Freedom without fear

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.

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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.