By Julian Rogers
Email: julian@caribbeanbridges.com
In an era where ballot counts and development projects often serve as indicators of the promise of Caribbean democracy, the more profound indicators—such as freedom of the press—are quietly under siege. Nowhere is this more evident than in Dominica, where concerns about the erosion of media freedom have been escalating for years. A recent impromptu online discussion, organised by the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), brought together journalists, civil society leaders, and regional media figures to confront the issues head-on.
I participated in that conversation alongside seasoned Dominican journalists, civil rights advocates, and media veterans. What emerged was a deeply felt concern not just for Dominica but for the state of journalism and democracy across the region.
Journalism on Trial
The ERC’s invitation to regional media practitioners made clear their dual concern: not only with Dominica’s flawed electoral process, but also with the deepening threat to press freedom. They highlighted the shocking incident on March 19th, when police commander Jeffrey James allegedly assaulted a young EmoNews reporter covering the protest. According to the ERC, state media representatives from DBS Radio, who were nearby, remained silent while their independent colleague was attacked.
“EmoNews is one of the few media houses in the Commonwealth of Dominica which objectively covers the activities of both government and opposition,” the ERC stated in its invitation. The episode laid bare the vulnerability of independent journalism in an increasingly polarised environment.
As Kathy Andre declared in the opening minutes of the session, “The press in Dominica was on trial during the March 19th protests.” She urged her fellow journalists to stop accepting infringements as routine and start using the law to defend their rights. “We cannot keep taking this lying down,” she said. “We have to value our freedom and integrity enough to act.”
This call was not only courageous but necessary. Many journalists in Dominica feel trapped between their professional obligations and the risks of state retaliation—economic, legal, or otherwise.
Media as Monologue, Not Dialogue
One of the gravest concerns expressed during the session was the government’s retreat from meaningful engagement with the press. There are no regular press conferences. No structured opportunities to question public officials. As Andre put it bluntly, communication from the government has become “a monologue, not a dialogue.”
This is a critical shift. In a democracy, the media is the conduit between the government and the governed. Without that bridge, the public is left in the dark, vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation.
A Veteran Perspective
As I noted during the session, the regional community cannot remain silent: “We should not have to plead for media freedom—it is not a favour. It is a democratic right.”
Drawing on Dominica’s history—rife with struggles for civil rights and democratic order—I clarified that my recent commentary was not an indictment, but a reflection on the need to preserve the gains so hard-won. We’ve been here before. We must not go back.
And yet, as I added later in the session, “The situation in Dominica reflects a lack of progress from its troubled past.” If we fail to support our colleagues, we tacitly allow the erosion of freedoms across the region.
Inform, Don’t Silence
Anthony Drigo, journalist and educator, was resolute about the essential role of journalists: “If you silence the media, you silence the people. Journalism informs the public, and that’s what democracy depends on.”
He underscored how the very structure of Caribbean media—where the government is often the primary advertiser—creates a dangerous dependency that can suffocate criticism.
Drigo offered a forward-looking solution: reintroduce school newspapers and debate competitions to “empower the next generation with the skills and responsibility to uphold democratic ideals.”
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