And, while Pharmacy Express has its rights, journalists have a duty to seek out the truth, in the interests of the public's right to know.
And when our Courtney Menzies was doing just that one month ago, she earned ire of a HEATED Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler, who directed a statement at her that can only be perceived as a threat.
It happened shortly after an interview where he'd lost his cool, and while the threat wasn't captured on camera, there were many witnesses - including four journalists - that can confirm what he said. Today we asked Prime Minister Briceno how he feels about the Minister's threat.
Here's how he responded when pressed on the matter today:
Reporter
"He said it in front of the press to Courtney Menzies that she, while she tries to be Jules's Vasquez's bulldog she is in fact a Chihuahua and sometimes Chihuahua's get kicked in the face. In your opinion sir, is this a threat and if it is. Is it unbecoming of a minister?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister Of Belize
"Well, first of all I don't know if he said it so and I don't expect him to say something like that, um, so I can't comment on something that I don't know about and certainly the issue with not giving ads to channel 7. The truth is that Channel 7 has effectively become the voice of the opposition and that is the truth. I mean when you listen to Mr. Vasquez on Monday morning some of the things that he says, you are like really Jules but that is part of the democratic process and Chanel 7 we know that Jules's DNA is with the NIP but..."
Reporter
"He would have me contest that Sir, one second just because in telling the truth you have to be the opposition of whatever government is in power."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister Of Belize
"But in many instances he's not telling the truth, that's questionable. I mean when he says certain things and I don't want to have a back and forth Jules and I we are personal friends and I don't interfere with his professional."
Reporter
"Sir but to the essence of the question, Sir. If you don't expect Mahler to say something like that?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister Of Belize
"And we'll leave it as that."
Word to the PM, next week's Beef is on Tuesday.
