The Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) said in a statement yesterday that any attack on the freedom of the press is a direct attack on democracy and basic human rights. The group, through its chair, Richard Joseph, expressed great concern about the allegation regarding the role of the Prime Minister's close adviser in threatening members of the press. "The public should take very seriously any attack against the press by persons of power or influence associated with the Government," he said.
"The press plays an important role in protecting our democracy, and we should guard against any attempts to muzzle or intimidate it.
"We believe that if the police have sufficient evidence of criminal activity they must prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. "If there is evidence and the police do not prosecute, they will be reinforcing the view that influential persons are not subject to the full consequences of the law. "This will only serve to undermine our social fabric and trust in the institutions that support law and order." TTTI emphasised that the press "serves a very important role in investigating, advocating and preserving the basic rights and freedoms of citizens and this role should never be threatened by the state or any of its agents."