Minister: Freedom of speech has responsibility

While encouraging the principles of freedom of speech, Information Minister Selmon Walters said that this must not be an excuse for irresponsible speech on the airwaves.

“Freedom of Speech has a responsibility attached to it,” Minister Walters said.{{more}}

He was addressing the National Broadcasting Corporation’s (NBC) Dinner and Awards ceremony, last Saturday, December 30, at the Tropic Breeze Hotel.

Minister Walters said that announcers must not just use the airwaves to tear people down at random.

He encouraged the NBC staff to see their jobs as more than the pay checks but to embrace the Organization and push for the highest of standards in their performance.

Minister Walters also used the opportunity to encourage the Agency for Public Information (API), whose Director, Jimmy Prince, was in attendance, to focus some programming attention on community outreach in this New Year.

He said that it was important to expose the various talents and diversities within the various neighborhoods in the nation.