"It is very sad at this stage in Trinidad and Tobago's development where we have a female Prime Minister that women in the media are being subjected to these kinds of attacks and we have heard nothing from the Government, nothing in defence of these women."
This is a statement attributed to Suzanne Shepherd, President of the Media Association of Trinidad & Tobago, in a story in the Express newspaper.
This is a statement attributed to Suzanne Shepherd, President of the Media Association of Trinidad & Tobago, in a story in the Express newspaper.
I am assuming that she was quoted accurately. The story deals with much more, which I will address at another time. Today, I need to focus on that comment.
The statement was in reference one made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a political meeting on Monday night. This is what the PM said:
"I call on the independent Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago, to not only be a watchdog body in defence of journalists, but also hold some of its members accountable for either wilfully or unwittingly misinforming the society...
"I call on MATT to be more than defenders of journalists, but also uphold old-fashioned journalism, in which the naked facts represent the holy grail."
I am being cautious because I am taking the lady's quote off a newspaper and these days we are hearings that journalists are fabricating quotes and their editors are allowing the quotes to be printed. At least that is what Roberts has stated.
"It is very sad at this stage in Trinidad and Tobago's development where we have a female Prime Minister that women in the media are being subjected to these kinds of attacks and we have heard nothing from the Government, nothing in defence of these women."
The statement was in reference one made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a political meeting on Monday night. This is what the PM said:
"I call on the independent Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago, to not only be a watchdog body in defence of journalists, but also hold some of its members accountable for either wilfully or unwittingly misinforming the society...
"I call on MATT to be more than defenders of journalists, but also uphold old-fashioned journalism, in which the naked facts represent the holy grail."
Read the story:
Earlier in the meeting, Sports Minister Anil Roberts named a female reporter at the Guardian Media and the Guardian's female editor-in-chief accusing them of distorting and fabricating stories.
He made a similar charge last Thursday and announced that she was suing the two journalists and their employer.
Read the story:
I do not believe that gender should be prostituted this way. Having a female prime minister doesn't change the fact that she is a leader who must deal fairly with everyone. There appears to be a suggestion that because Kamla is a woman she should stand up in defence of women. Does it apply even when the women are wrong?
Here again is what the Express quoted Shepherd as saying:
Here again is what the Express quoted Shepherd as saying:
"It is very sad at this stage in Trinidad and Tobago's development where we have a female Prime Minister that women in the media are being subjected to these kinds of attacks and we have heard nothing from the Government, nothing in defence of these women."
There is evidence in the public domain that the front page Guardian story was wrong. And Anil produced a document Monday to show that he never gave an interview to the paper, yet the paper printed a report that contained a direct quote from the minister.
If the women fabricated stories, made up quotes and attributed them to a government minister, then such action goes against all ethical standards of journalism and integrity. Why then should the PM be defending the parties concerned just because they are women?
If we take the argument further, should the PM defend a woman who abuses her child? Should the PM defend a woman who is corrupt? Should the PM defend a woman no matter what the circumstance BECAUSE she is a woman?
I find that insulting to all women.
With respect to the PM's statement and the reaction... well that's for another time because the focus on this commentary is on another issue.
Jai Parasram
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