Forced Sterilization in America and Population Control

 During 1977 Dr. R.T. Ravenholt, director of the United States Agency for International Development (office for population control), said that the United States hoped to sterilize 25 per cent of the world's roughly 570 million fertile women. Ravenholt linked such control measures to the "...normal operation of U.S. commercial interests around the world." These statements were published in a news story in the St. Louis Dispatch. 

Question by Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Article by Trinbagonian editor

Topic: What is the role of State Media in a democratic Nation?

 

Within a democratic nation it is the mandate of the government and by extension every governmental organization to serve the collective interest of the people. Throughout the world and particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, we have seen the introduction of numerous private media companies, all contributing to public awareness but most importantly to shaping public sentiment and opinion with respect to domestic and international issues. These companies, although claiming to abide by the ethical statutes of media reporting and television broadcasting, do not only exercise the freedom to promote their own agenda (whatever it may be) but also to make a profit. The Media Houses of today depend very much upon advertisement revenues to the extent of which content is sometimes affected; never should this be the case with State Media. Furthermore, State Media is to be free from political interference of any kind; it is to be ensured that the collective interest of the people is placed before the narrow individual interest of politicians and other influential groups.

    Contrary to the views of many, the primary goal of State Media is to create a level of awareness throughout the public with regards to government policies and to investigate and report matters objectively. It is to ensure as its main priority the promotion of its nation's culture above all else. Its agenda should consist of seeking the interest of the collective society by providing a forum for public discussion. A State Media Company's main goal should not be the generation of profit; if such is the case, its true purpose is not being fulfilled.

    It was stated by one of the 'founding fathers' of the United States and former President Thomas Jefferson that "experiences hath shown, that even under the best forms (of government) those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." We are afforded within a democracy the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, it is necessary that such rights be fully utilized to ensure that Jefferson's statement does not in any way come to fruition. The role of both private and State Media is critical to ensuring that democracy is protected. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." Elected officials are only the representatives of the people and it is the responsibility of the Media in this present age to be the guardian of public interest by ensuring that government officials are kept in check and faithfully adhere to their duties in office. Democracy requires the active participation of the public and the Media contributes to creating an informed and knowledgeable society equipped to make enlightened decisions.

    However, some have argued that the presence of the State within the Media industry is obstructive and contributes little to democracy mainly because political interference may be too great. Nevertheless, the State consisting of the elected representatives of the society must have a stake within such an industry for the purpose of ensuring that the people themselves have a stake. As is the case within liberal capitalist societies multi-national media corporations (which hold great influence) have little obligation to the public, as one author puts it 'they answer solely to the gods of profit and loss' therefore, it is of paramount importance that through State Media the people of the nation are given a voice.

    Within a democratic nation the State does not hold a monopoly over media operations (as in the case of totalitarian regimes) but rather becomes a competitor within the industry. With the freedom of the press being a fundamental characteristic of a democratic nation the State assumes the role of a competitor within an industry where competition is necessary. State Media's role is therefore not only to articulate government policies but to also function as a 'watchdog', not only against political corruption but anything that proves a threat to the well-being of society. An example of such is natural disaster. Nobel Prize recipient Amartya Sen proclaims that "A free press and the practice of democracy contribute greatly to bringing out information that can have an enormous impact on policies for famine prevention…a free press and an active political opposition constitute the best early-warning system a country threatened by famine could have."

    Within a democratic nation where the government has limited control over the flow of information, State Media is supposed to contribute to the democratic process. The people are to be constantly informed of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. State Media is to provide an avenue for improved relations between the government and the public thus contributing to a greater understanding of one's place within his/her country.

    With Trinidad and Tobago as an example, it is clear that State participation in the economy and various industries have been viewed as a safeguard against foreign and private domination. Dr. Eric Williams, considered to be the 'Father' of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, propounds in his writings the need for State participation in the economy in order to protect national interest. He is quoted as stating, "The PNM perspectives reject both liberal capitalism (with its concomitant of penetration and take-over of the economy by multi-national corporations) and the communist organization of the economy and the society. Instead, we follow the pattern…of state participation in the economy to the extent of 51 percent in particular enterprises, to ensure that decision making remains in local hands." Such a policy laid out by Dr. Williams gives the reason for the presence of State Media and an explanation of its role. The role of State Media in general would be to promote and protect national interest; which includes the history, culture and mores of the society.

    Within a democratic nation the role of State Media is sometimes negatively construed by those who support the prominence of private enterprise within the economy. However, State presence within the economy and various industries such as the Media industry is simply the manifestation of a government's commitment to its people, the expression of its desire to contribute to the democratic process by educating, informing and communicating with the public, thus ensuring that the citizenry body is fully equipped to make informed and knowledgeable decisions that would have great impact upon the direction of the nation.

        

Quote of the WEEK!

Starve your doubts to death!

Corruption on both sides of the fence!

Mary King; "at the 'Hart' of the Matter"

After the ridiculous Calder Hart scandal that has not only left the Trinbagonian people with an open wound (due to the government's inability to apprehend the criminal) but also a much deprived treasury, it has become evident that the individuals within this present government have learned nothing. Minister Mary King in her answers given when interviewed by the Sunday Express showed her shameful and almost comical ignorance to the law of the land with respect to integrity in public life. When asked by the Sunday Express why she didn't declare her interest with respect to the awarding of a $100,000 contract to a company owned by her family (and which she holds the position of Corporate Secretary) in order to prevent a conflict of interest, she answered: "No. I did not think it was necessary. I could have biased them one way or the other. So I thought the safest thing to do is to do nothing." One must be surprised at her ignorance for it is stated in The Integrity in Public Life Act that "a conflict of interest is deemed to arise if a person in public life or any person exercising a public function were to make or participate in the making of a decision in the execution of his office, and at the time knows or have reasonably to have known that in the making of the decision, there is an opportunity, either directly or indirectly, to further his private interests or that of a member of his family or any other person."

    Prominent and influential individuals and groups are already calling for the resignation of Ms. King, but we Trinbagonian people should not settle for such a petty excuse of justice, rather we should insist that this Minister be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as in the same manner as that which should have been done to Calder Hart a long time ago. An administration which owes much of their success in the past elections to the dishonesty of Calder Hart and the corruption of the PNM should be ashamed that such similarities between them and the past government could be identified.

    It is becoming more evident that as a nation Trinidad and Tobago is not progressing, in fact, we are rapidly catapulting backwards. With such actions on the part of Ministers how can we move forward? With the drive to secularization and a warped concept of morality taking hold of our country (ironically spear-headed by Ms. King herself within her capacity as Gender Affairs Minister) it is necessary that we go back to basics! I would advise every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and most in particular students (being a secondary school student myself) to go to the Red House and read the Affirmation Of The People. We must ensure to hold our elected officials "feet to the fire," if not, we will get bad government. It's simply human nature.

Mikhail E.D. Byng

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