JEP: AT THE CENTRE OF ISLAND LIES SINCE 1890 – AND NOW CHRIS BRIGHT WANTS YOU TO PAY AN EXTRA 20% BECAUSE IT’S GOING DOWN THE PAN!

Look – let’s get one thing straight.  Though I have written the above headline I also acknowledge the Jersey Evening Pravda probably still CAN be worth every penny of the huge and inflationary 60p its editor – liar, coward and bully - Chris Bright wants you to now shell out of your pocket each day to keep the old Establishment mouthpiece going a few years longer.  Shocked at the apparent contradiction? Well, don’t be.

You see if you are one of those rare and special people willing to invest time in saving all of the cardboard tubing from the inside of your Christmas wrapping paper; and then spending a few hours each week cutting the Filthy Rag into neat little 4 inch strips to make home made loo roll then it actually does work out very favourably against even Andrex!

Okay, so it is true that you will still always run the real risk of ending up with more s*** (sorry ‘news’) on your backside afterward then had you just chanced to a clean job. But surely this risk is handsomely balanced out by the possible guilty pleasure of wiping your rear end on the smirking face of some of those hell bent on entrenching Jersey as a two-tier society where power shall reside in the hands of a tiny wealthy elite forever: people such as a King Bailhache, Prince Ozouf or even despicable States e-mail thief - and new Pravda favourite in this election year – Court Jester, Deputy Sean ‘Fingers’ Power?

The fact is the JEP is dying the natural death of any newspaper that sells its journalistic soul to undermining democracy for self-interest…

Yet all humour aside for anyone who has not read the ‘Message from the Editor’ published in last night’s newspaper one really should do so just to marvel at the sheer desperation apparent in Bright’s risible attempt to justify the huge increase. Indeed, to this end I have taken the liberty of reproducing the piece below this blog post just to give even those within the ever-growing number who now refuse to by this Establishment mouthpiece and gutter journal out of principle a chance to read it. 

But be warned – it may make you vomit quicker than a Geoff Southern ‘You should never take on the media’ speech!

But honestly, the sheer bulls**** Bright spins in trying to sell this massive increase – a full 20% of the previous price let us not forget and also the second rise to hit people in little more than two years - is quite jaw-dropping. Indeed, it would be truly funny if it wasn’t so blatantly dishonest in its stated justifications. It is certainly best to judge for your self but I’ll also quickly deconstruct the core of the editor’s guff within a few brief paragraphs below.

For starters poor old Chris whines that the huge increase in cost is ‘necessary’ to allow the JEP to maintain their ‘trusted, professional journalism’ set against the current ‘difficult, economic times’. ‘Trusted and professional’, Chris? What year did that special edition come out then – 1891?

Okay, so yes, Mr Bright, times certainly are economically difficult – yet the truth of the matter is, as you and anyone else reading newspapers anywhere know full well, across the globe titles which are far more highly respected and of a far higher quality than the Filthy Rag has ever been are instead ruthlessly and regularly shaving money OFF the sale price to try and entice readers to stick with them.

The majority of people in Jersey simply do not trust the mainstream media (MSM) anymore and with good reason…

Yes, it is also true that advertisers have been deserting the JEP in droves with an obvious consequential knock on impact to its income – indeed, this was privately alleged to me firsthand by one of its better journalists only the week before Christmas.  One can hardly blame them: the Rag’s sales according to the journalist who spoke to me are now allegedly dropping down toward around just 50% of what they were as recently as just 1997! 

But the grim fact is that the JEP’s slide toward the media knackers yard is primarily and indisputably down to one thing. A growing number of people within the community are sick to the back teeth of Bright and co peddling ever more right-wing propaganda and – worse – calculated misinformation and even downright lies to try and smear Leftists/Progressives and any brave enough not just to vociferously fight for the welfare of the ordinary working people the paper so despises; but actually even stand up to the Rag’s bullying.  Add in the generally lousy writing and the advertisers jumping ship is hardly surprising.

