Is the Manx government a closed book?

Is the Isle of Man government and its executive a closed book and do the media help them keep it that way?

On Manx Radio today Anthony Webber a former politician in the Channel Isles avers that the Island and other dependencies lack transparency. Well tell us something we didn’t know because the Isle of Man is essentially ‘a closed book’ from which we occasionally get extracts via the media. There is no concept of openness and accountability and we only have to look at the various scandals over the years everything from planning enquiries, the constabulary to utility loans etc

I suppose that Mr Webber is lucky in that the main Radio Station the public service broadcaster gives him some air time for his views. Other campaigners are not so fortunate.

Take Peel man Trevor Cowin who has been engaged in a one man war with the establishment over a variety of issues not least at present the vagaries of the planning system. Mr Cowin bombards me with meticulously detailed correspondence charting his engagement with all aspects of Government from the Chief Minister to bodies which are supposed to provide oversight and scrutiny.

However with the exception of the odd letter published in the Manx newspapers I hear little of his concerns aired or more specifically enquired into by the broadcast media.

Is Trevor right in his concerns? I certainly don’t know but he provides detailed and meticulous sources for the assertions he makes. So why is his ‘window on the world filled with frosted glass’ is it because when it comes to news in the ‘land of our birth’ we simply get edited highlights submerged in a vat of trivia! He seems to circulate most MHKs/MLCs but yet all are strangely mute to his blandishments?

Here is the link to the item featuring Mr Webber's concerns if you require Trevor Cowin's views I feel sure he would be happy to add you to his already copious email circulation list:

https://www.manxradio.com/…/political-commentator-damns-is…/

Images:

Anthony Webber - FOI seeker
Trevor Cowin - Accountability seeker

Bernard Moffatt