UNC Natex Member, Bheemal Ramlogan calls on Express to retract false comment and apologise
National Executive Member of the United National Congress, Bheemal Ramlogan is calling on the Trinidad Express Newspaper to retract and apologise for a malicious, false statement printed in the Tuesday 29th, September 2020 edition of their daily newspaper.
On Monday instant, Mr. Ramlogan replied to a social media poll posted by the Express Newspaper Facebook page which asked, “Do you think Kamla- Persad Bissessar should step aside as the political leader of the United National Congress at the party’s November internal election?”
Mr. Ramlogan responded to the poll saying “NO! Kamla remains the best choice for leader, I can’t help but wonder with all the chaos that’s going on in the country right now, why the media is trying to distract by meddling in the UNC’s internal business.”
Despite his statement showing strong support for the leadership of Mrs. Persad Bissessar, the Express printed on the Tuesday 29th September, 2020 edition of their newspaper that Mr. Ramlogan said “Yes. I think it’s time to groom some up-and-coming young leaders who will take that party forward that will be able to draw the undecided voters. She can stay on as adviser and mentor.”
By this, the Trinidad Express Newspaper therefore not only misrepresented the view of Mr. Ramlogan but raised questions about his character and integrity.
Mr. Ramlogan issued the following statement:
“It is disheartening to read the Express newspaper’s malicious comment on their Tuesday 29th, September, 2020 edition of their daily newspaper, falsely printed under my name. It is rather unfortunate that the newspaper made such a convenient error with the only National Executive Member to comment on the poll.
Having been initially elected in 2015 by over 16,000 votes and uncontested in 2017, such a misleading comment can be interpreted as an attempt to bring my career and my relationship with members of the party into disrepute.
I have spent the greater part of this year working in the media as an evening news anchor and journalist so I understand the responsibility of accurate reporting. It is therefore shocking that a large media house could make such a dangerous ‘mistake’.
My initial comment on the poll questioned why the Express newspaper is meddling in UNC’s internal business and this ‘misrepresentation’ of my comment further raises my curiosity as to whether the Express Newspaper operates under some agenda.
I have been advised as to the possibility of taking legal action against the Trinidad Express Newspaper as it may have impact upon my political career. I therefore request an immediate retraction and apology from the Trinidad Express Newspaper.
I wish to again publicly endorse Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar as the Political Leader of the United National Congress. She is the only person capable of leading the party during this tough period. Her leadership attracted over 309,000 votes in the 39 seats contested at this year’s General Election and under her leadership the party made inroad into non-traditional UNC areas.”