Freedom without fear
Friday 17th February 2012, 10:00AM GMT.
ON THREE occasions during 30 years as a full-time journalist, I have made a conscious decision not to attend public meetings in a professional capacity because of a possibility that I might exercise my right as an ordinary citizen and participate.
The fact that I asked a question of a speaker at only one of them is irrelevant – the important bit is that I disqualified myself from writing the news report on them. That goes some way towards explaining that because I wanted to attend a silent demonstration in support of Dr Peter Counsell last Saturday afternoon, I did not write the report published in Monday’s Guernsey Press.
Not surprisingly, in an environment where some seem to think a ‘divide and rule’ philosophy is the only way of achieving objectives, diversionary squabbling over how many people turned out, and for what, is seen as a legitimate tactic.
Just for the record, I counted well over 100 people gathered outside the Island Hall at about 1.30pm on Saturday. Additionally, and within minutes, I saw others arriving and some coming out of the hall carrying warm drinks. Furthermore, and in accordance with standard journalistic practice – something I can claim to know something about – I consulted another member of the profession who doesn’t even live here and we agreed a figure.
Contrary to what some have claimed, I doubt that I have mixed up the group supporting the doctor and others there to visit a jumble sale and nor did I see anyone trying to persuade those entering the hall to join the support for Dr Counsell.
I saw no coercion, no mob rule, no pressurising and heard no threats, promises or anything else to suggest that this was anything but a most civilised way of declaring one’s point of view.
Much has been made in the few days between then and now of how this was really a demonstration against free speech and the freedom of the press. While I did not agree with extending what was originally a show of support for Dr Counsell to a march – complete with banners and posters – on the offices of Sark Estate Management, I defend to the absolute hilt the right of those who disagree with my view to engage in peaceful protest about anything.
Press freedom is fundamental to people like me but I firmly believe that there is a greater freedom than that which is a more important human right – and that is the freedom to live without fear.
Unless people are allowed to live their lives without the fear of retribution or vilification – no matter what shape or form it takes – then so-called freedom of expression and speech is meaningless.
Generally speaking, many people in Sark do not live with freedom from fear and for evidence I look no further than the comments made to me by Sarkees and other residents about why they chose not to attend the show of support for Dr Counsell.
Despite me stating all that with about as much clarity as I can muster, I have no doubt that some will choose to place a different interpretation on these views, probably declaring that I am a feudal fundamentalist, whatever that might be when it’s out on its own on a wet Wednesday without a minder.
While Saturday’s show of support for Dr Counsell is unlikely to make him change his mind – and who can blame him, for in his shoes, practising in any other Channel Island would probably double his income if consultation fees are anything to go by – it did show a considerable amount of antipathy towards his critics.
*
On a happier note – or two of them to be precise – the Sark School Film Festival and Oscar presentation evening was an outstanding success and congratulations to all those involved, both pupils and adults.
Coincidentally, a small team from Tiger Aspect Productions was in Sark that day obtaining material they hoped would persuade the BBC to feature Sark in a forthcoming series of the popular An Island Parish.
We certainly need that sort of positive publicity right now.
* The email address for comment is fallesark@sark.net.
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Immeasurably huge respect to Phil.
If the Barclays really wanted to bring this sorry episode to a positive close, they would ask Phil to take over the SNL – with the same extravagent budget – and brief him to do so for the good of Sark without fear or favour, trusting to his judgement.
Whilst also promising, of course, that any KD, Donnelly and Wiseman contribution would have to pass Phil’s editorial scrutiny and that no SEM pressure would be involved.
And do it before the TV crew returns, eh?
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If everyone at Sark is sensible as Mr Falle, there would be no bad feeling. I was very surprised when Mr Delaney’s report is so rude to him.
(Ian D – thank you I look forward to my free drink at the Mermaid.)
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Absolutely spot on.
Perhaps the politics do need to change in Sark but the way the SNL report on it are atrocious.
Freedom from fear? unfortunately not.
If any of the contributor’s of the SNL had any journalistic worth then they would already conduct themselves in the fitting manner. But they don’t. They have an agenda to create a fear culture, get all the sarkees in a tizz then come swooping down wearing a great big cape with a ‘B’ insignia.
Not exactly going to plan is it?
Where’s Devil’s_Advocate with his/her fine tooth ivory comb?
