By Prior Beharry
MINISTER of Communications Symon de Nobirga says there is no Government policy that affords State-owned TTT preferential treatment over private media houses to events.
His statement on Tuesday comes after Kejan Haynes, of Newsat7tt, reported that TTT was given exclusive coverage of Venezuelans nationals leaving Trinidad and Tobago to return home on Saturday at the Cruise Ship Complex in Port of Spain.
A report on Newsat7tt, stated that de Nobriga has been instructing officials to give TTT unfettered access to assignments and barring other media houses from some locations and also not inviting them to certain assignments.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar also issued a release on Tuesday condemning the banning of private media from covering certain events.
Haynes said off camera on Saturday, de Nobriga said there was instruction to only give TTT access to the repatriation exercise.
He said de Nobriga said it was done to give TTT “a fighting chance.”
In his release, de Nobriga said, “I have seen the news report circulating and it is unfortunate that Kejan Haynes took seriously a statement made by me lightheartedly and supposedly off the record at the repatriation exercise on Saturday.
“Given the large numbers and in keeping with the health protocols it was determined that only TTT and the Information Division would have access; however the Director of Government Communications had been instructed to ensure that all footage of the event be made available to all media houses once they requested same.
“As Mr Haynes knows very well there is no policy that provides or affords the state-owned media – TTT or any arm of the Information Division – preferred, or exclusive access to any events or activities and I am surprised that Kejan should infer otherwise.”
Persad-Bissessar said the policy of barring private media was tantamount to state censorship of independent media.
She said, “And it is yet another glaring red flag that this PNM government views itself as a dictatorial regime that is above the rule of law and doesn’t need to answer to the public.
“State media house Trinidad and Tobago Television plays a vital role in the media landscape of our nation. Its duty is to provide information free from external commercial and political influences. It is clear that the Rowley regime has now reduced it to nothing more than an organ of political propaganda.
“Currently, the citizens of our nation are under a State of Emergency where certain rights and freedoms have been suspended. During this critical time, citizens must have trust in the institutions which are meant to serve their interests.
“By implementing this draconian measure the PNM has broken public trust in the information the state disseminates.
“I call on all citizens to stand up for our democracy and demand the Rowley regime immediately end this grotesque attempt to silence our media.”
President of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Sheila Rampersad said that she is aware of the matter and her organisation was considering its response.
