“This friend has a protection order against her brother, whose behaviour is becoming increasingly unpredictable. She told me that she had been to the police station to report yet another round of threats from him and informed—or reminded—the police of the protection order. “The officer in charge of the station …
Read More »AG’s Cambridge Analytica probe is “misuse of power;” UNC insists TTPS and not JSC should investigate
“We support an investigation by the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Integrity Commission, who are the appropriate persons to conduct investigations into allegations of breaches of the law. They are charged with the legal authority and responsibility for conducting fair and transparent investigations that can …
Read More »MATT offers LGBTQI “sensitivity” training for journalists, declines to “point fingers”
“Rather than point fingers at media houses or individuals, MATT has taken the decision to focus on increasing sensitivity and awareness in coverage of LGBT issues in the media.” The following media statement on LGBTQI sensitivity training for journalists was issued by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT): …
Read More »Dear Editor: Fear factor; the Guardian’s disturbing headline story on Michelle-Lee Ahye
“Irrespective of where one stands on LGBTQ rights, the story was shameful. It demeaned one of our island’s greatest athletes [Michelle-Lee Ahye] for no countervailing journalistic purpose. Not only was the premise of the story flawed, the merits of it too.” The following Letter to the Editor on today’s Trinidad …
Read More »Dear Editor: Recognising human rights of others is not a zero-sum game
“What we often fail to realise is that human rights are not a zero-sum game and recognising rights on the left does not remove rights on the right. “Recognising the human rights of former slaves to be free did not diminish the human rights of the former colonials to freedom. …
Read More »Dear Editor: Why President Weekes should use her bouffs sparingly
“The thing about bouffs, though, is that they are a peculiarly ineffective means of communication. Often, they roll right off the back of the person at whom they are directed. In worst-case scenarios, such as when they come from a President, they can draw lines in the sand and raise monkey glands. “Just refer back to the Price vs the President situation.” …
Read More »BOOM! Bye bye, buggery laws; High Court declares sections 13 and 16 unconstitutional
Justice Rampersad: “The claimant, and others who express their sexual orientation in a similar way, cannot lawfully live their life, their private life, nor can they choose their life partners or create the families that they wish. To do so would be to incur the possibility of being branded a …
Read More »False PLOTT! President Weekes slams misinformation on her perceived role in Smith sacking
“Her Excellency is greatly distressed and dismayed by this fabrication, particularly in light of her reminder to citizens and the media in her Inauguration Address of their duty to report responsibly, which includes avoiding disseminating misinformation.” The following release from the Office of the President comes in response to a …
Read More »Dear Editor: Secrets, Smith, and State resources; why D/Martin Central MP’s belated defence is shameless
“Yet now, after he is fired and humiliated, he can’t wait to talk to a non-legal, non-binding committee, who he is confident will vindicate him? “Let us be clear: no committee can vindicate Smith at this stage. That opportunity has already been forfeited and he should be ashamed for trying …
Read More »Fixin T&T: Rowley must remove Darryl pending investigation of sexual harassment claims
“On the heels of the disappointing hands-off approach taken in the matter of the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Government-appointed Angostura Chairman Dr Rolph Balgobin, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister Stuart Young have sought to robustly though ill-advisedly justify the alleged use of public funds to settle a matter …
Read More »Francesca, Rampersad and Lyndersay appointed to MATT Cybercrime Bill steering committee
The following media statement by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) on the proposed Cybercrime Bill was issued on Saturday 24 March, 2018: Today the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago appointed a steering committee to address deep concerns regarding upcoming Cybercrime legislation which has the potential to …
Read More »Dear Editor: A veteran media worker points to alleged abuses of power by Fourth Estate
“One late September weekend in 2017, a local TV news anchor ‘switched gears’ to a packaged story about a central Trinidad resident, whose home had been ‘ravaged’ by flooding, never mind he and his family were still living in it. The camera showed scenes of damage as the voice of the homeowner …
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