Caption: Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles sings with Councillor Khadeem Graham. AZP News/Azlan Mohammed
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE People’s National Movement (PNM) will continue to stand in support of media practitioners during challenging times.
On Wednesday, PNM’s Public Relations Officer Faris Al-Rawi hailed the work of media practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago acknowledging times were changing with the increased use of social media.
He was addressing members of the media during the PNM’s annual Mix and Mingle event held at Balisier House in Port of Spain.
Mentioning the workers of Newsday, that stopped their printed edition recently, Al-Rawi noted the work that were accomplished for decades.
Some Newsday workers attended the event. The owners of the Newspaper has initiated winding up proceedings in court. The matter comes up for hearing again on Friday.
Addressing them Al-Rawi said, “We in the PNM salute you in particular. We know that while times may be challenging, you are going to find room again. After all, you have seen how social media can work when media is present there and we certainly always have our doors open to you and we look forward to continued engagement with you.”
He also took the opportunity to congratulate the new executive members of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) led by President Prior Beharry, Editor-in-Chief of AZP News.
Al-Rawi said, “They (AZP News) have managed to emerge through the struggles of Covid. Prior is vivid in our mind for his persistence and representation as many of you are.”
He added, “Congratulations on showing your sustainability.”
Also speaking at the event was PNM’s Political Leader Pennelope Beckles.
In her brief remarks, she thanked the media for the role they play in communicating to the public, adding that the PNM members will continue to be accessible to journalists.
Next week, the PNM will celebrate 70 years as a party and she expressed her pride at leading the party into its seventh decade.
Also present was former prime minister Stuart Young.
And Beckles also reiterated her comments made from a press conference held earlier during the day.
She said, “When a government is voted into office, it does not give you the right to bully people. It does not give you the right on Christmas Day to give people the gift of increasing fines and increasing taxes. You make your promises as you claim and at the end of the day, expectations just fell through.”