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I just read this quoted elsewhere – an unattributed aphorism that seems rather appropriate.
“Truth is but a barren rock.
Sprinkle thereon the soil of understanding,
And plant therein the seeds of fellowship.”
Aww… the Sark tourist memento industry could very usefully get that knocked out on a plaque as the island motto. Surprisingly, you will not be able to find it posted online anywhere, so I claim it for Sark!
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A Plagiarist, obviously. Duurr…
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It is my hope that Dr Counsell will change his mind and stay in Sark. Clearly he has a huge amount of support from the people of Sark and he clearly knows as we all do that his professional conduct is without question and that he has, I believe, the support of the authorities. Accordingly, I do not understand his decision to leave the island.
It is clear that there is a general belief that the residents of Brecqhou wish to take over the running of the island of Sark. Whether that is factually true or not is anyone’s guess, but I do hope that those in fear of such an idea will take comfort in teh fact that the laws of Sark are sufficient enough to prevent such a takeover, by neighbouring islanders or anyone else.
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But what is stopping them from buying up Sark piece by piece until they get what they want? This would be more effective than any propaganda.
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I see your point Spartacus. Is it correct to suppose that people in Sark can sell their land and property to whomever they like (and do so)? Can no law be enacted or introduced in Sark to limit the amount of land any one entity or person can purchase? For instance, in commercial property lease transactions where a leaseholder wishes to sell/assign his lease over to someone else, permission is usually sought from the Landlord, who does checks on the proposed new leaseholder (to make sure they can afford the rent etc) before agreeing the sale. Couldn’t the Sark government introduce a similar system for the sale and purchase of land? At the end of the day the sale of land and to whom it is sold is very much in the hands of the Sark people themselves.
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Until recently you couldn’t buy a tenement on Sark without the Seigneur’s congé (agreement or permission).
This was reformed in 2008 following pressure from guess who?
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Technically, Sark could introduce a compulsory purchase law. Delaney accuses Beaumont of acting like Mugabe, so go the whole hog, eh? Nothing to lose.
Let’s hope the Privy Council is too busy and distracted by adventures in teh Middle East to notice.
The practical reason that most countries do not tend to do this is that is scares off inward investers. Which in Sark’s case would be a good result.
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Phil,
I would never call you a feudal fundamentalist, knowing you for as many years as I have. I have the greatest respect for you, Would you, go through the lastest SNL as an investigative journalist and say what is fair comment and what is not and put it in the GP. In my old mind, there are some comparisions, no matter what the fundamentalist do say.
There has to be an independant level voice, and like it or not you do have the ear of the people for being level headed. There are several other claims within the SNL that need to be brought out in the open, ie The garden trust, the missing £50,000 etc, you know what I mean. I apologise for asking this in an anomymous manner but as you know the walls have ears!
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Very well written. The voice of truth and reason, and even possible reconciliation.
Beyond the noise of hysteria, paranoia and conspiracy theories it is worth remembering 10 facts about the Sark Newsletter;
1. It is not written on Sark
2. It does not contain news
3. It is not a letter
4. It is junk mail, delivered unsolicited
5. It is propaganda
6. It represents the minority views of one large, very wealthy commercial entity
7. It does NOT represent the majority views of the Sark community
8. It is written in desperation following repeated failures via the ballot box
9. It shouts & screams, in shock & awe
10. It ignores hearts & minds
Solution: just say “NO!” and return to sender.
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Sarkdog,
Eeerm, just a few points,
1. IT IS WRITTERN on SARK, you’ve got to love the “Word” application on most computers.It may be printed elsewhere!
2.We don’t know if a majority or minority support it as no one has ever asked for our point of view.
3. It does get to hearts and minds, either in a negitive or positive way, some people agree but keep quiet, some people disagree and protest.
4. Unbiased? No, I wont say it is. However, it does uncover alot of things that we wouldn’t normally hear about or be given the oppotunity to discuss, (all be it privately).
5.Propaganda? Yes it most certainly is, however, compared to what is dished out by the other side, it’s slightly more trust worthy than the rubbish they expect us to believe.
6. Minority View? Well, have alook on the other foot. The Island is controlled by a very small minority, Dictating their view on to the rest of us, why is it so different from the SNL\SEM? Does anyone actually disagree from that Island’s minority view, again, no one knows because no one is allowed to question it!
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Sprotley.
