[UPDATED] Kamla: PNM trying to force media to bump off UNC election ads

United National Congress political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has slammed certain media houses whom she alleged had tried to get her party's executive to reallocate airtime – already paid for and booked by the UNC – to another political party. Two media houses contacted by Newsday disputed that claim.

In a statement on March 21, she called on media houses to honour the UNC's pre-booked and pre-paid advertising slots and broadcast arrangements for the April 28 general election.

"The UNC has been contacted by various media houses on behalf of the PNM to request the relinquishing of almost fifty per cent of our prime advertising and broadcast spots for the 2025 general election to the PNM."

She said the UNC had prepared for the 2025 general election by pre-booking and pre-paying for these advertising and broadcast spots since November 2024.

"The PNM, clearly in chaos, called an election date without booking their advertising campaign slots and are now requesting and in some instances demanding that media houses bump UNC ads and broadcasts in favour of PNM advertising.

"This is grossly unfair and unethical."

Persad-Bissessar said the PNM hierarchy were the only ones who knew the election date, yet they failed to prepare.

"The UNC was proactive and committed significant time and resources in preparation for the general election since last year.

"We call on all media houses to do the right thing and honour the UNC’s pre-booked and pre-paid media arrangements."

Newsday tried but was unable to contact PNM campaign manager Rohan Sinanan for a comment, who by press time had not replied to questions sent via text messages.

Party PRO Faris Al-Rawi said he had not seen the UNC statement, but wondered if it was newsworthy.

Officials representing two television stations later told Newsday that the UNC statement was not the case, while a third station refused to comment.

One Caribbean Media (OCM), the parent company for TV6, sent Newsday a statement by its CEO.

"All UNC pre bookings will be honoured by OCM media houses.

"Any adjustments will only be done with the expressed approval of the UNC party."

TTT CEO Adrian Winter, in a statement to Newsday said, "This has certainly not been the experience at TTT Ltd."

Guardian Media Ltd head of sales Stephano Olliviere said "No comment" and hung up the phone.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has slammed certain media houses which she claimed have tried to get her party's executive to reallocate airtime – already paid for and booked by the UNC – to another political party.

In a statement on March 21, she called on media houses to honour the UNC's pre-booked and pre-paid advertising slots and broadcast arrangements for the April 28 general election.

"The UNC has been contacted by various media houses, on behalf of the PNM, to request the relinquishing of almost fifty per cent of our prime advertising and broadcast spots for the 2025 general election to the PNM," she said in the statement.

She said the UNC had prepared for the general election by pre-booking and pre-paying for these advertising and broadcast spots since November.

"The PNM, clearly in chaos, called an election date without booking their advertising campaign slots and are now requesting, and in some instances, demanding that media houses bump UNC ads and broadcasts in favour of PNM advertising.

"This is grossly unfair and unethical!"

Persad-Bissessar said the PNM hierarchy was the only ones who knew the election date, yet they failed to prepare.

"The UNC was proactive and committed significant time and resources in preparation for the general election since last year.

"We call on all media houses to do the right thing and honour the UNC’s pre-booked and pre-paid media arrangements."