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Axe not what you can do....

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SmokingGun

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Axe not what you can do....

« on: March 26, 2008, 10:40:50 AM »

Government has axed its newspaper subscriptions to The Royal Gazette in what it describes as a "cost savings measure".
- From the RG

However, the move has led some to question whether it is the beginning of a drive to muzzle the freedom of the press by draining this newspaper's finances.

Last night, a press release stated Government spent almost $800,000 on subscriptions and advertising in the print media during the last fiscal year, of which $42,000 went on newspaper subscriptions.

The release also said it would be reducing public spending by cutting back on Government travel and its vehicle fleet, but did not say how much it expected to save in those areas."

Get on your bike Burch, and the rest of you scally-wags.

So the Government spends $800,000 on advertising and $42k of it being on subscriptions. Hmmmm.... at that rate as a proffessional courtesy I'd be sending free newspapers over to the government offices anyway. Wink


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Angel

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2008, 01:31:02 PM »

Hmmm...stay tuned for Government owned and operated Newspaper??


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J-Pat

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2008, 03:51:57 PM »

Alternatively, a ban on ALL media and press....


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Everything is always ok in the end - if it's not ok, then it's not the end!

Grats

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2008, 06:43:04 PM »

As I improperly ranted on another topic... Govt's budget is $1.1 Billion and they are keen to save a whopping $42k.

Spending $3,000,000 a day and saving $115 a day by cutting subscriptions. Woo hoo!

We have incomplete financials and audits from how many ministries and the Govt is busy looking for savings of $42k? Seriously?

If it walks like and duck and smells like a duck...

I saw this coming.

This is what's coming next, probably...

The Govt is busy spending taxpayer's money to try to figure out how to bring down the Royal Gazette.

Note the RG is paid for work permits applications that need to be advertised for 3 days etc. I bet Immigration (Burch) figures out a way that employers no longer need to advertise in the Gazette, in order to further cripple them financially.

It's not just subscriptions. Some ministries already do not advertise in the RG, like Burch has declared publicly. Contracts are being honoured until year-end, and after that...?? No more advertising in the RG by Govt??

This is our only daily paper which has been around since the 1800s.

I wonder what International Business is thinking of the Govt dimentia?

We have a credit crisis, US recession, out of control inflation, an economy in shambles and our Govt is looking for $42,000 in savings, and then proudly making the announcement to the public.

You want to impress the taxpayer with cost cuts. MPs can start with their salaries. How about paying part-time minister for part-time work ie. if you're already employed full time (Paula Cox and Randy Horton) then don't take another full time salary from the tax payer.

$42K is not MATERIAL savings by any stretch of the imagination. It only creates a cloud of BS around the real reasons why they are punishing the Royal Gazette.

Unbelievable...

There's more coming... This is just the beginning...


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SmokingGun

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2008, 07:12:49 PM »

Come on guys.... what do you expect when you have a guy running three or more ministries and he's never been voted in? He's the hatchet man. That's it.

Hey Piglet - does the Royal Gazette count as an example of the government going after the white establishment? Just wondering.... Roll Eyes

BTW - Grats, about the ducks. You don't actually have to smell them ya know.... Wink


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Cowpolly

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2008, 07:40:59 PM »

Quote

Hmmm...stay tuned for Government owned and operated Newspaper??

You're kidding right? You think the government supporters can actually read? Hell, I'd ask them to show me their hands just to make sure they really do have opposable thumbs.


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SmokingGun

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2008, 07:49:23 PM »

Dude - Not necessary to be quite so obnoxious is it? Reading may be an issue in Bermuda but the second comment doesn't speak much for you. Undecided


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Grats

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2008, 09:34:34 PM »

Quote from: SmokingGun on March 26, 2008, 07:12:49 PM

BTW - Grats, about the ducks. You don't actually have to smell them ya know.... Wink

Smokes - the ducks in my hood don't talk, they just stink... Wink


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Lost in Flatts

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2008, 05:47:11 AM »

The bit I love is when they say, cutting RG subs has saved $42k! Woohoo

6 months down the line - Bermuda needs a government run, daily newspaper for the people. This will only cost the taxpayers $40m a year, and everyone will get the Christmas, Heroes Day and Easter issue free.


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LBT

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2008, 05:48:40 AM »

Now the RG has nothing to fear from OUR Gu'mint... so they can start doing some REAL investigative reporting on our Gu'mint's shenanigans. This latest move against the RG is so very obviously vindictive... extremely childish... amateurish... incompetent ('they' don't get the Law of Unintended Consequences)... and totally nuts. Typical of the Brownites, I'd say. Lips Sealed


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Grats

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2008, 07:32:21 AM »

Burch was just on Hott with Thaao talking about the axing of RG subscriptions AND advertising. So I stand corrected, they are aiming for a savings of $840,000 annually from the RG. (not $42,000 which is just subscriptions).

Interesting they cannot tell you how much they plan to save on travel or transport, just saying that will be trimmed back. But they know EXACTLY what they will be saving from the Royal Gazette... Hmmmm...

I wonder what study they conducted that found the RG to have less penetration that other media forms in Bermuda.

And the kicker I was waiting for...

Burch is also looking for a way divert employers having to pay to advertise for work permits in the RG for 3 days. That's presently part of Immigration protocol that WILL change under Burch, he said. He said on the air this morning, "I'm not guaranteeing anyone any income", when discussing the topic.

Burch then goes on to trash the RG and comparing it to the "Enquirer". Saying RG is not going to present their position in a fair and balanced way & they have more important things on their agenda than PATI. And questioning why "only under this Govt, do they need access to information?"

Watch this space...


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Angel

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2008, 08:34:09 AM »

Quote from: Grats on March 27, 2008, 07:32:21 AM

Burch then goes on to trash the RG and comparing it to the "Enquirer". Saying RG is not going to present their position in a fair and balanced way & they have more important things on their agenda than PATI. And questioning why "only under this Govt, do they need access to information?"

Now, I thought he said he agreed with this. Which is it Burch? And it's the "People of Bermuda" who want this, not just the RG. He really needs some help in figuring out his position on this. May I suggest a talk with Alex Scott.


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Blankman

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2008, 10:30:02 AM »

Quote from: UmustBkidding on March 27, 2008, 05:48:40 AM

Now the RG has nothing to fear from OUR Gu'mint...

The real hammer that the Government has is called Work Permits. Word is that the Gazette is already being given serious grief by Immigration and everyone expects it to get worse.

Quote

so they can start doing some REAL investigative reporting on our Gu'mint's shenanigans.

Given that Burch has compared them to the Enquirer it would be only fitting if the Gazette started reporting things the way overseas papers would. To date they've been extremely gentle in their handling of MP's on both sides of the house. In most of this world we'd see headlines regarding extra-marital affairs, sexual orientation, and so forth.

I wouldn't expect them to let the UBP off lightly but MP's on both sides of the house are fair game. And should be.


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SmokingGun

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Re: Axe not what you can do....

« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2008, 11:06:02 AM »

"In most of this world we'd see headlines regarding extra-marital affairs, sexual orientation, and so forth."

Hmmmm.... are you suggesting Burch might be a Spitzer? Wink