Media Assocaiton tells PM Kamla to honour pledge to protect media freedom

The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) has called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to honour her pledge to protect the media's right to freedom.

In a two-page letter sent to Persad-Bissessar, MATT president Kerry Peters has asked the Prime Minister to say why talk show host Fazeer Mohammed was dismissed from the state-owned CNMG. The media association said it cannot accept the explanation that it was part of a cost cutting exercise.

Peters said MATT views Mohammed's dismissal as an attack on the freedom of the press. “The association also believes that the selection of Mr Andy Johnson to host the First Up programme is an error of judgment, given his substantive role as head of Government Information Services. It added, “The conflict of interest is obvious to all.” 

Peters told reporters Wednesday MATT is hoping for a quick response from the Prime Minister who is returning home Thursday from a three-day visit to the United States.

Peters said MATT wants to ensure freedom of the press and the rights of journalists are protected. It said media freedom is a constitutional right.

“We wish to remind you that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are clearly articulated fundamental constitutional rights of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The Media Association views very seriously any attack on those freedoms,” it said.

And MATT also reminded Persad-Bissessar of her own words. “Before being elected, you pledged on more than one occasion that your government would ensure the media in Trinidad and Tobago would remain free and would be protected from harassment and intimidation. “We call on you now to honour that commitment to freedom of the press.”

Read the story: Worth repeating: PM Kamla pledges to defend of media freedom
 
MATT vice-president Judy Raymond said it is important for the Prime Minister “to clear the air” since she is “ultimately the minister with the responsibility for information”.

She added, “We are going directly to the Prime Minister to ask her if maybe, it’s possible there is some terrible misunderstanding here."

Raymond was also concerned that CNMG's interim CEO Ken Ali has accompanied the Prime Minister on her visit to the United States. "I can’t imagine a previous CEO going along with the Prime Minister on a trip like that, in that kind of capacity,” she added.