The Voice Newspaper, which was officially launched in 2014, is said to be non-operational and its office in Chaguanas is currently being dismantled.
The weekly newspaper first went to press on May 6, 2014, and was distributed nationwide the following day–its headline "Dana knew too much about...Family Ties."
The paper was initially priced at $2. However, after a few weeks sales declined significantly and as a result a decision was made to distribute the paper free across T&T.
The paper was reportedly owned and funded by the then People's Partnership government.
However, in a previous interview with the T&T Guardian, the editor Alana D'abreau denied this, saying it was a private entity with no political affiliations. D'abreau had also then denied that the then CEO of CNMG, Ken Ali, was affiliated with the paper.
T&T Guardian was informed that the doors to Voice Media Ltd (VML), Main Road, Chaguanas, remained closed after the general election on September 7.
Speaking with its landlord yesterday at his home, Ramesh Lallan confirmed that three weeks ago he was contacted by an official at VML and told that operations have ended at the paper and that the offices will soon be dismantled and their things moved out.
"This weekend they began moving out things in the storeroom area and this coming week they will begin to move out the office furniture and everything else in there," Lallan said.
Asked how much rent VML was paying on a monthly basis, Lallan replied: "$10,000 a month and they were here for 18 months."
Contacted yesterday for comment, VML's marketing manager Neil Ramdath, who was formerly a radio announcer, said he has been advised by members of the VML Board that operations at the paper have not been terminated but rather put on hold for a short period of time.
"This, I understand it is to assess the situation. It happened right after the election. I understand that there have been regular meetings where plans are being discussed as to the next step for the paper," Ramdath said.
Asked how profitable the paper was, Ramdath said: "Like any other business, for the first two years there would be no profit. I have no knowledge that it was being funded by the then government either but what I do know is that we used to get ads from various organisations."
The paper openly reflected all work and activities being done under the then People's Partnership government.
Asked if the paper will continue in the coming months, and whether or not it will be leaning towards the former government, which now forms the Opposition, Ramdath replied: "I cannot say so or otherwise. I cannot say what its agenda will be and for me to take a position, would be unfair. I do know that strategies would be changing."
Asked when last he has been in contact with the editor, D'Abreau, Ramdath said he had not spoken to her for "quite a while."
When asked when was his last contact with Ali and whether or not Ali had any say with the alleged putting on hold of the paper, Ramdath would only say: "I read and heard that he (Ali) has been removed from CNMG and I have not been in contact with him since before the general election."
When contacted for comment yesterday, one of the financiers of VML, who wished for his name not to be quoted, said the paper has not been shut down but has been placed back onto the drawing boards for rebranding purposes.
"It is not running presently but we will be coming back under new management, new theme and rebranded. A new team will be re-established at the paper," the financier, who was solely in charge of the financial operations at VML said.
Reached yesterday D'abreau said: "I don't know anything about that." She then hung up.