
The Trinidad Guardian newspaper had observers covering their eyes again when the self-declared “Guardian of Democracy” published a photograph, presumably of activist Wayne Kublalsingh, with the headline: “Trinidad and Tobago discovers a human reptile.”
Under the photograph ran the caption: “The Kub-lal. An unusual human reptile discovered here on the pavement basking in the limelight everyday outside the Prime Minister’s office, defies medical explanation by surviving without food and water for weeks without any sign of health issues.”
It was, according to a footnote, a “paid advertisement” by a group that referred to itself as “Citizens4dhighway” and apparently gets medical advice from the same dark alley as Health Minister Fuad Khan.
Phew. For a second, Mr Live Wire thought the Guardian newspaper was run by some perverse, soulless psychopaths with less human decency than the Boko Haram, who were happy to bully, slander and vilify a frail lecturer on a hunger strike.
But, no, Guardian did not really think those things; the newspaper was paid to publish it, you see. So that makes it alright. Not so?
It is a defence that would not work in court for a hit man or drug mule. But, for a multi-million dollar media house, who knows?
Mr Live Wire is passing the collection basket around to fund a second Guardian ad, which reads: “This newspaper will screw anyone for money while its owner holds the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for outstanding contributions to public service. Does that mean prostitution is now legal?”
Or maybe: “Wanted: Human beings with common decency to replace heartless f**ks at Trinidad Guardian who ran Kublalsingh attack ad.”
Perhaps Guardian editor-in-chief Judy Raymond can tell us what it would cost to have the people responsible for publishing that advertisement slap themselves repeatedly. Clearly the Guardian has less concern for what happens between their sheets than the average prostitute.
And, for those who say the Guardian is entitled to take all paid ads to run its organisation, ask yourself if the newspaper would still have published if the payer replaced the word “Kub-lal” with “Sabga.”
The popular nutsman, “Nuts Landing”, often tells a joke about a supposed shooting on the Brian Lara Promenade.
An armed assailant fired a bullet which flew straight through the arm of a bystander and killed a passer-by. The police arrested the shot bystander.
“But I didn’t shoot him,” said the bleeding bystander. “Why are you arresting me?”
“Because it’s through you the man dead,” replied the policeman.
The made-up bystander obviously had a point. But the Trinidad Guardian, which collected money and then hid its payer’s identity behind a murky, unregistered organisation, has no case.
But then who needs to justify their actions in Trinidad and Tobago if they have a million-dollar attorney on speed dial?
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to view the Trinidad Guardian’s apology on its digital paper.
Trinidad Express editorial writer: I’m so bad-arse that despite criticism from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Chinese embassy, Read more
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith channeled his inner Mike Pence today as he repeated calls for a range of sanctions Read more
Scene: Dark, almost deserted car park in west Trinidad. Mr Live Wire makes his way towards the lone vehicle in Read more
Soca star Machel Montano secured his ninth Road March title yesterday after his collaboration with Super Blue, “Soca Kingdom”—an okay Read more
Scene: COSTAATT campus. In an effort to spice up its media programme, the tertiary level school has hired Mr Live Read more
It is Day Seven of Hurricane A&V: a low pressure weather system which has struck Trinidad and Tobago with little Read more
Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
But no steups for the man pretending to fast. It is typical that we believe the trained actors.
I saw that ad and thought to myself..”wow, that is childish” paints us all in a very very silly light. And the letter to the Medical Doctor from the boy Ravi was as pathetic. But I do sympathize with this child Ravi; anytime a human being attempts something as difficult as conquering mind over body it really is best that you have a solid peaceful focus over your mind BEFORE attempting to add pivotal pain like fasting, thirst and such. I imagine that starting this thing with a highlighted “spite” factor would make it very hard to handle AND by virtue of starting on the wrong footing, renders the effort quite useless to deeper thinking minds. Certainly elicits a big ol fashion STEUPPS from me in any case. Sorry son.
Mr Liburd, you do journalism proud although all of your efforts cannot undo the damage done by the stuff you expose in here.
#haddakeepthe…well, some of yall know the rest.
smdh … absolutely appalling
Oh no. Wow. What do we have here. Don’t be disrespectful to our past boy. There were many people who fought to have the comforts you are having now. And this machine you writing on, many of the parts are from digging Mother Earth. Even the electricity, the gas for you to sit in your air conditioned car, for you to cook without smoke in your face. Don’t degrade those who died fighting.
I have to laugh sometimes yes. If we all went extreme like Kubs, we would be still bareback in the bush shitting in a hole.
How sad. He is getting help from the divine. How long, god knows. His cause is for the truth. People would not understand this strength.
Kubs already won the war. He got NIDCO to fix a lot of deficiencies, He just does not know when to call it quits.
I have a lot more understanding of the situation than most. This is a lost cause.
Of course. Let us all sit in the comfort of our house (and limited understanding) and determine which cause we think is worth fighting for and which is not. I like that approach..
Why do you place an ad in a newspaper? It is to get the message circulated. Isn’t it being circulated here? Only difference is that it is for free.
You are also right about me not caring about Kubs. When Kubs pick up a cause worth supporting I can back him. Why didn’t he go and protest against the Muslimeen illegal quarries? Where was he when they mash up San Fernando Hill? He seem to have lost his way with this one. First it was because people were being displaced, now is because of a swamp that people built houses in and reduced the size of the swamp. Next it will be about good governance and transparency. After that it will be because Kermit like tea.
For as far back as recorded time, people and entities have been called out on perpetual shortcomings and stupidity. You can call it free advertising. Some people see it as calling out. On perpetual shortcomings and stupidity..
