Andy has no apology for promoting government agenda

File: GISL CEO Andy Johnson: "What is wrong with promoting the Government?"

Andy Johnson has no apology for promoting the agenda of the People's Partnership government.

The Chief Executive Officer of the the Government Information Services Limited (GISL) has been hosting the morning talk show on state-owned CNMG television. And that has caused some media to question's Johnson's role. 

Johnson's answer is a question to the media: What is wrong with promoting the government's agenda?

The former TV6 morning show host made it clear that his role at CNMG is not a case of political interference at CNMG. He suggested it is to provide information so that there would be a plurality of views. And he stated that it is nothing new for people with political affiliation to be connected with media.

"There are radio stations that have people that are talk show hosts who are membership card holders of the People's National Movement (PNM). 

"Why is this paranoid focus on promoting the Government's agenda and what is wrong with promoting the Government's agenda? If it is OK to promote the Government's agenda on a private media house, can I come and do that at TV6? I will gladly do that." Johnson said.

TV6 is a private media company operated by the Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) which also publishes the Express Newspapers. Johnson noted that there are many people who are affiliated with the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) who are columnists in the newspapers. 

He noted that it is nothing new for him to wear his journalist's hat and interview people. "It has nothing to do with promoting the Government's agenda," Johnson said. "I am saying let's look at both sides. What is wrong with promoting the Government?" he asked.