You’ve fallen for the propaganda trap and brought the “lies”, sorry… expressions of opinion.
Why has the SEM charm offensive not worked via the ballot box?
If all else fails throw loadsa money at it, add some angry words and mention the Nazis.
If that doesn’t work just repeat the same old tired tosh over and over again, and get shouty about it.
Desperate measures by desperate people.
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And another thing. Just remember that this is all about TAX. Pure & simple.
If Sark became part of Guernsey, the BVI would become very popular with certain residents.
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My view is, if they aren’t transparent and accountable to everybody, them get rid of the bloody lot! Sark has to remain independant, thats another mistake secretly allowing guernsey to undermind us and impose their laws on us. yes, we want investers, but if they are shady, let Alderney enjoy their company!
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“Legit” mostly virtual companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon and eBay all operate very “creative” tax avoidance schemes around the EU.
It seems MOST remiss of the CI to fail to design attractive solutions for them. It’s almost as if there is a gun being held to the CI head by the EU.
Wake up Sark?
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Sprotley
Sark is run by an elected council. The SNL and its editor is funded by money that originates from BVI company (SEM Ltd).
Are you seriously suggesting the SNL has any moral authority in these circumstances – even before you take into account the woefully unpleasant nature of its propaganda content?
As to your own personal point of view, in every democracy everywhere there are dissenters who don’t want to understand what democracy means, and refuse to accept that losing elections means you don’t get to call the shots. But only in a few banana republics would the losers immediately close down all the businesses and put all the workers on the streets.
Choose your alignments carefully. If you believe that there are good and reasonable grounds to oppose the present actions of Chief Pleas, you can do this without giving comfort to the idiotic SNL – any association with which must inevitably devalue your opinion and call your judgement into question, in the majority of Sark people. Be your own man, not Kevin Delaney’s.
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eerm Jenny,
When the top table lets the elected get on and do their job without interference, then maybe we can call it an elected council.
as I have said in previous posts, I have absolutely no alignments with the SNL, or for that matter SEM. I have a completely independant view of the whole matter,
if several people (as we have already seen) agree with some of my threads, then surely I am raising a valid point, where there are answers needed
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Sprot, Jenny is perfectly correct. The balance of comment here is that you ARE regarded as sharing the generally undemocratic and vexatious viewpoint of the SNL and its backers.
Ao if you don’t like the system, and you believe you have enough supporters to chalenge the present Chief Pleas – then set up a party to do it. If you are correct, you should get a lot of people who also want influence on change without the SNL/SEM involved, at your first public meeting.
You could call it the “Disestablishmentarianism Party”
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sprotley! I can’t believe how stupid you make yourself sound. I was going to go on but I just can’t be asked ……..
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Having started the very very long task of reading every back-issue of the SNL to gain some knowledge and understanding of what it’s all about, my initial judgment is that it calls into question and raises numerous issues that seem generally not unreasonable to question and raise. The WAY it is written, however is quite provocative and the forcefulness of it gets in the way of the issues just as much as the silcence of response prevents issues being resolved.
I think point 6)of Sprotley’s comment above is very valid indeed. The island has an Establishment in the form of the Seigneur, Seneschal etc, which in itself is neither hear nor there (I’m all for tradition). However, there are now only 28 islanders in Chief Pleas instead of 40 which makes me wonder whether the feudal form of government wasn’t slightly more democratic – being elected by chance for office is no more democratic than being by chance a righful land owner.
There is war going on between Sarks representatives and Brecqhou’s representives and the people of Sark are caught up in the middle of it all…….as is the usual case in a war.
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Jack: well done for being so conscientious! I’m surprised you survived that experience, maybe you had the assistance of Johnnie Walker or Jack Daniels?
The SNL relies heavily on the basic propaganda innuendo concept of “where there is smoke…” one fact you will not have read and that you need to be reminded of since it sets the entire context for the present shambles is that Delaney fired everyone the day after his employers’ wish list of candidates lost the first election, and said that Sark was committing “commercial suicide”. Everything since suggest that the SEM commercial interest is the prime driver – and the contrivance of finding ways to justify the posh-guest shuttle via helicopter is typical.
Never mind the “Establishment”, following that stream of invective and hysterical personal abuse, what sensible person would now want to risk sticking their head above the Sark parapet while the island is being sprayed with bile bullets from the SEM office..? So then, bullet-ridden hats off to Phil Falle – who would probably have no trouble at all being democratically elected as the mediator to sort all this out. Poor Phil!
