Some $90 million was shelled out by the former People's Partnership administration last year to keep its media operations going, Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie said yesterday.
He made the comment while speaking at the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) Eighth Biennial General Assembly, themed "The Future of State Media in the Caribbean," at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain.
Cuffie said the State, through CNMG, GISL and Parliament, owns three television stations, four radio stations and three cable channels.
But speaking about the exorbitant sum spent on their operations last year, he said, "In a contracting economy and with depressed energy prices, this appears untenable.
We need to decide whether this is a good use of Government resources, while each day people are crying for better roads, houses and drainage.
"This, moreso, in a country in which already, there are 37 radio stations, 10 television stations, three daily newspapers, the Internet, including Facebook and Whatsapp, hundreds of cable TV channels and more, much more to come when we go digital."
Cuffie, a former newspaper editor and columnist, said yesterday's event was his first official function as minister, adding that he felt a great sense of pride that the invitation had come from his former media colleagues.
"I use the words 'former media colleagues' advisedly, since I recognise that there is mutual distrust among journalists and politicians, and that our system of government is all the more healthy for it,"he said.
"And the fact that I have now practiced in both arenas has only served to make me distrusted on both sides."
He said part of his job was to bring awareness to Government of the importance of the media as a key element of the governance process.
"And I think that, unlike previous administrations, which have simply appended communications to other ministries, this administration recognises the importance of communications to good governance," Cuffie said.
On the issue of the State owning media houses, he said this was often viewed as an oxymoron as it was often believed the government should have no role in owning media of any kind.
"That is why we have moved to install independent directors at the State-owned media companies as we chart a new direction for these organisations.
At the same time, we respect those who see a role for the state in media ownership and no doubt, the views expressed today will assist in refining our final positions on the issue," he said.
He added that his first priority, in tandem with the mandate of the Government, is to restore confidence in existing State media and ensure that this is devoid of political agenda, propaganda and politicking.
"I challenge anyone to assert that after more than $90 million spent, they feel either better informed, entertained or even better prepared by state media to face the challenges we know are confronting us today," Cuffie asserted.
"Let us be reminded, as media practitioners and disseminators of information, we must do what is necessary to regain or enhance the confidence of those we are entrusted to inform.
We need to keep faith with those who depend on us to provide trusted, timely and reliable information."