MATT says it has no political agenda; not so says Devant Maharaj

The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) has stated that it has no political agenda and has cautioned Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar about what it says appears to be political interference in the state-owned CNMG.

In a letter to the Persad-Bissessar the media body said, "We understand that there are plans to remove other journalists from the CNMG newsroom—a move that appears to portend political interference in what should be a State-owned but free and independent media house."

It noted that over many years, "successive administrations have been responsible for unwarranted attempts to intimidate and muzzle journalists and media practitioners...The executive wants to make it clear that the Media Association has no political agenda. This is a matter of principle," MATT said in the letter written by its president Kerry Peters.

But Devant Maharaj, who is organising an alternate media association disagrees.

He says MATT has been associated with the PNM and has carried a pro-PNM agenda. Maharaj is inviting media practitioners to join a new group, the Association of Independent Media of Trinidad and Tobago (AIMtt).

He insists that MATT's position in defence of sacked CNMG talk show host Fazeer Mohammed is "politically motivated".

Maharaj is supported of CNMG's decision to dismiss Mohammed,calling it "quite reasonable". He said Mohammed's salary as a morning talk-show host was close to $20,000 a month. "CNMG was at the feeding trough of the national treasury with high salaries of the likes of Mr Mohammed," he said.

"I am appreciative that Mr Ken Ali was given the mandate to bring down costs and the restructuring exercise started with Mr Mohammed. CNMG is not accountable based on their sales. They receive salaries based on the Government's subvention to them. Private sector media houses are not so fortunate," Maharaj said.

Mohammed told the Trinidad Express, "Mr Maharaj is entitled to his position, but I fundamentally disagree with everything he said."

In a related development, the former head of the Government Information Services (GISL) told the Express the government should sell CNMG since it serves no useful puruse. He said government has no business owning media and noted that GISL serves government's information needs.