Minister, priest knock ‘bad’ news

Both the media and the public’s desire for “bad news”came under heavy fire from Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes and Father Allan Ventour as they spoke at the 90th Anniversary celebration of the Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago. The celebration was held yesterday morning at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Independence Square. In addition to Girl Guides, Girl Scouts, Brownies and numerous enthusiastic parents, the wife of President George Maxwell Richards, and Girl Guides patron, Jean Ramjohn-Richards; and former first lady Zalayhar Hassanali were also in attendance. After praising the Guides for their efforts, Boynes said that  the media’s perception of young people was one of lacking social skills, outrageous dressing and non-conformity.

He said that this clouded the public’s view, causing them not to give appropriate recognition to young people for their many achievements in sport and other aspects of life. Fr Ventour elaborated on the view while he was delivering the reflection on a prior scripture reading. “There are a lot of good things happening but we only hear bad news! This society is attracted by sad, bad news!” declared Fr Ventour. He then drew reference to both local and international examples of the media’s neglect of good news for the sake of negative issues. Fr Ventor continued: “Remember that you are part of the good, but the good doesn’t reach the newspapers. Let corruption take place amongst you and everybody will print it!” The congregation was later treated to a well received rendition of “Heal the World” by the National Girl Guides Choir and a dance performance by the Port of Spain Girl Guides to the sound of “To God be the Glory”. The group then marched, unhindered by rain, to the Brian Lara Promenade bearing both the national and Girl Guide flags.