Too little too late?

A number of organisations have joined the discussion about Crime Watch. The latest to do so is the TTPBA, adding its voice [belatedly] to that of MATT (the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago):
http://ctntworld.com/uploadedFiles/CNEWS/Local/Local_Categories/TV6CrimeWatchTTPBAPressRelease

It's good that these organisations have finally take a position on this very serious issue. My question is - where were they before the public outcry? The antics being performed on Crime Watch were hardly secret. The growing public discontent was clear. And the cause for concern was obvious - disrespect for human life and dignity was a normal position for Mr. Alleyne for some time previous to the airing of his video showing the rape of a teenage girl. Couldn't some intervention have been made before the credibility, not of the show alone but of the station as well, was undermined?

It's clear that intervening in the affairs of another organisation is a sensitive task. I'll tell you what seems to me to be an even more sensitive issue, though: explaining to the public why all these people didn't think the issue was important enough to do something before it turned into a hot mess. Before TATT had to intervene and wave the Draft Broadcasting Code at the media again, at a time when they have clearly been caught with their collective pants down, and their ineffectiveness dangling in the wind.

A member of the MATT executive appeared on a morning talk show yesterday and said that MATT has no powers. Well, DUH! If you consistently fail to act decisively, then you have given away your own power, haven't you? Because you have surrendered your moral authority to speak on important issues affecting your profession. This is true for MATT. It is true for the TTPBA. In fact, it is true for all the other media houses in this country who said and did nothing before the public cry of outrage shamed every professional journalist in the country.

If journalists fail to move decisively to ensure that their profession is regarded as credible by their audiences, they can blame no one but themselves if those audiences turn away from them - and towards people like Ian Alleyne who, if they're wrong, are at least wrong and strong.