In Pursuit of Freedom of the Press...

It is hereby recognised and declared that in Trinidad and Tobago there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimantion by reason of race, origin, colour, religion or sex, the following fundamental human rights and freedoms, namely:-

a. the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law;

b. the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law;

c. the right of the individual to respect for his private and family life;

d. the right of the individual to equality of treatment from any public authority in the exercise of any functions;

e. the right to join political parties and to express political views;

f. the right of a parent or guardian to provide a school of his own choice for the education of his child or ward;

g. freedom of movement;

h. freedom of conscience and religious belief and observance;

i. freedom of thougt and expression;

j. freedom of association and assembly; and

k. freedom of the press.


Editors, Publishers and Broadcasters are granted a sacred trust on behalf of the people of Trinidad & Tobago guaranteeing freedom of the press enshrined in the Constitution.

A robust and functioning democracy requires an independent media free of encumbrances and undue influence dedicated to serving a free and informed population; any attempt to influence or control the functioning of said media hijacks democracy for special interests and subverts the will of the people.

While one agrees that media needs to function as a capital enterprise, safeguards must be put in place to prevent undue influence over content in exchnage for financial support.

In pursuit of a free press, accredited print & broadcast news media should be governed by legislation that limits advertising control or attempts to influence media content.

Special and external interests should not be allowed to pervert the freedom of information through financial control, and safeguards need to be put in place so as to eliminate any such attempt or design.

All parties found guilty of attempting or perpetrating such acts should face onerous penalties not limited to fines and loss of access.

Blind trusts or other mechanism that disconnects the sponsor from the actual news and specific placement, especially at Prime Time or on Front Page News should be created for this purpose.

ALL Government and State advertising should be spent equally across the board at all accredited broadcast and print agencies to limit State control and the use of the free media as a voice of the Government at that time.

While this does not suppose to be the only solution, it is, at least,

Something to think about...