I think you all are missing the bigger picture. This post is free advertising for the Guradian and even more free advertising for the people who placed the ad.
You couldn’t care less about media code or anything resembling ethics I am sure Jason. As your very first comments stated you also couldn’t care less about ‘Kubs’ and his cause. I admire your attempt to hide your true position behind the media lack of responsibility though..
There is no code. Only agendas and revenue.
Well I guess if you don’t know of the code it doesn’t exist.
I don’t know of any such code in the media. The only code I have observed is push the limits and hire good lawyers when those law suits start to come in.
Yes yes. Business as ususal why bother to complain right. If that consoles you why you even commenting? We hotting we head why you bothering?
Actually hookers have morality. Sex workers have a code and stick to it. Guardian has a code.. Much touted during walk out Wednesday. It also has a chain of command and protocol on editorial… And didn’t follow it. I’ll thank you to give sex workers some respect.
Which world you live in? Media sensationalize for profit. You seem to be looking for morality in a hooker.
You totally missed the point I was making. A media house has a responsibility to it’s readers. To compare those expected practise to that of social media makes little sense. Still, even Facebook has lines it won’t cross and things they won’t tolerate, a concept it seems that is lost to some media houses.
Kirk somehow you believe people read the news from the newspapers more than they get information from social media. I am sure most people would have actually seen this article on social media like this post. As a matter of fact, this is the first place I saw it.
Stopped buying guardian since the editors all resigned because of alleged Political Interference.
I find it amusing that the operations of a daily newspaper with it’s own expected responsibility can be compared to a social media website. In related news, there are still some things Facebook will not tolerate or stand for. Imagine that if you can..
The best way to kill some propaganda is to ignore it totally.
Jason Lewis, like yuh still ent read de copy of de HRC Report dat ah give yuh.
As a matter of fact you are helping spread the same message you are disgusted with.
Money talks Rhoda! Trust me this is nothing compared to what will be seen come election time 2015. ENT?
I don’t have any high expectations from any media these days. While we buying all the shit they are selling, they laughing all the way to the bank. You simply mentioning the ad is giving them more visibility.
The media is not supposed to hold Facebook up as a template. Not that I would argue with you there.
We have the OCM group who seem to thrive on propaganda and slander, then we have the syrian media that sway from side to side as the wind blows.
I see all kinds of slander on facebook and people doing it for free. There is nothing moral about Trinidad’s media.
Here’s a tip Jason Lewis. People cannot publish anything they like about someone else. Ad or not.
Look up: “slander.” And while you’re at, look up: “red herring.”
This is about the operation of the media and its moral and legal moorings.
One’s opinion of the highway re-route movement is irrelevant to this topic and the HRM’s fight was not even mentioned in the article.
Also Lasana, unlike you I was there. I can verify what is in the article as the truth. The JCC also agreed that the government never agreed to abide by the findings. They agreed to consider it. I saw first hand how these people calling themselves impartial and civil society, only have one goal & that is to frustrate the government. Nothing else.
It is an ad. People pay for ads and the newspapers place them. By the way, media houses don’t need any help being vile and disgusting.
“This newspaper will screw anyone for money while its owner holds the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for outstanding contributions to public service. Does that mean prostitution is now legal?”
Lol
Jack good good pardner? Why all yuh so?
Wrong thread Jason Lewis. We are discussing the morality of a media house allowing itself to be used in a vile attack on a citizen for money.
I wouldn’t even comment on the columnist you chose to put your faith in.
I have seen open contempt and disgust towards Dr. Kublasingh position on one hand, later masked by a pathetic attempt to appear concerned after the fact..
Peter O Connor is a consultant on the project?
Is he refuting the Armstrong Report?
I would like to introduce some logic from Peter O’Connor. “The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure met with the Civil Society groups on Wednesday, I attended the meeting because I wanted to learn more, from both sides. I learned the following, and none of this was disputed by either side:
The route between Mon Desir and Debe does not pass through the swamp as previously claimed. The only place where mangrove is being destroyed is along the Mosquito Creek stretch which is not in dispute. No mountain is being removed from the Northern Range to fill the swamp. The revised proposed HRM re-route had not been assessed by any engineers for the HRM. So the work and the protests continue.
It would be interesting to visit the area and southwest generally in two years time, to see for ourselves what the highway has done for the people and for business, and what problems it has brought to the communities there.” http://www.newsday.co.tt/commentary/0,201816.html
Kubs may have started in the right place, but I think he is only trying to remain relevant now. This is his only claim to fame and logic and sense is trying to take that away from him.
Sometimes the people who sympathize with a particular cause are not tree huggers, eccentrics, axe grinders, elitists or political toters. Sometimes people sympathize because they have this little thing called sympathy. And understanding. Even in it’s basic form it’s still a human condition, not a disease..
Lasana Liburd you are calling Kubs voiceless? LOL. I would have assumed you would reserve that label for abused children etc. not on a man whose only claim to fame is protesting. Without protesting Kubs is as invisible as a vagrant in Woodford Square. I think he is afraid to go back being a virual nobody if he stops.
LOL. The normal whose who of who can get attention off of Kubs are assembling.
It is amazing that the people who seem to sympathize with Kubs are tree huggers, eccentrics, axe grinders, elitists and generally political toters.
The EIC is adamant that her team didn’t.
The ad was laid out to look like a newspaper story. Is Judy saying that someone in advertising used a Guardian editorial template to build the ad? Or is the Guardian editorial template used by Independent ad agencies to build advertorials? This. Makes. No. Sense.