Press freedom has held steady in TT over the last fifteen years. There is clearly more that can and should be done to improve access to information for journalists, but the vigilance of the local press and our undimmed commitment to freedom of expression ensure that media access to government officials for the purposes of cross-examining the governance process remains intact.

MATT’s position continues to be that all interactions between government and media should allow for the greatest opportunity for questioning of national issues and policy decisions in the public interest.

When the government is in doubt, it should err on the side of greater freedoms rather than restrictions.

Where restrictions must be imposed because of issues of space, security or health concerns, opportunities for live questioning and real time feedback on official announcements have already been successfully used during the pandemic and remain available to government communications teams to increase media access and engagement.

In suggesting rotating presence in constrained circumstances, if there are ten available spots for media houses and the three major television stations and three daily newspapers are present, access to the remaining four spots might be granted on a rotating basis to other practicing journalists and media houses.

Government ministers should also be discouraged from capriciously blocking journalists when they find their legitimate lines of questioning unpalatable.

MATT continues to call for clearer criteria for access by media professionals to government officials, not only at the Diplomatic Centre, a matter that should not be beyond the capabilities of the communications professionals at the Office of the Prime Minister or Communications Minister Symon DeNobrega.

In seeking to provide the best possible access, the government should not inadvertently or deliberately imply any need for hierarchy and elitism among the ranks of journalists.