By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE FNM its threatening to tell its supporters to boycott ZNS as a result of the “blatant and shameful political bias” demonstrated by the country’s television network.

Party chairman Darron Cash pointed to the comparative lack of coverage in Parliament for the opposition as proof of “a disgraceful pattern of behaviour” and called on the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee – his FNM colleague, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman – to “shine a spotlight” on ZNS.

Mr Cash asked why the contributions of PLP members in the House last Wednesday were given full coverage, while Mr Chipman’s was not.

“In Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Fred Mitchell spoke passionately about his perceptions of bias at one of the local daily newspapers,” Mr Cash said.

“I found his contribution amusing, because while the same newspaper of which he was complaining was mercilessly attacking the current FNM leadership, I have no doubt that the Fox Hill MP was immensely gleeful.

“It is interesting that within hours of his impassioned presentation in the House even the most casual media observers witnessed yet another blatant and shameless display of political bias on the part of the news division of the Broadcasting Corporation.”

Mr Cash said Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis began the debate on Wednesday, then Mr Mitchell spoke.

“Both men spoke for over one hour,” Mr Cash said.

Then, Mr Chipman spoke “immediately after” Mr Mitchell and before Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Daniel Johnson and North Abaco NP Renardo Curry.

“That evening on the ZNS network news a story was carried and it covered remarks made by Mr Halkitis and Mr Mitchell. The news anchor also stated that Renardo Curry and Daniel Johnson spoke on the budget that day. Absolutely no mention was made of Mr Chipman’s contribution to the debate or even that he spoke,” Mr Cash said.

“On Thursday morning, the 7.30am news on ZNS had another news story about the budget debate. The story mentioned the contributions by Mr Halkitis and another minister and also had an audio insert of the contribution made by the PLP member for North Abaco. Once again there was absolutely no mention made of Mr Chipman’s contribution to the very same debate.

“The national broadcasting station that all Bahamians pay for should not be abused in this manner. This pattern of intentionally excluding the official opposition’s position from the national public airways has been a disgraceful pattern of behaviour under this PLP government. This is the one thing that they were ready for on day one. It must now stop. Wednesday’s disgraceful performance by ZNS news must be the last straw.”

What the chairman and general manager of ZNS “must recognise” is that FNM supporters also watch and advertise on ZNS, Mr Cash said.

“Unless they begin taking immediate steps to present a more fair and balanced account of the news, the FNM will commence a campaign for a sustained boycott of the broadcasting corporation,” he said.

“If they cannot listen, they must feel.”