PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTABILISATION - “THE WAR IS ON”

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTABILISATION - “THE WAR IS ON”

In the Guy Pool trial, Albert Rene is quoted to have famously stated in a public speech at Esplanade: “The War Is On”. This is exactly what is already happening in these elections. Certain degrading publications have already started to appear in the streets making personal attacks, threats, insults and serious allegations against SNP candidates. These slanderous and libelous pamphlets have made allegations of homosexuality and dishonesty leveled at those candidates in a bid to psychologically destabilize them. It is strange that either the Electoral Commissioner or even the police have not addressed this issue at all. These hate pamphlets are clearly designed to generate contempt, hatred and disgust towards these candidates.

It has also set the tone for the campaign in the forthcoming elections which promise to be one of the dirtiest in Seychelles history. At least one national newspaper has begun publishing these hate pamphlets in a clear move to whip up feelings of hatred and violence against the opposition candidates in the guise that the pamphlet has been posted on the internet. The newspaper which has the unhealthy habit of publishing articles from the internet is already being investigated by the police for publishing pornographic materials in its last issue of its newspaper again with the aim to denigrate and ridicule opposition candidates. It has now transpired that the police have obtained a court order to remove the newspaper out of circulation and criminal charges are expected to be filed against its editor soon. This happened after criminal complaints were lodged with the police by the persons depicted in the pornographic cartoon. These people have also instructed lawyers to file a civil suit, not only against the editor of the newspaper, but also its publisher, financier and retailers of the paper. The cartoon which is clearly in poor taste and offends public decency and morality, is the product of a warped and twisted mind, craving attention and publicity.

The editor of the newspaper who is not new to controversy had already had one newspaper closed down after hundreds of thousands of rupees were awarded against him by the Supreme Court for defaming several well known local public figures. This is why many people are asking why and how the Seychelles Licensing Authority issued a license to publish, to the same person again. It is understood that the backers of this paper are very powerful and influential with direct links to State House. The paper was set up to serve a specific political purpose; to denigrate and ridicule leaders of the opposition in order to make them less credible and electable. In this regard the paper did not fail to deliver as it embarked on a sustained and systematic attack and character assassination on the opposition leaders with Ralph Volcere singled out for special treatment. In what was clearly harassment and persecution, the paper consistently churned out three to four articles every week with a cartoon or two thrown in for good measure, about Ralph Volcere.

This time around it seems that the Attorney General’s office is treating this matter seriously in order to stop further similar publications in future. Reliable sources have also commented that the order to take action against the editor of the newspaper may have come simultaneously from Maison du Peuple and State House. It is felt that this time around the newspaper has gone too far and over stepped the boundaries of ethics, public decency and morality. The Anglican and Catholic Bishops are also said to have expressed disgust and concern about the cartoon. The newspaper which habitually publishes swear words and obscene languages unfit to be published in the national media, has had complaints lodged against it at the Seychelles Licensing Authority to compel the CEO of SLA to issue a summon to show cause why the licence of this particular newspaper should not be revoked. It’s financier and benefactor is a well known businessman of Indian Origin and was recently seen on SBC television in the SPPF’s Extraordinary Convention. He has also express concern that his reckless editor may have dragged him in yet another scandal which may cost him a fortune in damages and legal fees. In the meantime the precocious editor is said to be in hiding after he was inadvertently tipped that the police are looking for him with a warrant of arrest. President Michel is also called upon to set up the Standard and Ethics Committee for journalists and local publications as things are clearly and rapidly getting out of hand.