International Freedom of Expression Exchange: The global network for free expression
13 February 1996
Alert
Staff of "Trinidad Guardian" harassed
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdco Panday said on 2
February 1996 that journalists from the daily "Trinidad Guardian" would not be allowed access to government information until the paper's editor-in-chief, Jones Madeira, was fired. He contacted Anthony Sagba, chairman of the ANSA McAl group, the newspaper's financial controller, to demand Madeira's dismissal.
Panday's action followed an editorial published in the "Trinidad
Guardian" which asked him to prove his statement that the
opposition People's National Movement was planning violent
demonstrations in order to destabilize the government. Panday
said that Madeira, who wrote the editorial, had in effect called
him a liar. On 7 February, Panday temporarily lifted the ban on
access to government information.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
"Trinidad Guardian"
the newspaper can do their work without obstruction or
intimidation
Appeals To
His Excellency Mohammed Hassanali
President of the Republic
Trinidad and Tobago
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
Source:
Reporters Without Borders
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
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