MATT bouffs media

MATT also in its release, extended “empathy” to the recently fired media workers, stating it stands in solidarity with these ex-workers and is prepared to help in any way that it can.

“…While many businesses in Trinidad and Tobago are experiencing sharp declines in revenue, the news and broadcasting business model is doubly affected by flourishing social media alternatives.

The impact of social media on the bottom line was to be expected; negative impact on the traditional advertising model has been observed globally over several years,” MATT said in the release.

What has been equally apparent, the release added, is the painfully slow and piecemeal approach taken by management at national media houses to invest in new strategies, training and technology to more effectively prepare for the inevitable.

“Workers who now face the breadline might well be justified in feeling that this latest round of retrenchment (by the Express and TV6) might have been mitigated by more progressive and timely interventions.” MATT said it is urging the local media to adhere to “industrial relations best practice” and offer retrenched workers financial assistance and counseling.