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That’s another valuable contribution from Phil on the day that the SNL is being sent to a stream of international dignitaries (again) to warn them that the Seigneur is about to invade Poland.
I would imagine most observers would regard the notion that a community of 600 comes as close as it does to compliance with the bonkers process that has brought bureaucracy-laden Europe to its knees, as remarkable.
Curiously, Delaney left the landlady off the list. Maybe he’s worried that in the current mood, his masters’ “Ks” could be jeopardised if she looks too closely at the SEM/SNL shenanigans?
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please note, invasion of Poland cancelled, diesel prices on the mainland for the tractor invasion force makes poland too far to be ecomonically viable, How about Cherbourg? should just about be affordable on a tank full, is Gav around?
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Well then, well just have to invade the establishments with Polish staff. We can manage that on bikes, right?
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Jack Mitchell
I totally see where you are coming from and what you are getting at. There are a lot of issues that need to be bought out into the open and away from behind closed doors.
A lot of residents would also love to have them answered but for reasons of their employment, housing, etc they cannot openly ask the questions that SNL asks. Long may they ask the questions as no one likes an elite group deciding for them how they should live, why and when as happens at present.
Getting on to C.P’s though is also very difficult as an Independant and once there you are sidelined anyway so basically a wasted vote.
However, the way that the SNL goes about it’s rhetoric is totally self destructive.
A straight forward news letter asking straight questions on matters they believe are of interest to all islanders capable of independant thought is a great way of getting people to be active.
It is the way that the paper is written and the way it puts items up for discussion that is so confontational. A quieter more reader friendly format, asking exactly the same questions and putting forward the same relevant issues would go a long way to getting people to openly discuss the issues and problems faced by residents and maybe a more harmonious way of showing free speech in action.
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O.J.
Brilliant, wish I had your art of expression, exactly what I’ve been trying to say.
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Old Jay is broadly correct, But the context here is the need to deal with a situation that has lead to the doctor deciding he’s had enough of being caught in the crossfire. Neither side is going to “surrender”.
The Establishment privately acknowledges it would love to hold more open debates along the lines described, but the relentless barrage from the SNL prevents anyone from stepping up to the plate.
So I broadly agree with the sentiments for more discussion and debate, but at no time can you afford to give a hint of any sympathy for any aspect of the way that SNL are running the propaganda agenda. There is no possible gain from giving any way; ask Neville Chamberlain.
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Jenny is correct. A well understood propaganda tactic is to surround a couple of points with popular appeal (and maybe a grain of truth) with a bunch of hysterical ravings, and then when the notionally accurate remarks turn have some basis in actuality – the presumption is that the whole diatribe “must be true”.
This is classic Goebbles, and we see from the latest SNL that Delaney is plainly a student of the 3rd Reich, so he probably read the manual.
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The use of a newsletter of any sort on Sark to express any sort of opinion has probably been tainted for a long time. Anyway, the “disembodiment” of print is unnecessary on Sark – it’s one of the benefits of such a small and accessible community.
A discussion in the street that migrates to a bar/caff and that ends up in Chief Pleas is the way to go.
A battle of the “newsletters” ends up in dangerously hard drawn lines and the sort of fiasco we have been subjected to for too long already.
Whatever, a subset of CP needs to meet more often than quarterly. This may create more work for some, but maybe some GP&A sessions can be made more accessible to the public?
What does Phil reckon?
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The one thing to come out of all this, apart from the support for Dr Counsell and the outrage at the SNL, is the respect for Mr Falle. Not that this is head sewlling exercise.
Something else. GB may be correct. Having see seen SEM in action(2008 and all that, for nothing has changed) and it’s resoning in the SNL. The CP seems the way to go.
However, Sprotley, Old Jay, GB, Jenny for example. A third way may be emerging. Perhaps a middle ground is appearing. An independent way. a way for the People of Sark. Not the old way. Or the big money way. Perhaps they are not the only ones.
Exciting times indeed. The only qusetion. Who will step forward first into no-mans land with the Sark flag aloft shouting “Enough, this is OUR Island now. You WILL listen to us”?
Or pehaps not.
