Today, we confront the elephant in the room—journalism. This conversation arises in light of the controversy surrounding a female journalist’s claim that Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire placed his hand on her back and pushed her out of the Parliament building. As the matter is now under investigation by the Police, we will refrain from further comment on that specific incident.
Instead, we turn our attention to the repeated assertions by operatives of the United Workers Party (UWP) that Timothy Poleon and Lissa Joseph—two outspoken media personalities with deep ties to the UWP—are reputable journalists. The implication is that they are professionals in the field. But what does it truly mean to be a professional journalist?
Let us first distinguish between a reporter and a journalist.
– A reporter specialises in gathering and presenting news, often working in the field to cover events as they unfold.
– A journalist, by contrast, engages in a broader scope of work—writing, editing, producing, and analyzing content. Journalists often conduct deeper research and investigative reporting, and may work in newsrooms or across multimedia platforms.
Both roles require strong communication skills, but journalism demands a higher standard of editorial judgment, storytelling, and ethical responsibility. Reporters are often seen as a subset of journalists, with many transitioning into broader roles over time.
It is true that both Poleon and Joseph began their careers as reporters and have since evolved into broader journalism roles. But the question remains: are they professionals in the business? Are they exemplars of journalism in Saint Lucia—standard bearers for those entering the field?
To answer that, we must first define what constitutes a true journalist.
A true journalist is committed to gathering, verifying, and disseminating accurate and reliable information. They adhere to core principles: objectivity, transparency, and a relentless pursuit of truth. Their work is not driven by personal or political agendas, but by a duty to inform the public in a way that empowers them to act in their own best interest.
Now, consider the political affiliations of Poleon and Joseph. Poleon was once floated as a potential UWP candidate for Castries South, a role he declined. Joseph, meanwhile, served as a political appointee in the Government Information Service during the UWP’s 2016–2021 tenure. Today, both have made it clear—through their public commentary and affiliations—that they are unapologetically aligned with the UWP.
This alignment raises serious concerns about their journalistic integrity. Their commentary consistently favours one side—the UWP’s—without demonstrating the objectivity or balance that journalism demands. A professional journalist tests the accuracy of all information, regardless of its source. Have we seen Poleon or Joseph challenge or critically examine the narratives presented by the UWP? Or do they simply amplify talking points that reinforce their party’s position?
Their interviews with individuals outside the UWP circle often appear curated to support pre-existing conclusions, rather than to uncover truth. That is not journalism—it is partisan advocacy.
Take, for example, Joseph’s persistent critique of the government-run Citizenship by Investment Programme. Despite her efforts to discredit it, the programme remains robust. The facts are publicly available, yet she has repeatedly relied on sources intent on undermining the initiative, rather than consulting original, authoritative data.
In journalism, the tension between neutrality and bias is real. Journalists are entitled to their perspectives, but they must strive to ensure their reporting remains impartial and grounded in truth. This is where both Poleon and Joseph fall short.
There is little evidence of any conscious effort on their part to recognize or minimize personal bias. Instead, their work often distorts reality, misleads audiences, and sacrifices journalistic integrity in service of a narrow political agenda. They do not serve the public interest—they serve a partisan one.
In closing, we must ask: can individuals who consistently fail to uphold the tenets of journalism be considered professionals in the field? The answer, based on their recent conduct, is a resounding no.