PM Barrow Bids Farewell to the Media

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow formally bade adieu to the media on Saturday ahead of his retirement to private life on Wednesday.  For the past twelve years, we have had a professional relationship with the prime minister and his government and admittedly, at times it has gotten a bit tense.  During his weekend press conference, the PM took time out to acknowledge the role of the media and the strides we have made towards holding government and public officials accountable.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I am convinced that I leave our Belizean democracy stronger than I found it and I can think of several reasons for making that case, but I will highlight just two.  One is the absolute strength, the searching journalism of Belize’s press corps, the fearless manner in which you have confronted politicians of all stripes.  You have shone a light on politics and politicians and there are times when you have done so in a manner that I didn’t think comported entirely with fair play, but when everything is added up in the balance there is no doubt that the role you have played has become super sized over these last twelve years and that it is a role that has contributed immensely to the maturing of democracy in this great country of ours, I thank you.”