TTPBA: Media’s duty to inform will not change

LIFE will not be as it was before, however, the role of the media to inform will not change according to the TT Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) in the World Press Freedom Day commemoration release.

The theme for this year World Press Freedom Day is “Journalism Without Fear or Favour”. In their media release, the TTPBA saluted salute the media both locally and globally who have been in the front lines, sacrificing their own personal and psychological safety to get the stories out to the rest of the world.

“In an age of disinformation where truth is already compromised, largely due to social media, journalists and media houses are grappling with the reality of a “new normal” in a covid19 world. Globally the media have proven our significance in a time of crisis. The media is indeed the bridge between citizens and government, with independent media taking the lead as the most credible player.”

Transparency and freedom of information remains critical for the media to continue to do its job effectively TTPBA says as it thanked the Government for the daily media briefings on the updates of the covid19 pandemic. The applause comes as media practitioners across the globe have been arrests and assaults on journalists for reporting on the pandemic. Now, TTPBA says, is a time to appreciate that doing the right thing together is what can make the difference for our existence as they called on the Government to maintain an open line of communication.

“We have had reports of obstacles to accessing information and we hope that the government will continue to work towards communication models with regularly updated data and respond to requests for further information. This pandemic has proven the importance of data and immediate information.”

The TTPBA said the media proved itself as an essential service and as an industry, is faced with the same grave economic uncertainty like most other business sectors. New business models and innovative approaches may arise as a result and in the past, in other times of slow economic growth, consolidation, mergers and acquisitions were made.

“What the media will look like in a reshaped economy is undetermined. The advertising revenue decline in March and April 2020 is approximately fifty percent. Life will never be as it was before and we must adapt. What remains the same is the commitment of our media to the public’s right to know.”