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The art of expediency

THERE has been a lot of talk recently about how unethical and irresponsible it was for The Gleaner to sell its front pages to the country's leading telecom companies.

These "wraps" managed to incur the wrath of many journalists who feel that the integrity of the publication should not be sold at any price. Noble sentiments indeed, but what cannot be forgotten is that The Gleaner Company is a corporation and like any corporation it is looking for returns on capital employed and to examine all forms of viable revenue streams.

Marketing and advertising techniques are now very sophisticated. Gone are the days when you just bought advertising space slapped in the art work and left it to the newspaper's advertising department. Clients now require a more interactive involvement and are looking for an edge. Cable & Wireless and Digicel are engaged in a mobile phone war and will use and pay good money to get their respective messages across. This "cellie" culture is a new phenomenon with perhaps a short shelf life. I'm sure the powers that be at The Gleaner thought let us make hay while the sun shines and why not. The sales of newspapers alone cannot form the financial centre column of The Gleaner. Many of the journalists who have registered their displeasure have long-standing careers with a corporation that epitomises financial prudence and has managed to meet its pay roll week in week out. The company, which is over 160 years old has managed to adapt and transmogrify itself into a formidable media house in the Caribbean region by adding various arms to its core business. It has not sold its soul, it has never courted the salacious or for that matter the capricious. Indeed many still regard it as a bastion of conservatism. The demands of business dictate you exploit windows of opportunity. Also The Gleaner has a policy of embracing its employees as family, taking their welfare into consideration rather like Japanese corporations which employ a cradle to the grave ethos. If that noble sentiment is to continue, funds have to come from somewhere.

REQUIEM FOR A DON

Dr. Omar Davies has come under fire for showing public support for and attending the funeral of local "don", Willie Haggart. Of course if one is seen to condone violence, extortion and drug trafficking that would raise a few eyebrows in one or two circles. But a closer examination of Dr. Davies reasons gives a remarkable insight into the psyche of a politician. The Minister of Finance has said that as the don for Arnett Gardens, which falls under his constituency, Willie Haggart's assistance in maintaining order was invaluable and that paying his respects was the very least he could do. Well if that isn't capitulating to the gunmen and gangsters who take the law into their own hands then what is? Dr. Davies' reasoning legitimises garrison politics and in effect spells out in no uncertain terms that the "don daddas" hold an essential role in inner-city communities beyond the reach of conventional law and order. Looking at the press coverage of the funeral, one was instantly reminded of a state funeral, something akin to the funeral held for Princess Diana. That funeral I believe was pronounced a national holiday. Well it's a matter of time before a holiday is declared for the funeral of a don. Politicians and heads of state can never really denounce the gunmen and gangsters - because it just isn't expedient to do so.

ISLAND GRILL FLORIDA OPENING

What a triumph it was, the launch of the country's very own Island Grill restaurant, in Florida, earlier this month. Many of the leading luminaries of the Jamaican business community including Butch Stewart, and Charlie Johnstone where present for a day splendidly put on by Novia MacDonald- White. It goes to show that when one has a good product and runs it well, the concept can be taken from Jamaica to succeed in overseas markets. This latest move gives a lot of encouragement to Jamaican firms considering exporting their services and products and what was particularly heartening was the level of support from fellow Jamaicans. Well done Thalia Lyn and Dennis Hawkins and all the Jamaican best for this latest venture in the United States.

NETWORK LET-DOWN

For the second week now Cable & Useless network has failed its customers. What's the point of a hundred free minutes if you can't make calls. Why engage in a war of words with Digicel, they delivered on what they promised. So far so good. Instead C&WJ should concentrate on getting its network to perform creditably. Customers want service. There you go, that could be C&WJ new slogan and that's for free! It may be losing the battle but it may still be in with a shout for the war. Steve Twomey paid the price for the company's failings and bids us farewell - hard cheese Steve. I Wonder what Digita makes of it all.

Until next week folks.

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