Marshall McLuhan, Canadian educator and philosopher, published work in 1964 which became fundamental to understanding the media in the electronic age—even though electronic communication, as we know it, had not yet been invented. He created the famous phrases ‘global village’ and ‘the medium is the message’. McLuhan posited, in summary, …
Read More »Noble: ‘Good guys’ and closed doors—how abusers operate
‘The things that happen to people we will never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets’ — Lee Harper, To Kill a Mockingbird. This quote came back to life this week as we tried to digest the horrors of domestic violence in our land. We attempt …
Read More »‘I chase bad men!’ How the late Andrew Jennings changed investigative sport journalism
One of my most vivid memories of Andrew Jennings came on our second meeting, after a media conference at the Trinidad Hilton in the build-up to the 2001 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. It was an elegant event, attended by then Fifa president Sepp Blatter, with every …
Read More »‘Unscientific, lazy, sloppy, illogical, dangerous, and misleading!’ Dr Browne slams Express’ Sinopharm experiment
“[…] Instead of an indictment of Sinopharm, the approach of the Express in this matter offers an indictment of the standard of the Newspaper’s editorial process. “Even if a hapless journalist scribbles such a sloppy attempt at an article, how on earth could a newspaper of such vaunted history and …
Read More »Express stands firm on Sinopharm story, despite criticism from PAHO, St Augustine Medical, China embassy and PM
The Trinidad Express has not backed down from its controversial investigative piece into the efficacy of vaccines being administered locally, despite criticism from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the laboratory used to ‘test’ the protection offered by vaccines. Yesterday, in a story titled ‘Putting vaccines to the test’, …
Read More »China Embassy: Express Sinopharm report ‘completely a farce’ which ‘violated journalism ethics’
“[…] This most irresponsible media report has blatantly ignored plenty of the world-recognised scientific researches, distorted the facts, violated journalism ethics, created public panic and meant to undermine the resolve and actions of the Trinidad and Tobago people in their brave battle against this pandemic at this critical moment…” The …
Read More »Demming: Griffith’s low jibe at interviewer epitomises T&T’s lowered bar for public discourse
In a recent media interview, the interviewee was asked this very direct question: ‘Have you ever accepted a bribe for a firearm?’ Gary Griffith, former commissioner of police, former government minister, former senator, former captain in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force who is now husband, father and private citizen, …
Read More »Dear Editor: The media must beware of unhelpful ‘post-truths’ about mental health
“[…] I had a problem when she said, ‘No matter how privileged or happy your circumstances are, most humans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.’ “No degree of latitude from journalistic licence should be allowed about that statement. It is incorrect—not just because I am a psychiatrist saying so…” The following …
Read More »‘A stellar performer and consummate professional’; Veteran journalist Errol Pilgrim passes away
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago is saddened to learn of the passing of veteran media personality Errol Pilgrim. Pilgrim passed away this morning at the Eric Williams Medical Complex in Mt Hope after undergoing surgery. Described as a consummate professional by those who worked with him, Pilgrim was …
Read More »Judiciary: Guardian report on ‘correction’ to Kangaloo report could undermine courts
“[…] As any seasoned attorney would know, however, this is of the nature of errors for which provision is made in the rules for simple correction by the Registrar. This was done. “[…] To suggest any nefarious intent or conspiracy is to seek to undermine the independence of the judiciary …
Read More »MATT condemns ‘Nicki Minaj’s celebrity gangsterism’ towards Guardian reporter
The following is a press statement from outgoing Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) president Dr Sheila Rampersad: Nikki Minaj’s celebrity gangsterism towards Guardian Media Ltd’s (GML) reporter, Sharlene Rampersad is textbook cyberbullying and intimidation of a free press in a young democracy. While Ms Minaj may be justified …
Read More »Noble: The Bottom Line—employees aren’t disposable elements or puppets on a string
Reading is dangerous; it can lead you to challenge things around you in unexpected but exciting ways. Or it can lead to a severe state of the blahs! One expects those anointed by the mass media to use their time and space to provide insights, moving their readers to actions …
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