Gayelle stops Carnival 2010 broadcasts after legal threats

Trinidad and Tobago's Gayelle cultural television channel has stopped broadcasting 2010 carnival events following legal threats from state-owned television station, Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG).

CNMG has insisted that it was standing on firm legal grounds when it asked Gayelle to stop the broadcasts.

The station's CEO, Ingrid Issac, told the Trindad Guardian the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and the Special Interests Groups (SIGs) were very clear that they had sold exclusive 2010 broadcast rights for all Carnival events, which fell under the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco), the National Carnival Bands Association, (NCBA) and Pan Trinbago.

She told the paper CNMG had invited media to share in the live or extended coverage for Carnival 2010 by entering into a “contractual agreement” with CNMG.

The paper quoted Issac as saying that CNMG never made "any attempt to cover everything ourselves...Many radio and television stations entered into contracts with us, and they did so with our permission.”

Isaac charged that Gayelle has been misleading its viewers and insisted that the station's coverage was illegal.

Isaac said CNMG's legal moves were to protect "the creative and legal rights" of the creators of Carnival.

The Guardian said Gayelle executive directot Errol Fabien agreed to stop the broadcast because Gayelle doesn't have the resources to fight back.

But it says Fabien is demanding to see the document giving exclusive rights to the state television service, saying that he wants to challenge "those people who gave the rights to CNMG...There’s a lot to be accounted for. This has never happened before. We can’t let this slip through the crevices at all.”