The Need for Academic Integrity in Mass Media: A Perspective from Nautical Archaeology in The Bahamas

Abstract

The Bahamas has a rich history of shipwrecks, piracy and treasure hunting; however the academic discipline of nautical archaeology is largely unfamiliar to Bahamians. Unfortunately, treasure hunting is still a common practice in The Bahamas and piracy is not relegated to the past. Illegal looting and damage to shipwreck sites constitute a serious threat to the country’s underwater cultural heritage. Accordingly, this study contributes to the discussion by conducting a critical analysis of two television documentary series, Treasure Quest and Cooper’s Treasure, as well as local media coverage of nautical archaeology and treasure hunting in The Bahamas. The study finds that media discussions incorrectly interpret treasure hunting to be part of nautical archaeology and perpetuate the widespread feeling in The Bahamas that treasure hunting is