Already we know of at least two European journalists who are working there that have some knowledge on the importance of communication however; they seem to be missing in action while collecting huge salaries out of tax payer's monies to do practically nothing. One of the journalists who were working for the bi-weekly newspaper on the French side of the island eventually sent out a press release on Wednesday afternoon indicating that Rue de Hollande was closed. For this person's information the damage was already done and he believes the government information service works like the newspaper by putting out the information after the fact and not before. Our suggestion to the President of the COM is to send this young man on some sort of training so he can at least know the government and the private sector does not operate the same way.
Some of our colleagues in the media have said the staff of the communication department would appear in the two's and three's to cover one assignment yet they do not send out releases on the events, some said when the communiqué is sent out by one particular staff member it is only sent to his former place of employment.
SMN News also understands that at least three of the staff from the communications department of the COM attended the SMART trade show opening reception with their boyfriends and girlfriends. It was reported that these so called civil servants were having a good time eating and drinking alcohol on the opening night of the SMART tradeshow which was held for the first time on the French side. One would expect that the COM would have done its best to promote the French side of the island so that the hotels as well the other sectors on the French side would attract more business.
According to one journalist the employees of the communication department were only focussing on the best wines and food that was available that night and not the news. It is also said that it seems because those people's bread is well buttered they don't care whether or not the French side remains a ghost town.
