T&T govt move for increased broadcast time up in the air
(Trinidad Guardian) After a two-hour meeting with Communication Minister Jamal Mohammed on Tuesday, media managers and journalists continue to disagree with a proposed move to have the broadcast time for government programming increased two hours a day. This was revealed by president of the Media Association of T&T and editor of the T&T Guardian Suzanne Sheppard.
Mohammed, however, commented: “We are all on the same page now and I am very happy about today’s meeting.” President of the T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) Kiran Maharaj and her team invited Matt representatives, Sheppard and the organisation’s vice-president Judy Raymond to attend the meeting.
It took place at the Communications Ministry at Nicholas Towers, Port-of-Spain. Mohammed was accompanied by Justice Minister Christlyn Moore, Science and Technology Minister, Dr Rupert Griffith, CEO at the Government Information Services Ltd (GISL) Andy Johnson and director of information and communication (OPM) Dennis McComie.
Sheppard said one of the major issues discussed was Mohammed’s request a few weeks ago to have the Government utilise the maximum time allocated to it under the broadcast licences issued to media houses. Over the past several years, the maximum time has not been used. Sheppard said: “The fact of the matter is that both the Matt and the TTPBA have concerns.”
She noted that the request was part of the legal arrangements for granting radio and television licences. “Matt’s position is that we are not at all in favour of this demand for broadcasting entities having to adhere to this requirement.” Sheppard said such a development “has implications for the bottom line and the way stations operate,” adding, “we don’t see the measure as really healthy or necessary.”
She said there was no agreement, but what was clear was the need for more dialogue on this and other issues affecting the media. Mohammed described the meeting as “historic.” He said: “We have reset the button, in terms of our relationship, as a lot has been uncovered and discussed in a free, open manner.”
Johnson said the meeting was held to resolve some misunderstanding, and there was need for “some kind of standing conference between the Government and media operators in the country.” He said he was heartened to say that “nothing that is taking place should be construed in anybody’s mind that the Government has any nefarious intentions against the freedom of the press.”
