Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar says she was alarmed to learn of what appeared to be an unofficial government policy of granting exclusive access to state owned media house TTT, while limiting private media on certain assignments.

Persad-Bissessar says this is tantamount to censorship, and sets a dangerous precedent.

“Let me be clear – this policy is tantamount to state censorship of our independent media. And it is yet another glaring red flag that this PNM government views itself as a dictatorial regime that is above the rule of law and doesn’t need to answer to the public,” she said in a statement.

“State media house Trinidad and Tobago Television plays a vital role in the media landscape of our nation. Its duty is to provide information free from external commercial and political influences.  It is clear that the Rowley regime has now reduced it to nothing more than an organ of political propaganda.”

In a report by News At 7’s Kejan Haynes which aired on Monday, it was stated that Minister de Nobriga said the  was being done to give TTT an advantage against its competitors.

Particular reference was made to the repatriation exercise for 700 Venezuelans which took place over the weekend, in which TTT journalists and cameramen were allowed access inside the Cruise Ship Complex, while private media personnel were told to wait outside. 

But Communications Minister Symon de Nobriga today denied the policy was a real one, saying he had made the comment as a lighthearted joke which was not meant to be taken seriously.

“Given the large numbers and in keeping with the health protocols it was determined that only TTT and the Information Division would have access; however the Director of Government Communications had been instructed to ensure that all footage of the event be made available to all media houses once they requested same,” the Minister said.