Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 16/Jul 04:45

I stood in defence of a free media

THE EDITOR: Praise the almighty deities and ring the bell for freedom of the press! I give thanks to all of my fellow One Caribbean Media (OCM) shareholders who voted resolutely to reject the appointees being proposed by government. Without calling names and with no intention of casting aspersions on anyone, I must say people stained themselves by taking basket from this administration. In so doing, a clear message – millions strong – was sent, that citizens when threatened will riot via the ballot, through proxy and if need be, in person. Calling out the elephant in the room, the establishment cannot be allowed to meddle in freedom of the press. They have their arms in certain radio stations where the prime minister goes to wash his mouth, and that's all well and good, as one can simply turn to another radio station or just switch off and listen to blissful silence. What was government aiming at in proposing its own directors? Was the plan to censor what OCM's media outlets publish, broadcast and show on its news? Was the plan to somehow micromanage this arm of the media? When it comes to the media, Government's reach should be limited to TTT, which generally has nothing to show. Its news is all good where Government is concerned. This government has shown a preference for you, once you sing from its hymn book. Let it be known, like the Privy Council, the media remains the last bastion of defence that most ordinary citizens have. Only the media will investigate corruption. It was the media that blasted the Reshmi Ramnarine appointment in the SSA, and it was the same media which blew the lid on the latest shenanigans in the SSA under this government. It is the media that highlights the horrid conditions people in St Julien's Village are going through after their bridge collapsed last week and many had to use boats to get to and from their village. Do you really think people put in place by government would stay quiet and allow pictures and stories to get through on how impoverished some people are and the current conditions they are forced to live through? Would certain letters to the editor ever get published under the watch of people put in place by the administration? Thankfully, I and my fellow shareholders stood strong and by our votes, repelled this move. Bless you all. Attack with full force, using the untrammelled right to publish! LINDA CAPILDEO St James The post I stood in defence of a free media appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.