Your presence here says there is interest in the profession and most of all the association. If that is so, I thank you. Especially at a time when we learn of the devastating news at the Newsday newspaper. This comes after months of talk and rumors…..many in the profession have been hearing of the pending closure of the paper. Now from its own pages comes confirmation.

To say it is sad is an understatement. I am not sure Newsday’s workers were ready for this. I don’t know if the management has been sharing the paper’s falling fortunes with staff and if so for how long…nevertheless this is a blow to the profession and the professionals.

It is my view there may be need for some intervention on the part of the media association and other bodies attached to media. Our colleagues may need guidance counseling even. Unfortunately this is happening in many jurisdictions and not just with print media.

We are possibly witnessing the demise of some institutions and the chipping away of opportunities, the way of life and standards. I am sure everyone here can tell a story of the compromises they have had to make to keep working, to continue the coverage of stories which are critical to the way we function.

Cut backs are now common, incisions which grossly and obscenely interfere with the quality of the product. Freelancers are usually the first to go, programmes are being starved and morale takes a beating.
Then there are the political decisions and machinations. I don’t think i have to tell you what is happening at the state media, Trinidad and Tobago Television.

We mourn for our colleagues at the Maraval road entity.  Although I recognise MATT is not a trade union, the incoming MATT executive may want to offer not just solace and some protection but real help.

This interim executive moved from a three month mandate to over two years. With no access to its accounts, as previous executives can attest. Treasurer Mark Lyndersay will tell you more on that.

So the plans we set up were…

  1. Access to accounts
  2. Visits to media houses to talk with workers and hear their concerns.

I am here to tell you that assignment was rewarding and I thank the managers at the various media houses for accomodating and facilitating those visits.

We also committed to keeping the organisation alive and present. I think we achieved that.

Through it all, it bothered me than an un-elected executive remained in charge. Nobody made a query. But our goal was always to take members to the polls and give MATT a body of people that would guide and do more than just keep it alive. We tried.

I wish to the thank the folks on the interim executive. Judy Raymond, Ira Mathur, Kandace Jackson, Gregory McBurnie, Mark Lyndersay and Robert Taylor.

I thank every one on the election committee. Paul Charles, Nicole Duke-Westfield, Soyini Grey. You all were fantastic. To those we have had to pull in for specific reasons, George Leacock in Tobago, Carla Bridgelal and Shaheeda Massiah from South, Wesley Gibbings, I am grateful.

The teams at NALIS and COSTATT for the spaces, thank you.
The caterers thank you for your kindness.
Folks this is your organisation.
Give support to the incoming executive.
Let us move forward.