Curious Omissions on BBC Radio Jersey

Am I the only one, I wonder to have noted the discrepancy between the BBC radio Jersey news coverage of the Waterfront saga, and their web page news at

www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/news

The broadcast coverage has been extensive, but on the web news there has been little or nothing.

A few days ago, we had Jim Perchard's resignation from Web (Waterfront enterprise Board), citing a possible conflict of interest in the position of Gerald Voisin, the chairman of Web.

Now we have the censure motion by Geoff Southern, which is mind-boggling for the way in which it mentions the controversy:

"Senator Walker has already apologised to the House for giving it information regarding the project that he believed to be true, but which he subsequently discovered was not. "

It is almost as if they are leaning over backwards not to mention Harcourt Developers by name, or the fact that the information was to do with the denial of a lawsuit against Harcourt, and which was found to be true. Really, it tells the average reader less than nothing about the matter, and one has to wonder why. Read it (see below) and ask if the average reader in the UK could tell what all the fuss was about, or indeed anything of import.

Could it have something to do with the fact that the broadcast programmes are local in scope, but the web pages are part of the national BBC news coverage, and someone, for whatever reason, doesn't want details of the matter made too widely known?

I don't see necessarily some deep conspiracy, but more an editorial policy of fence-sitting, especially where Ministers in the States are concerned.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/7457320.stm

Chief minister faces censure vote

Jersey Chief Minister Frank Walker is facing censure for not providing the States with accurate information about plans for a new financial quarter.

The application for censure is being brought by Deputy Geoff Southern.

He believes States members were "seriously misled" during the debate on the development of the new Esplanade quarter in St Helier.

If Deputy Southern's application goes ahead, Senator Walker will face a censure vote in the House.

Esplanade quarter

In 2004, before becoming chief minister, Senator Walker narrowly defeated another vote of censure.

He had been accused of pressuring planning authorities to approve an infill site on a friend's land in Trinity.

Deputy Southern brought the latest application for censure because, he said, members were not given full and accurate information about the Esplanade quarter masterplan and in particular its economic impact.

He claims two "vital" documents were withheld from States members.

The esplanade development includes plans to submerge a dual-carriageway and build several thousand feet of office space and living accommodation.

It will link St Helier's waterside area with the rest of the town.

Senator Walker has already apologised to the House for giving it information regarding the project that he believed to be true, but which he subsequently discovered was not.