PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, insisting that she is not attacking press freedom, has called on the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) to rein in “rogue” members of the profession.
“l am not afraid of taking the risk associated with saying the following, which by no means should be construed as an attack on media freedom, but the evidence before me is troubling and it should trouble all of us as citizens,” said Persad-Bissessar said at the Monday night forum of her ruling United National Congress (UNC).
She said that as the Fourth Estate, as journalism is referred to, is in itself a political force in any democracy and its integrity is based on being fair and unbiased.
“And when that integrity is under attack by a few rouge elements within the profession, we are all at risk, no matter what side of the political divide you stand on.
“The evidence we have been seeing is that some so-called media professionals are not being fair to this government and are not reporting on the achievements and successes of the government,” she added.
Persad-Bissessar said journalists have now resorted to distorting the facts and that in the interest and cause of good journalism and journalistic integrity, the profession of reporting needs to be taken to newer heights of personal and institutional professionalism and excellence. (CMC)
