The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) condemns “vicious attacks” on journalists

Austin "Jack" Warner (File Photo)

The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) Friday condemned what it said were “vicious unwarranted attacks on working journalists” after National Security Minister Austin “Jack” Warner singled out an investigative reporter for criticism during a government sponsored television programme on Wednesday night.

MATT interim president Susan Sheppard said that the attacks “will not be tolerated” and “condemns the ongoing vicious smear campaigns being currently targeted at investigative journalists employed at the Trinidad Guardian and Express newspapers.

“We are making it clear that these journalists have been doing legitimate media investigations into certain matters and they now find themselves the target of several anonymous emails which have also been circulating on the Internet.

“As well they have been the focus of public attacks on television by senior politicians. MATT believes that these attacks in response to investigative reports reveal that these politicians have no valid basis to discredit the information that have so far unearthed by these journalists who are doing their jobs”.