(Trinidad Express) The attack by Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed was “highly troubling” and indicative of a pattern of abuse by Government officials against the media, according to executive director of the International Press Institute (IPI), Alison Bethel-McKenzie.
Last week Tuesday, Mohammed sent a private and confidential e-mail to TV6 head of news Dominic Kalipersad in his private capacity, the minister describing himself as “an insignificant Muslim coolie”, and attacked both TV6 and the Express, alleging the media house was biased against the People’s Partnership Government.
Mohammed went further to allege the media house was in cahoots with the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) to destabilise the Government.
The minister had also sent an e-mail to an Express journalist taking issue with an article, claiming it was taken out of context and resulted in his doctors calling him “to find out if I have thoughts of committing suicide”.
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) and Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) also condemned Mohammed’s actions.
He apologised last Thursday, saying he did not know he could not separate his private and public portfolio as Communications Minister.
