T&T Communications Minister addresses Caribbean media practitioners

Newly appointed Communications Minister in Trinidad & Tobago Maxi Cuffie told Caribbean media practitioners, that his government will take notice of the positions that are articulated at the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) 18th Biennial Assembly as it formulates its final position on the role of State Media.

Cuffie is a former media worker in Trinidad & Tobago.

“As a new government, we tend to the view that state media is an oxymoron and that the government should have no role in owning media of any kind,” he said. “That is why we have moved to install independent directors at the state-owned media companies, as we chart a new direction for these organisations. At the same time, we respect those who see a role for the state in media ownership and no doubt, the views expressed today, will assist in refining our final positions on the issue.”

This session, he said, is “an important one as we all chart, in our respective areas, the way forward on the future role of State Media, not just in Trinidad and Tobago, but in the Caribbean.”

“As the newly appointed Minister of Communications, my first priority, in tandem with the mandate of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, is to restore confidence in existing State Media and ensure, that it is devoid of political agenda, propaganda and politicking as we move towards to a new model. The state, through CNMG, GISL and Parliament, owns three television stations, four radio stations and three cable channels and, in the last year alone, spent more than 90 million dollars to keep its media operations going. In a contracting economy and, with depressed energy prices, this appears untenable. We need to decide whether this is a good use of government resources, while each day people are crying for better roads, houses and drainage,” he stated.

He continued,”This, moreso, in a country in which already, there are thirty-seven radio stations, ten television stations, three daily newspapers, the Internet, hundreds of cable TV channels and more, much more to come when we go digital. I challenge anyone to assert that, after more than 90 million dollars spent, they feel either better informed, entertained or even better prepared by state media to face the challenges, we know, are confronting us today. Let us be reminded, as media practitioners and disseminators of information, we must do what is necessary to regain or enhance the confidence of those we are entrusted to inform. We need to keep faith with those who depend on us to provide trusted, timely and reliable information.

He added, “The People’s National Movement in its 2015 manifesto, that is now government policy, has pledged to restore honesty, openness, accountability and integrity to the governance process. We expect, that a free and independent media, will be required to hold us to these standards.”

Cuffie welcomed media representatives from across the region who attending the conference.

“In closing, let me take the opportunity to welcome our regional and international visitors to this country, with the most thriving media environment in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago, is a country where freedom of the press and freedom of expression, are jealously guarded by media workers and the man in the street,” he stated.
“Your work will ensure that this will continue to be so. It is my hope that this session will further strengthen our Local, Regional, and International relationships. I know that it will also inform the decisions taken, as we, in Trinidad and Tobago, engage the discussion as to what will eventually become of our own state media.”