Okay, so it’s true the JEP has been lying and seeking to discredit any who they view as serious threats to the corrupt Establishment Empire for generations – probably centuries. Certainly since the aftermath of the Second World War where the Evening Post’s then editor not only happily collaborated with the Nazis but then ensured the Rag did its best to help rig the following elections by smearing the likes of Norman Le Brocq and the Jersey Democratic Movement; even denying them the right to publish their manifesto whilst promoting the right-wing businessmen behind the sham Jersey Progressive Party.

Yes, good old Mr Harrison even secretly attended meetings and supported the opposing and bogus Jersey Progressive party but was such a stickler for fair play and democracy that he ‘refrained’ from actually joining. What a man he must have been! Almost Bright-esque?  Problem is now as Bob Dylan so rightly sang: ‘the times they are a-changing’. Though the names and faces of those democrats attacked by the Rag have come and gone these decades of smears and lies - and possibly most importantly the rise of Citizens’ Media - have finally taken its toll. Put in a nutshell essentially the JEP is now dying by its own hand.

99% of the journalistic professionalism now existing in Jersey is with the burgeoning Citizen’s Media…

Indeed, one particular line within Chris Bright’s ‘message’ cuts to perhaps the most important truth of all. Of course it is not the least surprising the soon to be ex-editor pumps out the standard Establishment lie that – and I quote:  

‘In an age of information overload and on-line gossip and rumour, it is more important than ever that readers can turn to reliable publication whose journalists are trained and professionally motivated to distinguish what is true and important and to help make sense of the complexities of modern life.’

But though a bigger and more desperate lie was likely never spun put into its right perspective the irony of what Bright was trying to spin to his fast dwindling readership is pretty much spot on.

This is that the examples of both the JEP’s incessant propaganda and lying and the manner of how they have been left in the dust over the past few years when it comes to investigating and then breaking news of real importance by local blogs such as Voiceforchildren, Rico Sorda, Stuart Syvret and indeed this one - as well as an ever-growing collection of others - is now there for all to see if one is only willing to look beyond the vested interest driven propaganda of Bright and his ilk to frighten you away.

Indeed, for just one revealing example simply compare the way the JEP and it’s local MSM ‘competitors’ Channel and the BBC have happily published again and again appalling and demonstrable lies to try and help trash the investigation into decades of institutionalised child abuse concealed by the Establishment; and with it of course the reputations of those such as Lenny Harper, Graham Power, Stuart Syvret and Shona’s and my own who were caring and resolute enough to seek justice for the victims. Lies remember that undermined the hope for justice for people – then young children - who have faced a daily living hell for decades!

Just like certain Bailiffs, senior politicians and civil servants the JEP and its MSM ‘competitors’ knew then and know now – they just don’t want you to know…

After all its not as if Bright and his paymasters couldn’t publish the truth even at the late hour of early 21^st Century – the Scrutiny investigation alone which I chaired into the alleged mishandling of the finances of Operation Rectangle blew the tripe Bright, his counterparts and lackeys were peddling to the public as ‘fact’s into a cocked hat in one single document. Gods - you can almost picture the news meetings…

‘What… so some little brat from a broken home got buggered a few times years ago? No, no, no can’t find space for that – not good for our image as a financial centre. Besides, look what we’ve got scooped – a policeman travelling with Lenny Harper ate two helpings of lemon meringue AND had an Irish coffee! Hold the front page, Rob!’

Yet in contrast the blogs listed above also added to the revelations of the Scrutiny review ten times over. Just as they have also done with countless other stories as diverse as the Lime Grove House scandal; the shafting of the Controller & Auditor General; the senior Police Officer spun as being allowed to leave the force for ‘personal reasons’ yet who had actually sexually assaulted a civilian member of staff; all the way up to the Plemont-motivated attempted political assassination of Deputy Rob Duhamel finally falling flat only two weeks ago.

