By Sue-Ann Wayow

NEWLY-elected president of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) Prior Beharry is vowing that MATT will seek to protect the profession of journalism in Trinidad and Tobago.

“MATT’s constitution states that we have to promote journalism and protect journalism in this country,” Beharry said on Monday in an interview on TTT.

Beharry was the one of the first guests on the new TTT morning show Trinidad and Tobago Today hosted by Virmala Balkaran.

He said MATT will be looking to increase its membership taking into consideration the changing landscape of media.

Beharry, who is the Editor-in-Chief of AZP News, said he needed to have an online platform in the changing media landscape as he answered questions concerning the closure of the Newsday newspaper.

He said the hard copy of newspapers was phasing out.

“The world has changed now into a more digital focus. There is a transition taking place now in the world and that transition is… we have to decide what is happening in terms of media… how do we get good news out, how do we perform as a media entity.”

Media houses will have to decide if to change with the times and utilise digital platforms, Beharry said. He also emphasised that MATT was not a trade union.

Beharry said MATT was concerned about the manner in which the Newsday staff was treated with the devastating news.

Newsday staff was told on Friday that that day would be the last for a printed issue.

He called again on the owners of Newsday to ensure that staff members were properly compensated and given proper severance benefits and even counselling as a holistic approach was needed.

When asked how could media houses maintain integrity if some were struggling financially, Beharry replied, advertising and AI could help once regulated.

“The number one tool of a journalist is the truth… accuracy,” he said. That was a main differentiating factor between a journalist and a blogger or someone who was just a content creator. That in addition to getting more than one side of a story, the journalist said.

AI should be used to enhance work not to generate stories and Beharry encouraged the use of AI to better assist journalists.

@azpnews.com

Newly-elected President of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) Prior Beharry is interviewed on the first programme of Trinidad and Tobago Today on TTT with host Virmala Balkaran. Prior Beharry is also the Editor-in-Chief of AZP News. Via TTT @tttliveonline @priorbeharry4 #MATT #newpresident #ttmedia #journalism #interview

♬ original sound – AZP News – AZP News

He also affirmed that journalists, regardless of public pressure or the political party in power will continue to ask the questions which the public wants answers for.

“We will continue to do that in a fearless manner and in a fair manner and that is the point that we have to make,” Beharry said.

And his advice to young journalists, “You have to have a passion for news and you have to love your country. You have to be able to want to report the truth.”

They must also be able to sense a story from anywhere, be aware of everything that was taking place and verify sources.

Beharry was elected as MATT’s President last Saturday as he and his team won all seven executive positions.