“[…] 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 »MATT president vows to continue ‘business of the association’, as Javeed, Dowrich and Hosein quit executive
Three of the seven members of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) executive resigned their positions today citing ‘a divergence of views’ with the leadership. Vice-president Asha Javeed, assistant secretary Laura Dowrich and treasurer Kalain Hosein formally announced their departure to the group in writing. President Ira Mathur …
Read More »He loved sport, helping people, jazz, and corn beef… Remembering ‘Tony’ Harford
“[…] ‘Tony’ Harford was a person who loved his sport. He was a person who loved people, he loved to help people. “Basically his life was about those two things…” Former Northern Football Association (NFA) president, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member, veteran media anchor and radio presenter, …
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 »Roget accused of ‘inciting racial hatred’ against media; JTUM: It was ‘class critique’ not race
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) today referred Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) leader Ancel Roget to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) for ‘racist remarks directed towards certain members of the media fraternity’ during a JTUM press conference at Paramount Building, San Fernando on 4 August. Roget, while …
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 »Noble: ‘Who let the blogs in?’ The risk of MATT’s Devant defence
The Police’s seizure of Mr Devant Maharaj’s phone in pursuit of information, re the recent credible bomb threat, raises important questions about the evolution of the media and the preservation of press freedom. The importance does not arise merely on the issue of the action taken but we need to …
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 …
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