Editorial

DISTORTION A LA GRANDE MANIERE

The population is incensed in the way SBC TV, Radio and the Seychelles Nation reported on the passing away of Mr. Philibert Loizeau on Wednesday morning at the Victoria Hospital. Mr. Loizeau was seventy-five years old. A former Cabinet Minister and Central Committee Member of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF), he deserves better treatment from the people he served so diligently in helping them attain power. The way in which the State media has chosen to report on this incident is despicable and irresponsible. It gives the impression that something is being kept from the public.

Philibert Loizeau died of stab wounds.

Mr. Philibert Loizeau was very popular, a colourful character in his own distinctive way and very much respected among his peers. Like everyone, he has had his fair share of ups and downs, but who are we to pass judgement. The State media has created a needless controversy around the sad demise of a fellow citizen. And the population is not amused.

SBC TV reported in its news bulletin at 8 pm on Wednesday that Mr. Philibert Loizeau died because of a heart attack. But, there is an ongoing police investigation in regards to a disturbance at the family home recently. No further info was forthcoming leaving the television viewers wanting for more. In the event that SBC TV did not have more to offer on that matter, it (SBC TV) should have stopped at Mr. Loizeau died because of a heart attack and no more.

The issue was compounded further by the Seychelles Nation yesterday, Thursday, 1st of February. Reporting on the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Mr. Philibert Loizeau, the Nation wrote that ‘ Mr. Loizeau  had been admitted since Monday in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) suffering from wounds inflicting on him by one of his sons, who is believed to be mentally unstable, a police communiqué said yesterday.’ This is completely different from what SBC TV reported the previous evening. And the radio station gave another version of the story altogether, which we will not go into. It is a distortion “a la grande maniere.”

This newspaper is taking objection in the way SBC has reported on that matter and in the dismal treatment afforded to Mr. Loizeau’s family. As a former Minister of Information President Michel must take up this matter personally with the SBC. It does not reflect well on his legacy as a former Minister for Information.

February 2, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles