MATT says sorry to members

THE Media Association of TT (MATT) Executive, in a statement on Wednesday, apologised to its members for a lack of consultation ahead of appearing before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on the Cyber Crime Bill 2017 on Monday.

A MATT consultation with its members will be held on March 24. MATT explained how a team was gathered to face the JSC, and why its membership was not consulted. The statement said the invitation was sent on March 2, and MATT promptly began to try to create the best team to attend, under vice president Joel Julien in place of president Vernon Ramesar, who was scheduled to be overseas.

The team also included former president Francesca Hawkins and Dr Sheila Rampersad, both of whom, under the former executive, were familiar with the bill. It was also felt that photo journalist Mark Lyndersay and his experience in matters concerning technology and the media would be an integral addition to the team, plus floor member Julien Neaves.

“It was felt that the team of Julien, Hawkins, Rampersad, Lyndersay and Neaves would be a good mix representing MATT at the JSC. Sadly however work commitments forced Neaves to have to miss the meeting.”

MATT was also due to hold an emergency meeting of members last Saturday on all ongoing issues.

“Due to a mix-up in communication this did not happen. This mix-up was inexcusable,” the association admitted, “and all the members of the MATT executive accept full responsibility for all failings in this regard.

“Members should not have been caught off guard hearing about today’s session. Mr Ramesar has been notified of all ongoing issues.”

The meeting was originally to have been held in private but at the last minute the JSC decided to hold it in public.

“MATT in its presentation was adamant that there must be exemptions for journalists in the Cyber Crime Bill,” the statement said.

MATT said it was seeking consensus among its members on two clauses to reply to the Government’s call to MATT to offer options. “As the Government seems to be adamant about passage of the Cyber Crime Bill and because we know the implications this will have for the media, we are now calling for an emergency meeting with all MATT members and members of the media in general on March 24. This proposed legislation affects us.”