The MATT (Media Association of T&T) membership has raised questions over the criteria used by the PM’s office to allow journalists to cover press briefings at the Diplomatic Centre.

The MATT executive agrees that concerns regarding the selection process for attendance the Diplomatic Centre are valid and must be addressed to ensure fair access to all media practitioners in the public interest.

With the relaxation of pandemic related restrictions, the Prime Minister’s office has yet to provide either guidance or criteria for access to press conferences held at the Diplomatic Centre in St Anns.

If interested media houses are denied access to question the Prime Minister about his announcements and a list of specially invited media guides invitations, there should be clarity about what qualifies one media house as “special” over another.

All practising journalists should have an opportunity to question the government in person, and if space or social distancing is a concern, as it was during pandemic restrictions, then an opportunity to rotate journalists for access should be the norm.