Both Dionne Jackson Miller of the RJR/Gleaner Group and Zhara Burton of 18 Degrees North, are experienced, probing journalists.

At the government press briefings following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Melissa, they have posed the most searing questions whose answers should inure to the benefit and recovery of the country.

Rather than addressing these thought-provoking questions, they have both been accused of being “political plants”, intent on embarrassing the government, making the country look bad before the international community.

What has been levelled at them is nonsense.

Jamaica has little regard for journalists, and power players regard them as nuisances only fit for their expediency.

Good journalists make you think and, in some cases, such as this, seek workable solutions.

The questions asked by these two ladies have been thought out and should be thoroughly answered. Yes, the answer may not be available right there and then, but every effort must be made to get back to them with an answer.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many top American journalists made things uncomfortable for President Donald Trump and his administration because the public was looking for answers.

Compare and contrast that with how Dionne and Zahra have been treated. Despicable! 

Dionne Jackson Miller makes the point that accountability and oversight should go hand in hand with the relief effort. What is supposed to get to the hurricane victims should get to them. I’m sure all well-thinking persons would agree with her.

Let’s be frank, this hurricane relief effort is a target-rich situation for the unscrupulous and opportunists. We know our reputation for scamming and skullduggery.  We know the penchant for thievery, dishonesty and self-enrichment. Every penny should be accounted for, so too equipment and shelters, etc. 

The government should be extra vigilant here and not thin-skinned when the issue is raised.

There are many people with honorific titles, politicians who lead with their educational accomplishments, some with master’s degrees and doctorates. What good is that if you can’t manage situations? A good government official should manage what he or she is confronted with, not throw their hands in the air and say, “We have never been hit by a category five hurricane before”. 

Well, you have now, and what are you going to do about it? How can you best assist your people? Are you able to manage the situation? Why are you delegating to others who feel sorry for you rather than taking the lead? 

A lot of mud has been thrown at Dionne and Zahra, and it is uncalled for.

Dionne Jackson Miller is absolutely right to ask, ‘Where is the independent oversight committee?’. That question is yet to be answered; instead, we are getting paralysis by analysis.

She asks the question, “Why isn’t there a proactive disclosure mechanism to give real-time information in terms of the recovery effort, money coming in, expenditures, shelters, relief drops, so that anyone can access this information instead of this tightly curated way of delivering information with the press conferences?”

This is a salient question, one where there should already be an answer.

Instead, Dionne has been castigated with false accusations made against her. For all the good work she has done over the years, she gets abused by people who are unable to keep their political fervour in check and place the national interest before all. 

Let’s be honest, there doesn’t seem to be a united front with this relief and recovery effort. Both political parties are at each other’s throats, the church is nowhere to be seen, there are a lot of politicians showboating before the media, and competence is lacking. It’s time the prime minister and opposition leader are seen to come together before the country and put aside differences for Jamaica’s greater good.

People are suffering out there and need help urgently. The Buju Banton situation is indicative of how south this can get.

Zahra Burton is an irrepressible journalist with a fine body of work. She has been at Bloomberg, The Young Turks in the early days, and is now heading 18 Degrees North.

She, too, is getting shtick for asking probing questions. Why?

Zahra asked, “Can we get a breakdown of the allocation of expenditures and what each ministry is working with?”. 

A reasonable ask, but managed to send some apoplectic 

“It is difficult for journalists and for members of the public to get information on expenditures and revenues in a timely manner. It’s something we have complained about over and over again. The ATI Act (Access to Information)  has not yet been amended. I want to know if, under this situation, sections of the act can be relaxed so that we can get the information?”.

This is a request that should be granted for greater transparency as it pertains to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Instead, Zahra was seen as being out of line, and an indignant approach was taken toward her question.

She has asked about how the death toll is being determined and is the government is monitoring how much money comes from what country, which charitable organisations and from which personalities. Was it kind or was it cash?

“Can we get a running tally of how much money is coming into the country?”

These are good questions from an inquiring journalist. Zahra Burton is not being adversarial here.

A question we all want to know is the one she posed. “ The relocation of people, particularly where it will be a struggle to rebuild in their communities. Many are in desperate straits right now. Can they be evacuated into shelters in Kingston, like the National Arena? Is this something you are exploring? Are you taking people to camp sites around the country? Can you place them into temporary dormitories for say six months?”

Legitimate questions requiring answers to help desperate Jamaicans whose lives have been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Rather than come up with answers, thus demonstrating competence and management skills, energy is being deployed vilifying Dionne Jackson Miller and Zahra Burton.