Following MATT’s interventions regarding improved media access for working journalists, the executive has received a request for assistance from the Office of the President regarding the upcoming National Awards ceremonies for 2020 and 2021. The event will be be hosted at President’s House under Covid-19 protocols.

MATT is reaching out to editors, heads of news and programme directors noting the request and offering assistance in any planning and coordination efforts in which our input might prove useful.

The letter from Matt is as follows…

For the attention of the editors, programme directors and heads of news of TT media houses

We are forwarding this email at the request of Ms Cheryl Lala, Communications Adviser, to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago President regarding the coverage of the National Awards for 2020 and 2021,  hosted by Her Excellency on March 07 and 09, 2021.

The decision of how to proceed is as it always was, and is correct, in the hands of Editors.

We have included Ms Lala’s contact information which we are sure most of you have already.

MATT will continue to be a robust defender of press freedoms and media access under covid restrictions. If the executive of the association can be of assistance in shaping an approach to this situation, we stand ready to work with you in creating a coverage plan for this national event.

MATT has and will continue to intervene on the principle of access regarding covering events of public importance.

However, MATT is in no position to do more than suggest that the editorial leadership of the individual media houses find a mutually acceptable solution to the challenges that face both the President’s House and the working media in terms of access.

The original letter sent to the Media Association from President’s House is as follows…

Dear Editors,

National Awards 2020 and National Awards 2021 ceremonies will be held at President’s House from 5pm on Monday, March 7th and Wednesday, March 9th, respectively.

As there will be strict adherence to Public Health Regulations at these events, only a limited number of people may be accommodated. TTT will carry the event ‘live’ and give a feed to the other two television stations so that they too may carry it ‘live’.

I am writing to you via MATT specifically to request your assistance with getting the various media houses to agree to send a pool photographer and journalist to cover the events and to ensure this information is widely disseminated.

The Office of the President is also willing to allow camera crews (one each from TV6 and CNC3) outside the southern side of President’s House to film awardees as they arrive. Please note, in an effort to protect our National Awards recipients, most of whom are usually elderly and thus in the high-risk category, interviews with them will not be allowed.

The OTP looks forward to MATT’s positive response to our request for assistance.

Thank you and best regards. Please do not hesitate to contact me. My telephone number is included, below. 

Cheryl Lala

Communications Adviser to

Her Excellency the President