Comments on: The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald

By: Caribbean Woman

Caribbean Woman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:39:01 +0000

I think you are taking this to a great extreme. I thought the series was fantastic and revealed MANY “secrets” that some are aware of. God forbid that he actually showed something bad about Jamaica. Jamaica’s crime is so hidden to the tourist industry that it can be considered a secret. Jamaica is a beautiful country and is well portrayed in the tourism aspect, but if a journalist decides to showcase another aspect, so be it. I think the contrast and comparison of the islands was fantastic. And any sensible person will not base their travels on this particular series alone. It is ok to be criticized people, it won’t kill you!
And stop the racism, it really doesnt help. Are there really people still in this generation that see race?

By: John Smith

John Smith — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:10:18 +0000

Bernie 777 if Trevor takes you up on your invitation to Poland, with any luck he’ll love it so much he’ll stay there.

By: carol

carol — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:55:58 +0000

I AGREE WITH YOU MAGDELENA! HOW CAN ANYONE DISMISS THE BLASTING THAT SIR TREVOR GOT? NOT EVEN SIR TREVOR CAN.

By: Magdelena

Magdelena — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:39:01 +0000

Regarding comments made by Bernie 777 … such ignorance is not worthy of a response

By: bernie 777

bernie 777 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:40:29 +0000

Well Trevor I thought it was a lovely three part mini series…and you told it so well…forget all this negativity from couch potatoes…they need to get out of the house more,,,I think you are a real gem….if you want to come and visit my farm in Poland,,,just give me a bell….ps,it not flash like Richards gaff…but it does have a hammock and a view to the mountains where the Polish Pope was born…

By: John

John — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:08:29 +0000

Three weeks ago I sent a complaint to Plum Productions who produced this show, but have not received a response. I also gave them a link to this website so they can see the strength of feeling against the show. If I ever receive a response (I won’t hold my breath) I’ll post it here.

By: Magdelena

Magdelena — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:22:22 +0000

I have just received a response to my complaint to OFCOM about the bias, negative stereotyping of black people and the particularly offensive portrayal of Jamaica in the Secret Caribbean. They did not uphold my complaint as they state that the control over the choice of people used or interviewed lies with ITV and in that sense they have not breached the requirements of the Broadcasting Code. They also state that the programme was a ‘personal view by Trevor McDonald. Notwithstanding they did acknowledge the points I made about; ‘the harmful misleading nature of this programme and that the ‘programme showed a lack of balance relating to Jamaica and the people of the Caribbean generally’. Not the response I would have liked but like the majority of conscious well informed people who have aired their views on this website I shall continue to challenge unfair and harmful misrepresentations of black people by the media.

By: carol

carol — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:48:41 +0000

Mark where were you a couple of weeks ago? Well you know the saying
‘better late than never.’

As you can see from the responses to Secret of the Caribbean,
Mr Sir Trevor McDonald may have had the biggest backLASHING of his career.
The Jamaican descendants and quite a number of their conscious cousins
from various islands and visitors… let Sir Trevor and the programme
makers know how very verrry little they thought of their Secret Caribbean.
Only a tiny few trrried to defend the show. Last week the show was blasted
in the Voice & The Gleaner by the Jamaican High Commisioner and the Head of other organisations.
Lyndsey Weathrall at ITN claim that the program was fair and balance.
See Chris Gayle’s recommendation.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:26:26 +0000

I wish to express my disappointment at this series. Not a single black entrepreneur was shown throughout the series. Not a single black person was inteviewed during his trip to Barbados and the way Jamaica was portrayed was absolutely shocking and stereotypical. Having travelled throughout the Caribbean and having a passion for the region I was deeply disappointed. If Mr McDonald felt the need to show the most negative aspects of Caribbean life he needed to look no further than his native Trinidad & Tobago. I dont know how long ago the programme was filmed but based on the No. of murders committed in TNT so far this year that country’s per capita murder rate has surpassed that of Jamaica. Sadly, St Kitts & Nevis also has a per capita murder rate which is higher than Jamaica’s. TnT is also the kidnapping capital of the Caribbean! Lets not forget that Jamaica remains by far the most visited Island in the English speaking Caribbean All the islands of the Caribbean are beautiful and have a lot of positives and some negatives. Lets have a more balanced programme in future and shame on Mr McDonald for not looking beyond the stereotypes.

By: Nona

Nona — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:59:01 +0000

I think Sir Trevs next series should be called The Secret Britain.

It should feature 5 non-British footballers who own large homes in prime areas, Morris Dancers, poor white folks living in Council Estates and caravans, inmates of Liverpool prison, and various victims of racial violence across the British isles.