‘Don’t undermine free press’

THE ASSOCIATION of Carib-bean Media Workers (ACM) has noted the concerns expressed by media organisations in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago following public statements by President Bharat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Patrick Manning respectively, regarding perceived shortcomings in the work of journalists in the two countries.

In a statement yesterday the ACM said while it agrees that national leaders and societies have the “unfettered right to critically examine and comment upon the work of the media, the remedies prescribed to deal with alleged professional deficiencies ought not to undermine free expression and the free press.” The statement continued: “We have in the past expressed some disquiet with the proposed pursuit of more restrictive broadcast legislation in Guyana and note that President Jagdeo now appears even more willing to impose such measures as a punitive device against recalcitrant sections of the national media.  “It is noteworthy that this approach has in the recent past enjoyed bipartisan support. “We are also concerned that Prime Minister Manning has spoken of providing ‘ammunition’ of an undetermined variety to his political supporters to deal with perceived attacks on him by sections of the media in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We believe the Prime Minister should qualify his remarks in an attempt to prevent any inappropriate responses that may result. The region is rife with examples of misplaced political enthusiasm either wilfully or unwittingly incited by politicians. Examples can be drawn from the experiences of media professionals in Venezuela and Haiti to support this assertion. “As is the case in Guyana, the response of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday to Mr Manning’s statement on this matter, suggests an attitude that transcends the political divide. “As our programme of work for 2004 suggests, we believe there is a need to develop higher professional standards in the media and to promote notions of ethics and media responsibility. But the penalty for failing to do so cannot be any further erosion of free expression and a free press.”