“IN THE FIRING LINE; RUTHLESS BDF SETS SIGHTS ON UNFIT SOLDIERS”
WE have observed with grave concern and regret the deliberate use of demeaning and derogatory words in the article that appeared on The Voice Newspaper of 28th October, 2022 with the Headline, “IN THE FIRING LINE, RUTHLESS BDF SETS SIGHTS ON UNFIT SOLDIERS”. Please note that the diction used in the article does not only misrepresent the BDF values as an organisation but is also a deliberate attack on the organisation’s reputation and professionalism especially on matters relating to retired service members.
As a professional defence force, the BDF values and holds in high esteem the contributions made by each individual member, including retired service members, for the sacrifices they made in serving our nation and further contributing to the development of this Defence Force. We therefore find it disturbing and disappointing for the article to insinuate that the BDF has undertaken a deliberate and purposeful exercise to ‘ruthlessly cull its members.’ For the record, the BDF is mandated by law in accordance with BDF Act, 2018 Settion 281 (4) to carry out medical assessment for any serving member where their medical condition so warrants to determine their continued retention and deployment. It is therefore shocking that the article refers to and describes that lawful procedure as a culling process. We therefore take serious exception at the use of the word “culling” which, in our view, is usu
ally used in relation to animals and not people. In view of the above, we take it that the loose use of such words is meant to present the BDF as an irresponsible organisation that has no regard for human life and thus does not treat its former service members with dignity and honour.
Futhermore, to insinuate that the BDF ‘rubbishes’ members’ concerns when they talk about their welfare and health conditions is not only regrettable but, a deliberate reputational damage to the organisation which values its former members who served with pride and dignity.
We therefore wish to state that the article is not only damaging to the BDF but intended to cause panic to the public and present the BDF in bad light.
Specifically, the article seeks to create friction between the BDF and its former service members. We therefore wish to reiterate that;
The unfortunate use of the word culling and other similarly strong words in the article misrepresented the BDF values as an organisation and people centric Defence Force. For the record, the BDF treasures and holds in high esteem the contributions made by each individual member including retired service members for the sacrifices they made in serving the nation and further confributing to the development of the Defence Force and thus shall always treat them with honour and dignity.
The BDF continues to value the relationship with all media houses and looks foward to growing this relationship in an environment of trust and professionalism.