Barrow says the media is key to his rebuilding plans

While we are not sure how the Opposition will take to the new legislative arrangements, U.D.P. Leader Dean Barrow has made it clear that he will be relying on the media to keep the nation informed regarding his party’s activities. He made his remarks on Thursday night’s “One On One” with Stuart Leslie.

Dean Barrow, Leader, U.D.P.

“There is now in Belize an active, feisty, relentless, media presence. When Mr. Goldson was alone in the House of Representatives his voice, more often than not, could not even be heard. At the time the only means of national dissemination was the radio station – government owned – and from which Mr. Goldson was pretty much shut out. I venture to say that we in the U.D.P., after this defeat and with only three members in the House, have received almost more coverage than the government in the week or so that’s elapsed since the elections. And you can’t get any more concrete example of what I mean. There is a media presence in this country that simply will not allow any government to stifle any Opposition.”

Barrow also said that while he is in favor of major campaign finance reforms, he realistically does not see how a workable system of monitoring political contributions could be implemented.