Take careful look at bill

THE EDITOR: Journalism in TT is going through a torrid time as the economic bug bites. Journalists and media staffers are losing jobs faster than a speeding bullet, as media owners adjust their operations to stay buoyant. It is happening in the print and broadcast media.

However, while that is taking place up comes the Cybercrime Bill which is back on the front burner, and this must concern media owners and journalists who will have to operate under its clauses.

Media owners, namely the TT Publishers and Broadcasters Association must take the lead in examining (with the best legal brains) each clause carefully as it relates to freedom of the press enshrined in the Constitution. This they, as well as journalists under the umbrella of MATT, must be eternally vigilant.

May I remind publishers and journalists that the old people say all skin teeth is not laugh as politicians on both sides of the political divide have shown political power is a serious opium, afflicting the brain and thinking process, as there are some who feel the media should be controlled.

History has shown that press freedom in TT has not had an easy ride. I remind readers of a few examples. Remember the Trinidad Guardian’s battles with the late Dr Eric Williams, the Basdeo Panday/Ramesh Maharaj White Paper/Green Paper which was soundly and roundly dismissed with a huge march in Port of Spain some 22 years ago? And the weekly newspapers battles for newsprint and government advertising strangulation?

KEITH ANDERSON via e-mail