There and back again: A TTT tale

FIFTY-SIX years since it aired its first broadcast, and 13 years after it was shut down to make way for the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG), state-owned media house TT Television (TTT) will once again be a cultural beacon for this country.

“TTT’s mandate is to be a tool to rebuild positives in society and give those willing to put positivity on a platform as we rebuild that concept in the media,” said Communications Minster Stuart Young, who oversaw the transition. TTT will bring back positive energy to counter the negative showcased in a media landscape that focuses on bacchanal, he said.

Young and the Prime Minister pressed play on the premier of new-look TTT, emphasising in their remarks at Television House, Maraval Road yesterday that the mandate of TTT will be to bring truth to citizens.

“One of the messages we want to share today and the purpose of TTT going forward is the responsibility of the media ensuring we give the public accurate news and not fall into the trap of misinformation,” Young said.

TTT’s mandate, then, is to “lead the charge” in providing “100 per cent accurate news and combat where necessary, fake news. TTT can be the gold-standard of broadcasting, Dr Rowley said.

Defending the decision to keep investing in state media, Rowley said at one point in his political career, he had seen the broadcaster’s devolution from “pristine pioneering to absolute abuse.”

“I was at the stage where I supported that the state ought not be involved, but over time, as I looked at the role it could play and has played abroad, I felt there was something,” he said, highlighting the success of UK and US state-funded media like the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

While there may be arguments that state-funded media is just an outlet for government propaganda for political purpose, Rowley said entities like the BBC and PBS have proved their purpose.

“There may be some truth (about state media being a mouthpiece for the government) because the government is the largest generator of news, so broadcasting it from the source without dilution must have some value,” he said, adding how he was among those who led the charge for the creation of the Parliament channel.

Another mandate of the revamped company will be to produce local content—not just distribute it—although it is already in deep discussions with local producers to begin airing content.

“Above being a news carrier, it’s more important for this generation of TTT to be a programme producer. Against this background, the Ministry of Finance will support TTT – to not just broadcast news and show other people’s content, but to produce content for local and external value.”

TTT’s first major broadcast will be the 56th annual Independence Day parade, airing today from 7:30 am, hearkening back to its very first airing on August 31, 1962 at midnight, as the Union Jack was lowered and the TT flag raised signalling the beginning of self-governance.