Imbert: MEDIA NOT BALANCED !Media reports not balanced —minister

[AirMan]

Media reports not balanced —minister
Gail Alexander
Published: 15 Mar 2010
Gail Alexander / Trinidad Guardian

It may be time for the local media to follow the example of the US and UK press and declare any partisan interests they may have, says PNM Minister Colm Imbert. Imbert suggested the move yesterday when asked about the ruling PNM’s reaction to the firestorm of controversy surrounding state agency Udecott, former chairman Calder Hart and statements by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and former minister Keith Rowley. Imbert said: “This too shall pass... in political life a week is a long time. One day you’re on top of the mountain and the next day down in the valley and so on—political life is not for the faint-hearted.”

Imbert claimed the media was “not balanced in reporting everything.” He added: “I see things being suppressed and other things being given prominent coverage. I see submissions made before the Uff Commission which are damaging to certain people being ‘buried,’ but when a submission is made which scandalises someone in the government system, it is given full prominence. “When you look at what is said, they are both equally important, but when something is unfavourable to the Government it is given prominence and front page,” said Imbert. “The media has every right to choose to publish whatever it wants as it is an independent, free press. If people want to publish a blank page that’s their business and their right..Read the rest ..http://guardian.co.tt/news/politics/2010/03/15/media-reports-not-balanced-minister

[ann3boys]

so what? first he says they not fair- then he says the press is free-
what's the point of talking then?
if we free then we free- hush

[truetrini]

so what? first he says they not fair- then he says the press is free-
what's the point of talking then?
if we free then we free- hush

But the media is unbalanced and insipid and thoughtless and never do proper research.

[Sando prince]

so what? first he says they not fair- then he says the press is free-
what's the point of talking then?
if we free then we free- hush

But the media is unbalanced and insipid and thoughtless and never do proper research.

True..sometimes it shows very CLEARLY..

[Brownsugar]

Yuh know I so fed up ah these people, even though Imbert is correct, ah cyar stand to hear them no more....
Besides, Imbert, all yuh have CNMG to tell we what the government is doing use it nah.....

[ann3boys]

I do agree that there are flaws in some of the media that gets out there but there is also a very simple solution- if you find the guardian writing rubbish- either write to the editor to correct the errors- or stop buying that paper and stop reading it...
freedom gives us choices..

[truetrini]

I do agree that there are flaws in some of the media that gets out there but there is also a very simple solution- if you find the guardian writing rubbish- either write to the editor to correct the errors- or stop buying that paper and stop reading it...
freedom gives us choices..

ho-hum!  That is your solution beyond writing the editor?

The Minister was correct that is the bottom line!  ALL T&T Media is lacking and that has been a point of debate here forever.

[ann3boys]

the point of not buying or supporting the printed media is for them to feel the economic impact of their reporting.
If there are no consequences to biased reporting, then it will continue- and the only valid consequence in a society that values freedom of speech is the economic voice of the people. boycott...swamp them with letters...keep them on their toes- that is the only way.
If a reporter is biased, then their editor is supposed to ensure that news items are backed up with facts. An opinion piece is just that- the writer's opinion. They are therefore allowed to be biased. How could that be wrong?
We have to decide if we want freedom or control by government. can't have it both ways.

There's a regulation in place that the government gives all stations - radio and television certain programmes that they MUST play at least so many times per day. Some days when one of these progs is on it is on all the TV stations. The stations cannot refuse these instructions. the government cannot say the people don't get the message. what they can say is that too many people probably choose to turn off our sets or switch to cable instead of watching what they put for us to watch.

[truetrini]

the point of not buying or supporting the printed media is for them to feel the economic impact of their reporting.
If there are no consequences to biased reporting, then it will continue- and the only valid consequence in a society that values freedom of speech is the economic voice of the people. boycott...swamp them with letters...keep them on their toes- that is the only way.
If a reporter is biased, then their editor is supposed to ensure that news items are backed up with facts. An opinion piece is just that- the writer's opinion. They are therefore allowed to be biased. How could that be wrong?
We have to decide if we want freedom or control by government. can't have it both ways.

There's a regulation in place that the government gives all stations - radio and television certain programmes that they MUST play at least so many times per day. Some days when one of these progs is on it is on all the TV stations. The stations cannot refuse these instructions. the government cannot say the people don't get the message. what they can say is that too many people probably choose to turn off our sets or switch to cable instead of watching what they put for us to watch.

