A local media personality gave a tongue-in-cheek speech to the Hamilton Rotary urging the public not to "shoot the messenger''.

VSB reporter Bryan Darby gave his account of why many consider journalists "a necessary evil'' -- "ornery critters'' who make "pompous remarks''.

"With an election just around the corner and things beginning to get a little tense, I cannot honestly say that I look forward to the next few months with any sense of pleasure,'' said Mr. Darby.

"Everyone engaged in the media will be asked to perform a difficult and well nigh impossible balancing act under an unrelenting searchlight.'' Mr. Darby mentioned the recent media blitz over the Rodney Smith eviction case and the phone calls he received afterward alternatively "damning us for picking on the man and praising us for letting it all hang out''.

Mr. Darby noted that despite criticisms directed toward the media, many members of the public and business community do not understand the role of the press or how media coverage can be used to their advantage.

And he wryly noted: "I was going to compare us with that other misunderstood profession -- the lawyer -- but then I realised I don't know any rich journalists who travel the world and own their own home, so perhaps that's a bad comparison.'' He suggested that when problems arise, local "captains of industry'' should always prepare a brief statement in case of a leak to the media.

"If you never get to deliver the statement, lucky you -- but never, never take the chance of being caught unprepared,'' he added.

And he said the "mine-fields'' journalists encountered when covering Magistrates' Court were "nothing less than absurd''.

Mr. Darby also objected to the Parliamentary election broadcasting regulations which restrict the amount of political advertising allowed on radio and television -- but not print media.

And he added: "I don't know who the winner is when you gag the press, but it certainly isn't you and it certainly isn't me.

"So when you feel the temptation to shoot this particular messenger, remember my personal credo: it is far better to speak out and be thought a fool than to stay silent and confuse the heck out of everybody.'' Bryan Darby Graphic file name: DARBBS