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mmh, a velvet rebellion, lets see what happens at the the next election but if we are going to do, we need to get organised. They don’t have to listen to us, but we do have the right to be heard!… I’m actually suprised Reg hasn’t come through the door unannounced as it is!
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Sprotley,
The next Election should be very interesting. Organization may be the answer. There may be more support than you think. You never know.
Angus makes a good point. The youth is the futre. Do they hand Sark down to the next generation. Or hand it over to big business? Theirs will be the choice.
As thing stand though. It seems to me that with every issue of the SNL, the SEM plays right into hands of the CP.
The Dr/Helipad is not the SNL’s only campaign. Sark people have good memories. It might be interseting to see how many times they can shoot themselves in the foot before the next election.
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The SNL/SEM posture seems the very definition of intransigent. CP is paralysed by (inter alia) the spectre of yet another vexatious but hugely expensive lawsuit threatened by you-know-who.
What is needed is a forum that can engage the younger generation of Sark in a dialogue about its/their future; and like it or not, whilst simply sorting out the traditional issues of freight and fishing, the big opportunity is in “offshore services” of one sort or another but not the sort that Guernsey can dictate (and just how did that happen anyway?)
The SEM stranglehold on hospitality is clearly unhealthy given the unnerving “sack and shut” outburst of its MD, and by all accounts, even the famous £9.95 carvery hasn’t rocked the world of tourism; and the wine project is not looking too promising. However, until SEM is lead by someone that the island can safely work with, we’ll have to look at a future without assuming anything rational is coming from that quarter. Although if the SEM did have a sudden fit of sense, and was to be lead by someone who was not carrying on a vicarious and increasingly absurd and damaging feud, who knows what enlightenment might be possible?
It may be that the traditional transport arrangements of the island do need to be looked at. But Sark’s unique difference is plainly a large part of its timeless charm for all the visitors and the majority of the permanent residents – so we meddle at our own risk. One option is to tough it out with Guernsey and create another Monaco – the first one now being full. Imagine what property would then be worth?
Maybe the arrival for Sark visitors could be made rather more of an experience. How about a hovercraft landing on Dixcart beach, then a scenic rack and pinion railway ride to the top at Stocks? Maybe a used ride could be purchased from a Disneyworld somewhere, complete with grottos, dwarves and fairies? That would also please those Celebs that don’t fancy running the nosey gauntlet of the harbour hill mob, or being parted from their luggage at any time. And maybe the Noddy-car style carriages could disengage at the top, and trundle on under battery power to the SEM destination of choice.
On a more serious note, there are some key issues like getting business-class power and communications supplies via undersea cables – but at £7-10m, who is going to invest? Maybe next time a cable goes past Guernsey? It would probably be a fraction of the cost to also stop off at Sark, but still be several times an annual budget, with considerable running costs – so it would have to be thought through very carefully indeed. Perhaps as part of some deal around the proposed renewable energy projects?
That sort of money really could be raised by a nice gentle tax on residents’ global assets in excess of £100m, if those likely be affected worked out that a knee-jerk legal challenge could cots them as much, with the probability that they would lose anyway.
Overall though, the younger generation needs to understand that if the majority of islanders are there for the “peace, quiet and obscurity” reasons in an increasingly insane and arbitrary world, Sark is unlikely to want to make and decisions that will make more like that world. So if that doesn’t suit some residents, then – with the best will in the world, despite what you might imagine, democracy generally means the will of the majority – there is a boat leaving at various times throughout the day*, and most Sark residents still enjoy a choice of places to go that is the envy of most of the world.
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Argus,
You make some fine points, in some areas. There are alot of people on the island under the age of 55, I’m sure they don’t want to see a lot of older ex holiday makers coming to the Island just to retire. This seems to be happening on a lot more. Local people should be able to stay within their community, not forced off because of lack of housing.
I agree, that a taxation on global assets would be a good thing to raise capital for the community, just a shame it hasn’t happened already.
But to the major issue on all of your points, let the people decide, put it to the vote!
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This is indeed where the debate should be moving. But unless you want to propose a life of forelock-tugging servitude and bee keeping that is perfectly in line with SEM fairyland themepark agenda, you are likely to be beaten up by the SNL, for being a feudal fundamentalist.
The “major issue” has been put to a vote, and as I keep saying, the trouble with most delegate democracy is that you can’t just keep on voting until you get the answer you want – or hold a gun to the head of an entire community as Delaney did in 2008.
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