The letter below has been reproduced from the Trinidad Express:
Mr Kalipersad,
I write these few lines as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and a silent observer of all things in the media...
These words are not official Government positions but just the vibes of an insignificant, Muslim coolie from San Juan.
I respect your role in the media and the years of effort and sacrifice you have carved in the media fraternity in our country.
I may not always agree with your point of view and opinions expressed but I will give my life for you to have the freedom to express yourself.
I know the importance of a free press and I have seen for myself what happens when the media is used and abused.
Something seems to be going on at TV6 and the Express and it is not too nice.
A blind man can see that there is a clear bias at both TV6 and Express.
On the one hand, items and reports are being presented in the name of investigative journalism and the only rationale for these reports is to embarrass certain individuals.
Perceptions are being encouraged and these perceptions are based on lies, half-truths and innuendo.
It is clear to me that there is a specific agenda to discredit Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of her Government. Since May 2010, I have seen for myself a deliberate and targeted barrage of accusations and misrepresentations about the People's Partnership as if there is an ultimate objective to make the Government fall. Notwithstanding the fact that the Partnership received an overwhelming mandate from the People, TV6 and Express have embarked on a sad journey to discredit and destroy.
To make matters worse, a deliberate programme has appeared on both TV6 and the Express, where the PNM is being re-branded, refreshed and re-aligned so that it will become a new PNM ready for governance with the fall of the People's Partnership.
I have noticed that anytime {without exception} there is a perceived problem concerning the Partnership Government, there is always a PNM official ready, willing and able to make a comment.
This is most unfortunate.
May I remind you, Mr Kalipersad, that I respect the views of TV6 and Express. If it is the wish of the Editorial Board to see the removal of the People's Partnership, I have no problem with that. That is their right and privilege so to do. As a private company, you all have every right to go in any direction. All I wish is that you be fair.
Stop the mud-slinging and speculation against members of the Government and be willing to let people defend decisions that have been made. Within the PNM, there is a view that no one else has the right to govern this land and up to today, we often hear that "this is PNM country".
Unfortunately, this myopic and naive view can never be true. There are many other citizens, not of the PNM, who are quite capable of offering leadership in this land. We should be willing to change and encourage change in this country.
For too long, we have been caught in a backward and dangerous mode of maintaining stupid and archaic ways of dealing with our problems.
Whether we like it or not, the People's Partnership was given a mandate to change the way we do business in this country. Those who fight to maintain the status quo must now give way to meaningful change.
Let it not be one-way traffic for the PNM or an orgy of embarrassment for the Partnership.
"The theory of the free press is not that the truth will be presented completely or perfectly in any one instance but that truth will emerge from free discussion.
Breathe easy, brother.
There is room for all of us.
Jamal
Mr Kalipersad,
I write these few lines as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and a silent observer of all things in the media...
These words are not official Government positions but just the vibes of an insignificant, Muslim coolie from San Juan.
I respect your role in the media and the years of effort and sacrifice you have carved in the media fraternity in our country.
I may not always agree with your point of view and opinions expressed but I will give my life for you to have the freedom to express yourself.
I know the importance of a free press and I have seen for myself what happens when the media is used and abused.
Something seems to be going on at TV6 and the Express and it is not too nice.
A blind man can see that there is a clear bias at both TV6 and Express.
On the one hand, items and reports are being presented in the name of investigative journalism and the only rationale for these reports is to embarrass certain individuals.
Perceptions are being encouraged and these perceptions are based on lies, half-truths and innuendo.
It is clear to me that there is a specific agenda to discredit Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of her Government. Since May 2010, I have seen for myself a deliberate and targeted barrage of accusations and misrepresentations about the People's Partnership as if there is an ultimate objective to make the Government fall. Notwithstanding the fact that the Partnership received an overwhelming mandate from the People, TV6 and Express have embarked on a sad journey to discredit and destroy.
To make matters worse, a deliberate programme has appeared on both TV6 and the Express, where the PNM is being re-branded, refreshed and re-aligned so that it will become a new PNM ready for governance with the fall of the People's Partnership.
I have noticed that anytime {without exception} there is a perceived problem concerning the Partnership Government, there is always a PNM official ready, willing and able to make a comment.
This is most unfortunate.
May I remind you, Mr Kalipersad, that I respect the views of TV6 and Express. If it is the wish of the Editorial Board to see the removal of the People's Partnership, I have no problem with that. That is their right and privilege so to do. As a private company, you all have every right to go in any direction. All I wish is that you be fair.
Stop the mud-slinging and speculation against members of the Government and be willing to let people defend decisions that have been made. Within the PNM, there is a view that no one else has the right to govern this land and up to today, we often hear that "this is PNM country".
Unfortunately, this myopic and naive view can never be true. There are many other citizens, not of the PNM, who are quite capable of offering leadership in this land. We should be willing to change and encourage change in this country.
For too long, we have been caught in a backward and dangerous mode of maintaining stupid and archaic ways of dealing with our problems.
Whether we like it or not, the People's Partnership was given a mandate to change the way we do business in this country. Those who fight to maintain the status quo must now give way to meaningful change.
Let it not be one-way traffic for the PNM or an orgy of embarrassment for the Partnership.
"The theory of the free press is not that the truth will be presented completely or perfectly in any one instance but that truth will emerge from free discussion.
Breathe easy, brother.
There is room for all of us.
Jamal
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