(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement that there were rogue elements in the media was a worrying one.
This was the general consensus of representatives of various media organisations as well as Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday.
At the United National Congress’s (UNC) Monday Night Forum in Carapo on Monday, the Prime Minister said there were some in the media who were biased against her Government and distorting the facts.
She called on the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) to hold unfair members of the media accountable for their actions.
MATT president Suzanne Shepherd said she was very “perplexed” by the Prime Minister’s statements, noting that she (Persad-Bissessar) did not provide any detailed evidence to support her accusations.
Shepherd said there were sufficient checks and balances in place to monitor and guide the operations of media houses.
She added that the Media Complaints Council, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the courts were all there for persons to seek redress.
“It is worrying for me that successive Governments make these complaints and it is for some strange reason people believe media should function as glorified PR agencies,” said Shepherd.
Individual investigative reporters, she said, such as the Guardian’s Anika Gumbs-Sandiford, were being personally targeted and this was a dangerous situation.
Sports Minister Anil Roberts has taken legal action against Gumbs-Sandiford and the Guardian for reporting that he was under probe by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which was not the case.
“It is very sad at this stage in Trinidad and Tobago’s development where we have a female Prime Minister that women in the media are being subjected to these kinds of attacks and we have heard nothing from the Government, nothing in defence of these women,” said Shepherd.
She advised media practitioners to stay the course and continue their work according to best practices.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA), Kiran Maharaj, said that instead of criticising, Government should re-examine its communications portfolio.
“I think the Prime Minister’s use of the word rogue elements is perhaps inappropriate. I understand though Government’s seeming frustration that their positive endeavours are not being highlighted but I do not think it is the fault of the media. I think that the ministry (Communications) had been ineffective in communicating what Government has been doing and shedding positive light on all of these projects,” she said.
The media, she said, were often faced with the problem of not having easy access to information and part of this problem falls on the shoulders of communication specialists at ministries who ought to be more vigilant in disseminating information.
She said if this issue, together with other multiple issues are not dealt with properly it will cause a strain on Government and media relations
Maharaj added that there was always room for improvement and this also includes the field of journalism.
President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings, questioned what would happen next.
“There is little doubt that such vitriol from these quarters can lead to a measure of nervousness and ensuing self-censorship. Perhaps that is the intention. I am not sure. But these kinds of outrageous attacks are predictable perils of the trade. Whoever thought it won’t ever come to this? Political complexion has not made a difference over the years, whether we are talking about Port of Spain or Georgetown or St George’s. What should concern us all is what the administration proposes to do about its several charges,” he stated in an emailed response to the Express.
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said the Prime Minister’s criticism of the media was a form of intimidation.
“I think she is going mad. It is clear that the Government is not learning. Every time they do something, they do it worse,” said Rowley.
“If there are any rogues in Trinidad and Tobago, it is a rogue Prime Minister, a rogue Cabinet who has not satisfactorily explained the Section 34 scandal, until she can explain that, she has no authority to call anybody rogue in this country,” said Rowley.
“This action of the Prime Minister is clearly meant to intimidate independent investigative media which has been making the Government uncomfortable by simply reporting on the various misdeed and corrupt practices of the Government,” said Rowley.
The media, he said, play an integral role in protecting the people of this country.
“I am calling on all media practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago not to be intimidated by this Government which clearly wants to be wrong and strong and enjoy longevity in the process….any failing on part of the media to report fearlessly is to expose the population to the damage that can be done from abuse of office by those like the Prime Minister and her Cabinet who govern for their own selves,” said Rowley.
