The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) issued a statement Tuesday condemning what it said was an attempt to "coerce and intimidate reporter Andre Bagoo" into complying with police demands that he reveal his sources.
MATT's statement was in respect to reports by Newsday that a marked police car was seen outside Bagoo's house. Last week police searched the Newsday newsroom and seized equipment and interviewed journalists. They also seized three laptop computers from the home of the reporters.
Newsday reported Tuesday that on Sunday night a marked police vehicle was parked outside Bagoo’s Belmont house for several hours.
The paper said there were two men in the vehicle and the vehicle’s engine was kept running for the entire time with headlights turned off in a dark area outside the house. However it did not provide any evidence to support its claims.
Police have stated that no such surveillance was authorised. Public Information Office of the Police Service Sgt Wayne Mystar told reporters Tuesday no instructions were given to any police officer to monitor Bagoo at his home or any of his activities.
"Neither the Commissioner of Police, nor members of the Executive, or any senior officers, which will include Senior Superintendent Solomon Koon Koon who is the lead investigator, gave instructions to any police officer or officers to perform surveillance outside the home of that said reporter."
Mystar said police are now investigating the matter reported by Newsday.
MATT said the incidents are "blatant abuses" of police powers.
"The raid and the seizure of Mr. Bagoo's computers were a violation of the confidentiality of sources, which is a fundamental principle of journalism," the media group said.
"Mr. Bhagoo is within his rights to refuse to betray his sources and is contravening no law by respecting and guarding their confidentiality. Indeed, it would be unethical for him to reveal them."
It added, "MATT viewed this latest action as "reckless and extreme" and trespasses on the established tradition of press freedom, which is protected by Trinidad & Tobago's Constitution and governed by numerous international accords to which this country is signatory.
"Following in the wake of the raid on CCN TV6 a few weeks earlier, there appears to be a developing pattern of targeting media practitioners for excessive and unwarranted displays of police muscle."
MATT also rejected the explanation given by Gibbs to justify the raid.
"The Media Association calls on the police to apologise for this latest outrage and to return to Mr. Bagoo the computers that were seized from him last week, which are the tools of his trade.
"The association is also seeking legal advice on the matter and intends to pursue it to the limits in defense of the freedom of the press and of the journalists of Trinidad and Tobago," MATT.
MATT's statement was in respect to reports by Newsday that a marked police car was seen outside Bagoo's house. Last week police searched the Newsday newsroom and seized equipment and interviewed journalists. They also seized three laptop computers from the home of the reporters.
Newsday reported Tuesday that on Sunday night a marked police vehicle was parked outside Bagoo’s Belmont house for several hours.
The paper said there were two men in the vehicle and the vehicle’s engine was kept running for the entire time with headlights turned off in a dark area outside the house. However it did not provide any evidence to support its claims.
Police have stated that no such surveillance was authorised. Public Information Office of the Police Service Sgt Wayne Mystar told reporters Tuesday no instructions were given to any police officer to monitor Bagoo at his home or any of his activities.
"Neither the Commissioner of Police, nor members of the Executive, or any senior officers, which will include Senior Superintendent Solomon Koon Koon who is the lead investigator, gave instructions to any police officer or officers to perform surveillance outside the home of that said reporter."
Mystar said police are now investigating the matter reported by Newsday.
MATT said the incidents are "blatant abuses" of police powers.
"The raid and the seizure of Mr. Bagoo's computers were a violation of the confidentiality of sources, which is a fundamental principle of journalism," the media group said.
"Mr. Bhagoo is within his rights to refuse to betray his sources and is contravening no law by respecting and guarding their confidentiality. Indeed, it would be unethical for him to reveal them."
It added, "MATT viewed this latest action as "reckless and extreme" and trespasses on the established tradition of press freedom, which is protected by Trinidad & Tobago's Constitution and governed by numerous international accords to which this country is signatory.
"Following in the wake of the raid on CCN TV6 a few weeks earlier, there appears to be a developing pattern of targeting media practitioners for excessive and unwarranted displays of police muscle."
MATT also rejected the explanation given by Gibbs to justify the raid.
"The Media Association calls on the police to apologise for this latest outrage and to return to Mr. Bagoo the computers that were seized from him last week, which are the tools of his trade.
"The association is also seeking legal advice on the matter and intends to pursue it to the limits in defense of the freedom of the press and of the journalists of Trinidad and Tobago," MATT.
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