In past editions, I
have written a lot about the duty of all public institutions to provide the
public with the right information and for the media’s right to access official
information to be respected.
When this is not the
case, information is often prone to misinterpretation when it is not correctly
adequately disseminated. It often finds
its way into the public domain through the rumour mill and frequently results
in promoting restiveness among people.
LSH always try to
officially verify any information before we publish it. We feel it is the onus is
on the concerned authorities to confirm or deny the information we seek. As
always we will also let our readers know that we have tried our utmost to
contact those concerned with any story we print.
Since two weeks now LSH
has written to the National Assembly (SNA) with regards to the status of the
elected member of St Louis, Herbert Hoareau. It is obvious that Mr. Hoareau has
been absent from a number of sittings.
We’ve also inquired
about the Speaker, who was notably absent from the Legislature during the week
of 22nd to 26th October. As a matter of fact, it was Deputy Speaker
Andre Pool who officially opened the COMESA workshop on the Role of
Parliamentarians in the Fight against War Economies held at the Coral Strand
Hotel on the 22nd October.
Hon. Pool also presided over the Legislative session on the 23rd.
Since the SNA has made no
public announcement on his absence, LSH decided to inquire about his movement.
Our email was never acknowledged as if the information was none of our
business.
However, LSH is of the
opinion that since SNA is supposed to represent the people, the institution has
the responsibility to be open and transparent to the public through the media
on the whereabouts of their representatives.
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