United National Congress (UNC) politician and former minister of agriculture, Devant Maharaj, has failed to convince the San Fernando High Court of Justice that he is a journalist who is being unfairly kept out of press briefings by the Ministry of Communication and its line minister, Senator Donna Cox. Justice …
Read More »MFO Covid-19 study: High satisfaction in gov’t and Health Ministry, less trust in media
“[…] While international media is the top source for information on the outbreak, the public also places focus on local television channels, and government websites. Locally, government sources take precedence, with the Ministry of Health being considered the most trustworthy source. “[…] Despite the fear and concern for economic well-being, there is …
Read More »World Press Freedom Day: Shrinking T&T media faces greatest challenge in Covid-19
“[…] The health crisis is exacerbating longstanding tensions between the institution of the free press and governments here and around the world. Authoritarian impulses, single-source information flow, privacy incursions, political polarisation, hostility towards the media and shrinking resources in the wake of Covid-19, which will further impoverish the quality of …
Read More »Noble: Public trust and press conferences; does more info mean greater transparency or insecurity?
The scale and speed of the Covid-19 disease are unsettlingly apocalyptic. A now-familiar question is: have you ever seen anything like this in your lifetime? The short answer is no. I have lived through the assassination of John F Kennedy when we were sent home from school; the 9/11 event, …
Read More »Non-essential workers ordered home from 30 March; Gov’t addresses blanks on first Covid-19 death
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley advised today that only ‘essential workers’ should report to work between 30 March and 15 April. For the rest, the message was: stay at home. However, Rowley stressed, on multiple occasions, that he was not proposing a state of emergency, and he criticised a Trinidad …
Read More »Young slams media, ‘washes hands’ of Trinbagonians stranded abroad; Dr Hinds offers ‘community spread’ info
Minister of National Security Stuart Young continued his criticism of the media today at a press conference to update the public on the country’s battle with Covid-19, as he suggested local journalists were being irresponsible by interviewing citizens stranded abroad who are desperate to return home. The government shut the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Express raid shows TTPS has found another loophole after Sedition Act knock back
“[…] Now that the police can no longer bring charges under the Sedition Act, they are going for the vague charge of ‘Tipping Off’ found in section 51 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2000. “A quick review of the Act showed that the charge of ‘Tipping off’ is designed …
Read More »‘A unique light gone too soon…’ Remembering Cordielle Street
“Loved by many, confidante to most, Cordielle’s was a unique light gone too soon… Cordielle was fearless, beautiful, and feisty. With strong moral compass, she lived a life of integrity and had little patience for games…” The following is a eulogy by former TV6 producer Caroline Onikute to close friend, journalist …
Read More »PEA claims ignorance of reporter’s race before ‘half pint house negro’ slur, case heads to Tribunal
A case of racially-charged ‘offensive behaviour’ filed by TV6 journalist Kejan Haynes against then Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) political leader Phillip Edward Alexander will be referred to a Tribunal for adjudication, after the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) rejected Alexander’s defence and a conciliatory meeting between the two parties failed to …
Read More »Noble: The media and public expectations; why public figures require more scrutiny
I am very grateful to both Earl Best and Cliff Bertrand for their extensive comments on my earlier piece. Because their input raises important points, and because I am indeed a passionate democrat (as Earl described me), it is befitting that some response be provided. It is also important to …
Read More »MATT: Sedition Act potentially criminalises journalists, activists, etc; Gov’t should review and repeal
“MATT sees the Act as potentially criminalising journalists, media houses, public interest activists, trade unionists, artists, bloggers and assorted social media commentators. “[…] We view current activation of certain provisions of the Sedition Act as, disturbingly, another effort by the State to constrain fundamental rights of free speech and press freedom…” The …
Read More »Media monitor: An off-Monday for voice, vision and print? You’re kidding!
Jinks. India’s Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane’s all-formats skipper, has often called him by that nickname in post-match interviews. But since he has made a splash or two in the Indian Premier League and occasionally been a stand-out performer for the Indians over the last few years, Kohli’s handful of familiar …
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