Young denounces social media attacks on female journalists

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Stuart Young has denounced social media attacks on female journalists.

In a message commemorating World Press Freedom Friday, Young described people who attack journalists online as cowards..

He said: "Even here in our twin-island state we have cowardly attacks on our media personnel especially on social media, and disturbingly, focused on some of our female journalists. I denounce this behaviour of attacks on our journalists and the cowards who do it. We must reflect on this as well."

He noted a recent report from the Committee to Protect Journalists found that some 54 journalists lost their lives in 2018, seeking facts, uncovering truth and shining the spotlights on issues which some prefer to keep hidden and away from the people.

"2018 has been labelled a brutal year for journalists. We must stop and acknowledge their contributions. Many of us will recall the horrific killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who went to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and was never seen again."

He also spoke of a prominent young journalist was killed during a night of rioting in Londonderry in Northern Ireland in what the police have described as a "terrorist incident."

He pointed out the theme for this year is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.”

"I want to give the assurance that the Government of TT will always stand on the side of a free press, as we all seek to build a stronger and healthier nation. I must caution however, that in this era of fake news, the role of the media in TT must become more critical, more probing, more discerning, so as to protect its integrity and the integrity of journalists, by fact-checking information."