OK so now reporters are allowed to print their opinions..ok, thanks did not know that.

So much for the impartial press...thanks again

[fishs]

 The media here might be unbalanced and overly critical of government but at least they consistent and non discriminatory where governments are concerned.

Eric Williams called the Guardian the St Vincent st Jamette.
They insinuate that Chambers was duncey by repeatedly making heavy weather of his education.
We all know how much licks NAR got.
Panday was at war with them all the time.
Manning and co should not expect any favors.

[sammy]

Panday was tooting the same tune while he was in power. So who is the media for? COP? they weren't around in the 90's. Besides, there are pro government talk show hosts on the radio likewise anti government. Imbert just bussing he gumb because the media was upfront in keeping the UDECOTT fiasco alive. Government needs the trini 9 day mentality, but the media of today is slowly but surely changing this phenomenon.

[truetrini]

Panday was tooting the same tune while he was in power. So who is the media for? COP? they weren't around in the 90's. Besides, there are pro government talk show hosts on the radio likewise anti government. Imbert just bussing he gumb because the media was upfront in keeping the UDECOTT fiasco alive. Government needs the trini 9 day mentality, but the media of today is slowly but surely changing this phenomenon.

THE T&T MEDIA IS HORRENDOUSLY UNBALANCED.  REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ARE REPORTING.

Additionally, they have poor editorial standards, proofreading that is almost nonexistent, reporters that cannot get the FACTS correct most of the time, and innuendo too bad.

FACT!

[AirMan]

No one to defend PM
Analyst:
Ria Taitt Political Editor
Thursday, March 18th 2010

The Prime Minister does not have around him individuals who have the necessary political experience, political intellect and political capability to defend the Government on sensitive issues, political scientist, Derek Ramsamooj said yesterday.

Interviewed by the Express on the current political pressure under which Prime Minister Patrick Manning is operating, Ramsamooj said the Prime Minister ’is indeed under serious pressure when it comes to the delivery of public goods’.

’This lack of delivery is putting his government under intense public scrutiny, whether it relates to the delivery of water, the capacity to make Trinidad and Tobago a safe country, his development strategy of investing in infrastructure to stimulate national development, his entire mode of national development is now coming under public scrutiny. There seems to be a major conflict when it comes to not only the implementation of his political rhetoric, but more importantly the relevance of his national plans and programmes towards the well-being of Trinidad and Tobago’. Read the rest http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/nart?id=161610059

[sammy]

Steups.

Ria Taitt and Derek Ramsarooj are both stinking UNC and they bent on making the PNM ministers look duncee and want to bring down the government.

Great is the PNM and it shall prevail! damn it!

[Daft Trini]

Off the Topic

Just a question...
So in the last election if UNC and Cop combined votes, would they have beaten PNM?

[Brownsugar]

Off the Topic

Just a question...
So in the last election if UNC and Cop combined votes, would they have beaten PNM?

Nope...

Steups.

Ria Taitt and Derek Ramsarooj are both stinking UNC and they bent on making the PNM ministers look duncee and want to bring down the government.

Great is the PNM and it shall prevail! damn it!

Ah cyar help but chuckle at the the "damn it!"   

[sammy]

Off the Topic

Just a question...
So in the last election if UNC and Cop combined votes, would they have beaten PNM?

They may have had more votes in total, but remember its the amount of votes in the various constituencies that count. I dont think that all the people that voted forcop would've necessarily vote for unc.

[ann3boys]

the editor makes sure 'that news items are backed up with facts. '
that was my point- a reporter (news items) is not the same as a feature writer (opinions)
I guess I didn't say it right or something...

[AirMan]

Why the Prime Minister and Govt losing war for the minds
by Tony Fraser, Trinidad Guardian


The Prime Minister and his handlers may feel they won the battle of the news
conference last week; but the more critical assessment required is one to
determine how the PM and Govern- ment fare in the war for minds and hearts of
the watching public.
Indeed, it could be that the Prime Minister and the Government scored even lower
in the public opinion stakes because of Mr Manning’s manoeuvrings, wanderings. Read the rest http://www.tntinsider.com/commentary/03483/3483/