Dear Editor

It is permissible for a newspaper and its journalists/cartoonists to support a political party and to campaign openly for that party. We are aware that different people, based on their status and self-interest, can view the same phenomenon and form different impressions/opinions.

The cartoon of Thursday, October 20, 2011 have two drawings juxtaposed next to each other. The first depicting a change of government in 1989, with the outgoing prime minister handing over a very prosperous-looking environment, with a signpost saying “Growing Economy”. The second depicts the outgoing prime minister in 2007 handing over a dilapidated place with a sign saying, “Record High Unemployment”.

While individuals and newspapers are free to form their own opinion, based on how they see the world and to propagate these opinions, they are not permitted to make up their own facts. Clovis might see 1989 as the end of a glorious period and 2007 as the end of a disastrous period. That is his opinion. When the signpost reading “Record High Unemployment” is hoisted, we move from the realm of opinion to measured facts. Clovis lied. Literary and journalistic licences do not allow lying.

What are the facts? Based on data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, between 1972 and 1975 unemployment fell each year starting at 23.2 per cent and ending at 20.4 per cent. Unemployment then rose each year (with one exception) until it reached 27.8 per cent in 1981. Thereafter unemployment has fallen each year with the exception of 1992, 1995 and 1997 until it reached its lowest level ever, that is, 9.8 per cent in 2007. It has been rising ever since.

Politicians and their surrogates must be held to account for lying. As we approach the next election, each time a lie is told, it should not be allowed to go unchallenged.

Peter-John Gordon

Department of Economics

UWI, Mona

Kingston 7