De Nobriga: TTT can inspire patriotism in youth

MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for communications Symon de Nobriga has expressed hope Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) will continue creating content for young people to inspire patriotism in them.

He told Newsday in a telephone interview TTT had created a platform for local content that they had been continuing to build on.

“I see TTT’s role as helping to solidify a sense of national pride, particularly in young people.”

He said TTT sat on a “treasure trove” of local content and historical content.

“Where I see TTT’s real value is in terms of creating that platform, on both free to air cable and their online platform, for local and diaspora audiences that will allow us to see story of the nation. I do hope they continue to strive to create content for young people to get a sense of who we are as a nation and who they are as Trinbagonians.”

On Wednesday he met with TTT chairman Ronda Francis and CEO David Roberts before touring the organisation.

In a release, de Nobriga said he would provide the support TTT needed to advance its Live for Local agenda. He also said the rich legacy of the state-owned company would be pivotal in engendering a sense of patriotism.

“I think that our ability to tell the story of the nation from a national perspective is extremely important. We must find a way to tell our story to a younger audience. We need to instil a sense of national pride, and I see TTT taking the lead in this regard.”

He also said: “It is really about how I can facilitate TTT to be the best version of itself. I look forward to my relationship with the chairman and CEO bearing fruit.”

De Nobriga told Newsday the conversation with the chairman and CEO was a broad one and included a historical perspective of the station, the online platform, the reach to the diaspora, and activities in its second year of operation (since CNMG was rebranded as TTT in August 2018).

“I got a feel for the aspirations of the CEO as spearhead of operations, the chairman’s vision for the company, where they saw gaps that needed to be closed and how they are planning to do that.”

He explained the “gaps” cited were in terms of operations and who they were trying to reach with the content. Asked if there was any conversation about the need for additional funding de Nobriga said that did not come up.

“It was a wide and broad conversation to get a sense of where the organisation is. I did not get into the granular nature of plans. I will allow TTT to do what it is doing. I wanted to get a sense of what is happening and where I can assist, and to let them know support exists in this office.”

He said it was the first of many conversations planned with TTT over the next few months. He also said, over the coming weeks, he would be focusing on meeting with other state boards under his purview, namely Nalis, Board of Film Censors and National Archives, and other bodies important to him, namely the Media Association of TT and TT Publishers and Broadcasters Association.