"We accept that the government of the day must face media scrutiny of its affairs.
"In a democracy the media have an obligation to seek out the issues on behalf of the people and report on them as fairly and objectively as they can so that the people can have an informed opinion. That’s how democracy works," she stated.
Persad-Bissessar said her government has been under more scrutiny than any other and added: "That’s OK because it shows that we can stand up to scrutiny and pass with flying colours."
She said, "Democracy can only flourish when there is a free and independent media." She made the comment in relation to last week's announcement that government would amend the Libel and Defamation Act to drop criminal libel.
And she took issue with opposition leader Keith Rowley who suggested that the move was to win favour with the media.
"As soon as I made the announcement, the Leader of the Opposition shouted that we are trying to “mamaguy” the media, so they would do only nice reports on us. But you see Rowley didn’t read the proposed Amendment or if he did he didn’t understand what he read.
"Only a man with Rowley's intellect could surmise that the proposed amendment to the Libel and Defamation Act seeks to sway media to scrutinize the Government less.
"What a shameful thing to say. Rowley needs to apologise to the media for suggesting that anybody can bribe them in this way.
"You see Rowley is afraid that a stronger media would be a thorn on his side if (heaven forbid) he were to ever lead this country. "Do you remember how Rowley’s boss went with his full security detail to a radio station to intimidate two announcers? That is how the PNM treated the media, with bullying and intimidation."
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