(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday said the media play a very important function in keeping the government in check.
She made the comment during a media luncheon she hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, in which she also handed out hampers to every guest.
In a short address during the event, Persad-Bissessar said Government Ministers cannot get angry when negative reports are carried in the media.
“You are doing your job, you have to keep us on our toes, you have to keep us focussed and pointed and so on,” she said.
She added that 2010 was a year of many changes and noted that her mantra to her Government members was “serve the people, serve the people, serve the people”.
She said 2011 will be a year of delivery and action.
Government Minister Roodal Moonilal also recognised the critical role of the media.
“As politicians, as Government members, we do appreciate your work, we may not voice that to you all the time … and we depend on you as well for a functioning government and a functioning system and we have you there so that you will be critical and scrutinise us and keep us under the light. That is a very important function that you play, we respect that and we appreciate your hard work and support,” he said.
Government Minister Jack Warner, who was described by Persad-Bissessar as her “right hand man”, thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the Cabinet for hosting the media luncheon.