The JEP – happy to even benefit from those who make excuses for abuse…

Yes, throw in the JEP’s willingness to keep quiet – and even years later consequently financially benefit – from outrages such as individuals like the disgusting John Le Breton who (yes, I’ll keep on publishing it!) deliberately disregarded sickening evidence against his predatory paedophile friend, Andrew Jervis-Dykes at Victoria College and yet was then allowed to sit as a Jurat by both Philip Bailhache and Michael Birt - whilst the blogs would eventually unfold the whole, horrific truth - and one not only understands the how and why the JEP is now facing the consequence of reaping what it has for so long sown.

You also understand how this most revolting of ‘newspapers’ inevitable demise should not merit either tears or regret. The truth is it did only damage and disservice to the vast majority of Jersey’s ordinary working people whilst pandering, decade after decade, to the interests of the self-proclaimed elite. No its final passing when it comes should not be mourned by any who cherish fairness and democracy. After all, as the legendary Malcolm X once famously stated: ‘If we’re not careful the newspapers will have us hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people doing the oppressing.’

As to the 60 million dollar question of just how long the rapidly sinking Pravda ship can manage to keep afloat my money is on it being gone before the final demise of the archaic dual role of Bailiff. Though for reasons I just can’t seem to put a finger on right now I do hope it can at least hold on until we get our case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Still… that quarter of a million plus pounds of taxpayers’ money the newspaper has got from its friends in government for so many years – monies you never got to vote on of course – for publishing vast and time consuming works like the Gazette ought to keep the sherry cabinet stocked for a few years more at least. Won’t it?

Keep the Faith

*Just a quick message to Paul Carter: in reading my factual outlaying of what I have been told by a JEP employee – who obviously wants to remain anonymous whilst he (or she?) ‘looks for a better employer’ - should you be considering a letter of the type sent to Citizens Media Investigative Journalist, Rico Sorda’s place of work in a clear attempt at intimidation – please save the company a stamp! As the JEP really should know by now I simply don’t do being bullied no matter what the cost along the way to ultimate vindication.

The message from the JEP Editor - ‘The price of your JEP – and its value’

Dear readers…

‘The cover price of the Jersey Evening Post will rise by 10p to 60p from Saturday 1 March. This increase, the first since 2011, is a reflection of the current economic circumstances, changes in the media landscape and what we consider to be the true worth of local newspapers like the JEP.

We hope that you will agree that a price of 60p for a comprehensive daily package of news, comment, analysis, features, information and advertising, offering both a vital daily snapshot of Island life and a forum for debate and discussion, still represents excellent value. The Jersey Evening Post has been serving this unique and special Island since 1890 and continues to reach the whole community at a level which is among the highest in the newspaper industry.

Recently, we have added electronic editions and an enhanced website jerseyevingpost.com, to help us offer the kind of multi-media news and advertising services which modern readers expect. More change will come as, in common with publishers across Britain, we find new ways to keep bringing you the kind of trusted, professional journalism which is so important to local democracy and the life of the community.

Maintaining the specialised organisation required to achieve that aim presents a commercial challenge in these difficult economic times, which have had an inevitable impact on the advertising revenues upon which newspapers like the JEP have traditionally depended, and to a great degree still do.

The 10p price rise, although unwelcome, will help us to redress the balance and invest in maintaining the standards which so many Jersey residents have rightly come to expect.

In an age of information overload and on line gossip and rumour , it is more important than ever  that readers can turn to reliable publications whose journalists are trained and professionally motivated  to distinguish  what is true  and important and to help make sense of the complexities of modern life. The increase will support the JEP’s continuing efforts to fill that role and remain one of the key elements which binds the Jersey community together.

The increased cover price will continue to absorb GST, as we have done since that tax was introduced.

And there is also a way in which readers can keep enjoying their JEP at the old price. Daily subscribers using the JEP Extra or JEP Digital services will not be affected by the increase. Details at jerseyeveningpost.com.

Whichever way you choose, we hope you will stay with the JEP as we evolve to meet the challenges of a new era.’

Chris Bright, Editor

End.

Well, fingers crossed, eh Chris…