PM Kamla reaffirms commitment to media freedom, says Fazeer was not fired

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday denied that Fazeer Mohammed was fired from State-owned Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG). And she reiterated her commitment to media freedom.

Mohammed's removal from the morning show has caused an uproar in Trinidad and Tobago with the country's media association demanding to know what really caused the removed of the popular talk show host.

CNMG's initial reaction has been that it was a cost-cutting exercise and the Prime Minister told reporters that is the rerason for the change. 

The interim CEO of the company, Ken Ali, told reporters Thursday Mohammed will continue to have a role in the station in the areas of sport and youth programming. and he said it is unfortunate that the matter has become so controversial.

Read the story: Ken takes responsibility for removal of talk show host, has role for Fazeer at CNMG

Persad-Bissessar, who returned home from a three-day visit to the United States Thursday spoke with reporters about the matter at Piarco International Airport. 

She was emphatic that what happened at CNMG was not politically motivated and was not an act of religious persecution.

Persad-Bissessar said Mohammed's removal from the morning program 'First Up' was part of the company's restructuring and cost-cutting measures.

"I have been advised further, that management did not terminate Mr Mohammed's appointment, that he was informed that there would be further discussions with respect to placing him where they felt his competencies would be best and therefore I am not of the view that it is a matter that is an attack on the freedom of the press," she said.

Persad-Bissessar added that several other employees at the State-owned company have been subjected to similar changes.

"I would say first up that I remain committed to freedom of the press. My Government is committed to ensuring freedom of the press and I want to get that up-front. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the free press is vital in a democracy.

"A free press is indeed the fifth estate, as you know, and I have always championed that course for freedom of the press from day one when I was sworn in. You would recall my statements and of course my actions on that day," she said.