THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM deeply concerned about a news broadcast aired a week or two ago on TVJ's Prime Time News. A witness in Westmoreland reported what he saw with regard to police brutality. His face was not properly made obscure in the newscast and still the piece was shown to the 'over one million eyes' that watch the station, myself included.
I have waited, but have heard no apology for the gross negligence which may or may not cost the man his life. Who did the 'proof viewing'? Was there no editor? The whole purpose of distorting his face was lost. I believe that the security intended was compromised. Whether the issue is one of nonchalance, incompetence or a lack of regard for fellow citizens, I feel violated.
Days later the news carried a follow-up, bringing Amnesty International into the picture and mentioning the man whose identity was now known by the police (if I am not mistaken). There should of course be no shock, as a stranger would probably be able to pick him out from a line-up. His safety is now compromised.
Human rights? Where is the basic decency? Things like this leave Jamaicans unpatriotic and divided. Where there is no corruption, there is apparently incompetence and lack of regard to do the trick of destroying our country. We deserve an apology at the very least, because I no longer feel secure that our nation's best interest is even a concern to the media, or that the mechanisms set up to protect us are being used properly. We need to feel secure.
I am etc,
KEISHA-ANN MULLINGS
shadow_sakura@hotmail.com
Kingston 6
Via Go-Jamaica
