MATT: Code of ethics coming

THE Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) yesterday disclosed that a code of ethics will soon be established for all local journalists. Speaking with reporters during a break in the Caribbean Media Conference at the University of the West Indies’ Learning Resource Centre in St Augustine, newly-elected MATT president John Victor said: “This executive of MATT will be giving serious consideration to the establishment of a code of ethics for journalists.”

Victor agreed with earlier remarks by Prime Minister Patrick Manning about the need for journalists to adhere to proper standards in the daily conduct of their duties. “The Prime Minister is right. We have to pay attention to standards and we should be the first to admit that standards are dropping and we have to be constantly vigilant and pay attention to standards,” he stated. The call for a code of ethics for journalists was first issued by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Geoffrey Henderson, when he addressed last month’s inauguration of the new MATT executive.

Asked about criticisms levelled against the local media by United States Ambassador Dr Roy Austin, at the opening of the Commonwealth-Caribbean Media Exhibition at UWI on Sunday, Victor replied: “I thought that if the American Ambassador is displeased about the press coverage he is well within his rights to do so. I don’t think it was the right forum though, but we don’t dictate to the American president (George W Bush) where he must make his remarks. I think that it beholds us as press people to be vigilant, fair, accurate and to uphold the tenets of our profession.”