Bousquet says the freedom of the press is the backbone of Saint Lucia’s democracy, and should not be stifled by any politician. Chastanet’s statements highlighted named media houses as not being “on [UWP’s] side.'' Bousquet argues journalists should present the facts as they see them, and not pander to any political party.

 “The Leader of the Opposition cannot expect to actually sit down and believe that individual media houses ought to be on his side, the United Workers’ Party’s side, or any party’s side,” Bousquet criticized.

 Chastanet’s statements were made during a town hall meeting on August 27, 2023, in the village of Anse La Raye. Addressing his audience of UWP supporters, the anguished politician urged them to “go house-to-house” and “spread the word” of the party. He then bashed named media houses which he deemed to be against his party’s agenda.

 “You really believe MBC is on our side? You believe that HTS is on our side? No. People don’t know the difference between the truth and a lie. We have to spread the word of the United Workers’ Party,” Chastanet preached.

 Bousquet issues a reminder to the Opposition Leader, informing him that media houses are neither in opposition nor government. He says the job of the media remains the same irrespective of which party has the reigns over the country - and that, he says, is to report the facts.

 “Unlike him, who has to sing, according to whether he is in office or opposition, the media is always neither in office nor in opposition. If they are not saying what the Leader of the Opposition wants them to say, it does not mean they are not on his side. That means if [Chastanet] is to become Prime Minister of Saint Lucia again, independent media houses would not have the right of calling the facts as they see them.”

 The issue of truth versus falsehood is the subject of public discourse. On one hand, the Opposition Leader claims the government has sold Ports Castries and Soufriere to Global Ports Holding. On the other hand, both the government and GPH have disclosed that the port development project is a lease and concession agreement. In GPH’s own words, “the government of Saint Lucia will continue to retain ownership of the port and would rightfully own all new buildings and port infrastructure. GPH will never own the port.” Similarly, the Opposition claims it is in the nation’s best interest to complete the newly constructed wing of the St. Jude Hospital as opposed to rehabilitating the original structure. However, in a report commissioned by the prior administration, the findings stated that the original hospital should be completed.