“The phrase ‘All politics is local’ is used commonly in American politics. Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill is most closely associated with this phrase, which encapsulates the principle that a politician’s success is tied directly to the person’s ability to understand and influence the issues of their constituents. Politicians must appeal to the simple, mundane and everyday concerns of those who elect them into office. Those personal issues, rather than big and intangible ideas, are often what voters care most about, according to this principle.” — Wikipedia.com

Recent editorials and columns have suggested that politicians of either side simply create narratives that they wish for their base supporters to follow and repeat.

At first glance, one could possibly absorb that as some semblance of truth, mixed with a few grains of sand. However, it is glaringly apparent to many that the voices of many Bermudians who have issues with the present political and social path that Bermuda is on are not being heard or given an audience.

We have been inundated to the point of overdosing with feel-good stories about the economy and the America’s Cup. Often, far too often, these stories are not given in proper context to the backdrop of what is happening to all Bermudians, versus the comparative few that are benefiting.

Real people’s pain

As a prime example, there was no coverage of the established lunch cart that has been forced to move out of the location that it has taken the past six months to cultivate.

With less than a week’s notice, the owners were forced to move from a prime spot at Albuoy’s Point to a less desirable spot two blocks away from the crowds.

Are their voices not to be heard? Is their story not worthy of newsprint?

We are inundated with press releases about the number of visitors occupying Hamilton and Paget hotels. OK, great.

With the amount of tax dollars pumped into this event, we should expect nothing less than a few thousand tourists coming to our Island for a weekend or two. However, not one story has been recently dedicated to the thousands of Bermudians who have had to leave our Island because of a myriad of reasons, including but not limited to the high cost of living, lack of proper public education and increasing competition with non-Bermudians for jobs.

Are their voices not to be heard? Is their story not worthy of newsprint?

All hail the new king

What seems to escape those in high places is that the people of Bermuda are no longer relying on the rich and powerful to look out for the interests of the working- and middle-class people of this Island. The masses have taken to creating Facebook groups, Instagram memes and hashtags dedicated to speaking about the various issues affecting this Island and uniting the people.

Whether it be political, economic, social or small business issues, social media is open 24/7. The slow but sure death of traditional media is all but assured. Social media is now king.

With us or against us

Legacy media in Bermuda has long been viewed as the protectors of the rich and powerful, doing little to nothing to hold the oligarchy to account. Like it or not, people’s perceptions are people’s reality.

With that in mind, legacy media, or what is left of it, needs to come to a short, sharp reality check.

No matter how many focus groups are had or change of layouts are implemented, unless the people’s voices and concerns are given their due respect, all will be for naught.

When the people are upset, they will speak. When the people are upset, they will talk. When the people are upset, they will type.

It is not the media’s place to tell the public what they should or should not be upset about. Nor is it the media’s place to tell politicians which of the public’s concerns should be championed via social media.

#Socialmedia cannot and will not be silenced.