BLP Blog Uses A Partial Quote To Imply Barbados Free Press Supports BLP over DLP – But It Isn't So!
Readers are leaving critical comments at the BLP Barbados Labour Party Blog after a BLP article used a partial quote in a manner some are describing as "deceptive" and even "intentional".
The BLP Blog article "No Confidence in the Other Parties" quotes The Barbados Free Press as saying the following…
"The Barbados Free Press says
"As far as the DLP goes, we don’t have much faith that they will be organized well enough to find their way to dinner, let alone run a government anytime soon. And they were as much piggies at the trough when they were in power "
The Barbados Labour Party Blog then goes on to say "Well of course we agree with this statement. Can you just imagine Dr. Estwick giving a presentation to the World Health Organisation for Barbados. Kellman giving a presenation to the United Nations or the EU for Barbados…."
What Did The Original Barbados Free Press Statement Really Say?
"As far as the DLP goes, we don’t have much faith that they will be organized well enough to find their way to dinner, let alone run a government anytime soon. And they were as much piggies at the trough when they were in power as is the present government. As for the PEP, we can’t even see them on the radar."
Original quote taken from comments section of a Barbados Free Press article here.
It is apparent that the use of the partial quote substantially changes the meaning – making the Barbados Free Press appear to be critical of only the DLP. Even the article title implies that the Barbados Free Press has confidence in the BLP, but (by implication) "No Confidence in the OTHER Parties".
In fact, our original full statement likens both DLP and BLP politicians to "piggies at the trough". (Click here to see our original statement)
Intentional Deception Or An Accident?
One BLP Blog reader commented…
In my opinion it was intentional because they cut a sentence in two. It wasn’t like they grabbed a full sentence without reading the next one. they cut it off at the word that changes the meaning.
It looks deliberate to me. How stupid do they think the people are?
While another is not so sure…
The partial quote is very deceptive and is a surprise that BLP would try it because it is so ovious.
Barbados Labour Party Responds
"We have edited the offending text of the quote but of course it jusy goes to show how taking a quote out of context can give a completely different meaning to what was intended. Makes me think of the Nutrient Enrichment quote. Maybe this was also out of context."
While we think that the BLP Blog has acted properly in attempting to respond to readers' concerns, the new quote again does not fairly portray what was said. Even the title "No Confidence In Other Parties" implies that Barbados Free Press has confidence in the Barbados Labour Party, but "No confidence in other parties".
We aren't that concerned, of course, because our readers are quite capable of sorting things out for themselves.
Original Barbados Labour Party Blog Post…
Edited Post After Reader Complaints…
About "Barbados Piggies At The Trough"
The Barbados Free Press will be awarding our "Barbados Piggies At The Trough" Award each year to the politician who best exemplifies the "chow down" spirit of the Award (affectionately known informally as "The Piggy").
Nomination rules, submission close dates and the date of the awards ceremony will be announced soon.
Stay tuned, folks!
Barbados Free Press 