“[…] Anthony Harris was a well-known and universally appreciated sports photographer who covered events with distinction across more than three decades for Guardian Media. “He was mortally injured when a vehicle struck him while riding around the Queen’s Park Savannah. The driver did not stop…” The following is a statement …
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 »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 »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 »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 »MATT: Media houses and public must be more aware in these times of disinformation
“Journalists have begun work on the impending local government elections and look ahead to three more in the next three years. “In order to properly serve the public interest in these times, MATT calls on all media houses to assist their journalists by investments in training, equipment, internal policies and …
Read More »MATT stands ground against Griffith criticism; condemns intimidation of media workers
“MATT condemns any form of intimidation against media workers, whether it be veiled or otherwise…” The following MATT release is in response to a statement by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, which criticised MATT Vice-President Joel Julien for the association’s missive on Thursday. The MATT statement criticised police officers for …
Read More »MATT condemns heavy-handed and unprofessional TTPS conduct in raid on Jaagriti station
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) has received a report about ‘heavy-handed and unprofessional conduct’ of officers from Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) while on duty at Radio and TV Jaagriti. According to the account of the incident available in the public domain and based on the …
Read More »MATT: Griffith must be more temperate; media cannot only report selected viewpoints
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago would like to put on record that the duty of all journalists is to report all sides of a story not just selected viewpoints. While the Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, is free to express his opinion on how journalists conduct their duties, …
Read More »“Media freedom under attack in this country”: MATT condemns TTPS “obstruction” of TV6 journalists
“MATT also notes the apparent attempt made by a member of the public to use their perceived influence to prevent the story—which the crew was in the process of completing—from being aired as a part of the station’s newscast on that day. “[…] MATT has provided details of the incident …
Read More »Attorney, Dr Crowne, joins MATT’s Cybercrime Bill steering committee
“The Steering Committee appointed by MATT to address the Cybercrime Bill 2017 is satisfied that [Dr Emir] Crowne’s legal opinions and recommendations seek to correct the concerns raised by the association about the controversial legislation. “In this regard the Steering Committee is comfortable working with Crowne to ensure that the …
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): …
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