IPI, Ms. Alison Bethel McKenzie, pays courtesy call on Attorney General
Executive Director of IPI, Ms. Alison Bethel McKenzie, pays courtesy call on Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, SC, to discuss upcoming World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013.
International Press Institute, Executive Director, Ms. Alison Bethel McKenzie, paid a courtesy call on Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, SC, to discuss a broad range of matters concerning freedom of the press and to promote awareness for the upcoming World Press Freedom Day celebrated on May 3, 2013 which commemorates strides made by the press and press freedom.
The Attorney General warmly received Ms. Bethel McKenzie and was happy to continue the dialogue that was started when the Government hosted the International Press Institute World Congress 2012 during June 2012 for the Americas. Back then the Attorney General meet with a delegation headed by Ms. Maria de Carmen Garay, Consultant for MCSQUARED, to discuss the constitutional right of the freedom of the press in the Commonwealth Caribbean.
A number of issues were raised at today’s meeting, including the abolition of criminal libel and the exemption of journalists from the Data Protection Act. The need for journalists to protect their sources of information and remain outside the regular cut and thrust of adversarial political debate was also a matter which the Attorney General raised in the context of recent developments in the local media.
The Attorney General reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a free press and said that recent events in the Government underscored the strength of the independent media in Trinidad and Tobago and the vital role it played in the development of democracy in a free and fair society that is committed to the rule of law. He pledged his assistance to further the work of the International Press Institute and joined with Ms. Bethel McKenzie in praising the excellent work done by outgoing Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association President, Ms. Kiran Maharaj, who had aggressively pursued the agenda for a free press and the protection of her members.
29 April, 2013
Ministry of the Attorney General
REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO