I have always held a couple of our reporters/writers/ columnists in the highest regard because of their superb ability to report information impartially. However, I have been unobtrusively observing a trend for some journalists/columnists and reporters to report skewed commentaries based on what transpires in Parliament. Attention is particularly drawn to the sitting of the Upper House (Senate) on April 26. I would like to suggest that all reporters/journalists request a copy of the Hansard like I do to ensure the accurate reporting of information. I highlight the following: Some reporters pontificated on the Attorney General's statements regarding the appointments of the current director and deputy director of the FIU. What they neglected to say was that the Attorney General clearly stated that the PP Government was just following the precedent set by the former regime (PNM) when, during its tenure in office, it appointed a court executive administrator on contract.
The court executive administrator is part of the Public Service and falls under the purview of the Salaries Review Commission, which means that it is a post on the establishment as opposed to a contract position. Moreover, it is a judicial post and falls under the remit of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and as such it is the appointing authority. However, the then Executive arm of the Government (the PNM Cabinet under Patrick Manning) appointed someone to the position of court executive administrator on contract due to the salience of the office and its critical functions until the correct appointing body could have completed the entire human resources functions (advertise, shortlist from a pool of applicants, interview, select and appoint). This process in the Public Service, we all know, takes an inordinate amount of time (several months/years) and as such critical positions like the FIU and the court executive administrator cannot wait months/years to have a head/director because of the importance of these bodies.
The Attorney General clearly stated that, given the same circumstances and the nation facing the daunting condemnation of being "blacklisted," a director and deputy director were appointed on contract. This decision was made after a series of consultations with several legal luminaries like Senior Counsel Russell Martineau (former Attorney General under the PNM regime). The Attorney General had also stated that the Public Services Commission (PSC) had initially indicated that it was uncertain about whether the appointing of director/deputy director of the FIU fell under its charge. The PSC counsel was unsure about the preceding issue. However, a couple of weeks after, a subsequent statement was issued, revealing that the same counsel had advised that the PSC was the legitimate body responsible for appointing a director and deputy director of the FIU. The Attorney General underscored that the executive arm of the former government (PNM Cabinet under Patrick Manning) unconstitutionally and illegally appointed a "director designate" and a "deputy director designate." Such positions are non-existent.
In sum, I urge all reporters/writers/columnists and journalists to live up to the sound/high journalistic ideals that you should be known for and not stoop to the disgraceful "party politicking." The nation relies on you to present the facts and information as accurately and impartially as possible. I am not a fan of the PP nor of the PNM but I firmly believe in sound and irrefutable journalistic and writing integrity.
Newman Alvin Hyatali
Westmoorings