Caribbean Life
by Vinette K. Pryce
Brooklyn, New York - After 46 years of coverage of the annual West Indian American Day Carnival Association's [WIADCA] annual festivities in Brooklyn, in an un-precedented action, the organizers required media individuals to pay a whopping $700 in order to report on the activities.
The fee demanded reporters to pay $700 for a five-day media accreditation to report on all the activities and also allowed a Labor Day pass for $300. Any reporter or photographer wanting to report on Saturday’s junior carnival would have had to dole out a $200 fee and for all concerts held at the Brooklyn Museum, a $100 money order would have to be made out to the organizers by August 20 in order to be approved.
Imposition of a fee caused dissent and may have hampered support from minority media unable to honor the steep cost imposed by the organizers.
Allegedly, the fee was imposed in order to “control” negative press reports which “tarnish the intent and reputation” of the carnival.
Although some of the board members refuse to talk on the record about the 2014 demand, many claim they were “totally against” the idea of charging press to cover the event. Blame has been fully positioned on the new leader William Howard who is allegedly not rooted in Caribbean culture but has a record of aligning himself with politicians and maintains that the new ruling will enhance the profile of the 47th annual celebration of Caribbean heritage.
Replies
First of all accreditation is a pass for journalists to enter the premises where activities are being held. It also authorizes photographers to take photos of the activities and publish them.
It however cannot prevent anyone from reporting on the activities or for news photographs to be taken and published as long as commercial use is not made of the pictures. Selling them etc.
When outside in the public domain, such as in the street parade, it's all fair game and anyone can take photographs at will.
Charging an accreditation fee will not prevent negative press, although it can be used to prevent undesirable journalists from attending an indoor activity, but they can still generate negative press as could those who pay the fee.
One year to get new leadership again with young people at the helm.
As a well known calypsonian once said " yuh get the Government yuh deserve" Somebody must have voted this individual into power, how else could he make these changes without having a discussion with his peers about doing so... but then again, carnival is bacchanal !